Therapy for Actors: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome in the Acting Industry
This article is part of my Therapy for Actors Series. Explore more topics, including Managing Performance Anxiety On and Off Stage, Coping with Rejection and Building Resilience and Finding your Identity Beyond the Role.
You’ve landed the role, you’re on set, or maybe you’re standing in front of an audition panel. On the outside, everything looks great, but inside, there’s a voice telling you that you don’t belong here and that it’s only a matter of time before someone figures out you’re not as talented, prepared, or deserving as everyone thinks. Sound familiar?
That feeling has a name: Imposter Syndrome, and if you’re an actor, you’re definitely not alone in it.
Why Actors Are Prone to Imposter Syndrome
Acting is personal. You’re putting yourself out there, your voice, your body, your emotions, hoping it resonates with an audience or a casting director. You’re constantly being judged, rejected, and compared to others and then add to that the unpredictability of the industry, and it’s no wonder so many actors wrestle with feelings of self-doubt.
Imposter syndrome thrives in acting because the industry demands so much of you, not because there’s something wrong with you. These feelings are a common response to a tough profession, not a personal failing.
Here are a few reasons why imposter syndrome shows up so often for actors:
The comparison trap: Watching peers land roles or succeed while you wait for your next opportunity can stir up feelings of inadequacy.
Perfectionism: Many actors hold themselves to impossible standards, one bad audition can feel like proof you’re not good enough.
External validation: The industry often defines success by awards, recognition, or bookings and if work is slow, self-worth can take a hit.
Shifting roles: Playing different characters can sometimes blur your sense of self, making it harder to feel grounded in your own identity.
What Does Imposter Syndrome Feel Like?
You might notice thoughts like:
“I just got lucky.”
“They’re going to find out I’m a fraud.”
“I’m not as talented as people think I am.”
“I shouldn’t even be here.”
It can also show up in how you feel or act, maybe you’re constantly second-guessing yourself, feeling anxious before auditions, or finding it hard to enjoy any success you’ve worked for.
How Counselling Can Help Actors with Imposter Syndrome
This is where counselling can make a difference. In my practice at Roles We Play Counselling, I work with actors who struggle to quiet that critical inner voice. Therapy offers a confidential space where you can explore these feelings and work through them.
Here’s how counselling can help:
1. Understanding Where It Comes From
We often dig into early life experiences that shaped your beliefs about yourself, maybe you grew up in a family where achievement was everything, or you were told not to get "too big for your boots". Those messages can stick around and resurface in high-pressure situations, like a casting call or performance.
2. Challenging the Inner Critic
Using tools from Transactional Analysis (TA) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), we can identify and challenge the critical thoughts that feed imposter syndrome, we’ll look at where those beliefs come from and test whether they’re actually true.
3. Building a Stronger Sense of Self
Actors often slip between roles, which can leave you feeling disconnected from who you are outside of work. Therapy helps you reconnect with your values, strengths, and identity, so you’re not just “the actor,” but a whole person with self-worth that isn’t dependent on the next job.
4. Learning to Tolerate Success
This one’s big and one people often have trouble with. It can feel strange to accept praise or success without waiting for the other shoe to drop. Together, we work on sitting with those feelings and allowing yourself to feel proud of what you’ve achieved.
What to Expect in Counselling
If you’re an actor dealing with imposter syndrome, therapy with me at Roles We Play can offer:
Practical tools to manage anxiety before auditions or performances.
Exercises to challenge negative thinking, like reframing unhelpful beliefs.
Exploration of your identity, beyond the roles you play on stage or screen.
Emotional regulation skills to deal with rejection, criticism, or praise.
Some of the actors I work with find it helpful to explore ego states from TA, learning how their inner ‘Critical Parent’ voice might be running the show, and how to nurture their ‘Adult’ and ‘Nurturing Parent’ instead.
You’re Not a Fraud, You’re Just Human.
Imposter syndrome is exhausting but it doesn’t have to call the shots. If you’re an actor who feels stuck in self-doubt, counselling can offer a way forward. You can learn to own your success, trust your abilities, and feel more grounded in who you are.
Get in Touch
If any of this resonates with you, feel free to reach out. At Roles We Play Counselling, I offer online therapy for actors across the UK and in-person sessions in Beckenham. Together, we can work on quieting that imposter voice and helping you feel more confident in your craft.
Click here to book your free 15-minute consultation and find out how therapy could support you.
