"Should I really be doing this?!" Experiences of Imposter Phenomenon as an Emerging Music Therapist

Abstract

Imposter phenomenon (IP) is an internal experience often affecting high-achieving individuals who doubt their abilities, believe they are frauds, and find it challenging to attribute accomplishments to their own competencies. Situated within the author’s historical and socio-cultural context, this autoethnographic reflection explores themes in the IP literature including the role of early family history, the impact of the college-to-career transition, and the reality of working as a music therapist in a role-emerging setting. The critical theory of intersectionality and the idea of double consciousness are highlighted, and practical tools are provided to help emerging music therapists navigate and confront IP.