Breaking the Cycle: Imposter Syndrome in Women Balancing Career and Family
If you’re a woman juggling a career and family, chances are you’ve felt it—that persistent hum of self-doubt, whispering, “You’re not doing enough.” Whether you’re sending a late-night email after bedtime stories or feeling guilty for missing a meeting due to a school pickup, imposter syndrome can creep into both your professional and personal life, making you feel like you're failing at both.
Here’s the hard truth no one says out loud: trying to "have it all" often feels like you're not doing any of it well. That’s where therapy for imposter syndrome in NYC comes in—helping you challenge unrealistic expectations, quiet the inner critic, and reconnect with your worth in every area of your life.
The Dual Pressure Nobody Prepares You For
Women are often expected to lead at work and lead at home—flawlessly. In the office, you’re pushing to be taken seriously, to rise through the ranks, to prove your worth in every meeting. At home, you’re managing emotional labor, remembering appointments, and trying to be present for the people who matter most.
So when you succeed in one area, you might feel like you're dropping the ball in the other. And when you try to do both? The internal voice of doubt can be relentless:
- “I’m a terrible mom for missing dinner again.”
- “I’m not cut out for this promotion.”
- “Someone’s going to realize I’m just barely holding it together.”
Imposter Syndrome Isn’t About Weakness—It’s About Expectations
It’s easy to assume imposter syndrome comes from a lack of confidence. But for many women, it’s actually the result of unrealistic expectations—the silent messages we’ve absorbed about what it means to be a “good” professional and a “good” mother, often with little overlap between the two.
We’re told to lean in at work while staying fully present at home. To delegate but still be in control. To chase our ambitions but never drop the mental load. That impossible standard breeds guilt and second-guessing, even in the most competent, accomplished women.
Breaking the Cycle Starts with Naming It
You can’t fight what you won’t name. Recognizing that imposter syndrome is a common—and often conditioned—experience is the first step in loosening its grip. Here’s what helps:
Talk about it: Find spaces (even just one trusted friend) where you can be real about the pressures you’re under. Vulnerability is contagious — and freeing.
Redefine success: Let go of perfection. Some days will be career-heavy, others will be kid-heavy. That doesn’t make you any less of a leader or a parent.
Ask for help: You don’t need to do it all alone. Support isn’t weakness—it’s smart leadership at home and at work.
Therapy For Imposter Syndrome Can Help You Rewire the Narrative
If imposter syndrome feels like a daily battle, consider therapy — especially online therapy for imposter syndrome, which fits flexibly into a busy schedule. A good therapist can help you untangle the guilt, challenge the double standards you’ve internalized, and rebuild your self-worth around who you are, not just what you do. Therapy with The Keely Group can be a powerful space to remind yourself that you’re allowed to want more, and you're not broken for feeling overwhelmed.
You’re Not an Imposter—You’re Human
Balancing a career and family isn’t easy, and it doesn’t come with a manual. But here’s the truth: you’re doing more than enough. You're modeling resilience, ambition, and care. The very fact that you worry about being enough is proof that you care deeply about both sides of your life.
Imposter syndrome may not disappear overnight. But the more we talk about it, the less power it holds. You’re not alone. You’re not failing. You’re just navigating something incredibly complex—and doing a better job than you think.
Feeling Stretched Too Thin? It Might Be Time to Try Therapy for Imposter Syndrome in NYC
You don’t have to keep pushing through the self-doubt alone. At The Keely Group, we help women like you find clarity, confidence, and balance through compassionate, evidence-based support. Reach out today to explore how therapy for imposter syndrome in NYC can help you feel grounded in both your career and family life. Follow these three simple steps to get started:
Read through our FAQ page to answer any lingering questions you may have about therapy for imposter syndrome.
Fill out our convenient online contact form to get in touch with a skilled therapist at The Keely Group.
Start pushing through self-doubt with support!
Additional Online Mental Health Services Offered at The Keely Group in NYC
At The Keely Group, we offer therapy for imposter syndrome in NYC to help you move beyond self-doubt, step into your strengths, and truly own your success. We recognize how the pressures of work and home can strain your sense of self and your relationships, which is why we provide convenient online therapy tailored for busy professionals. In addition to therapy for imposter syndrome, we offer a variety of services that support emotional resilience and help you feel more confident navigating life’s ups and downs. These include: