Understanding the Five Imposter Profiles - Perfectionist, Expert, Natural Genius, Soloist & Superhuman

The Counselling Cove
Nov 18, 2025
4 min read

Updated: Nov 21, 2025

When people come to counselling with burnout, it’s often not just about being “too busy” -though that can absolutely play a role. Burnout is often tangled up with the inner critic, perfectionist tendencies, and the hidden rules we place on ourselves: rules about how we should behave, achieve, or show up as a “good” parent, partner, colleague, or human.

These invisible expectations often overlap with the Imposter Phenomenon - where capable, intelligent people privately doubt their competence and measure themselves against impossible standards.

Researcher Valerie Young identified five “Imposter Profiles,” each with its own hidden rule that can quietly fuel stress, overwork, and exhaustion. Many people recognise themselves in more than one. When I explore these with clients, it’s common to hear a mix of groaning and laughter followed by, “Can I be all five?” And yes - absolutely. I relate to this myself at times. Many of us are far harder on ourselves than we’d ever dream of being with someone we care about. (If this resonates, you may also like my blog on the inner critic.)

Have a read and see if one - or several - sound familiar.

1. The Perfectionist

The rule: “If I’m truly competent, I must do everything perfectly, every time.”

What this looks like: Impossibly high standards, double- and triple-checking your work, and worrying about even the tiniest mistakes.

How it fuels burnout: The perfectionism–procrastination loop is exhausting. The fear of “getting it wrong” makes genuine rest feel out of reach - there’s always “just one more thing” to improve.

2. The Expert

The rule: “If I’m really competent, I should already know everything.”

What this looks like: Collecting qualifications, courses, or endless trainings… yet still feeling like you’re not knowledgeable enough. Holding back from contributing because, “What if I get something wrong?”

How it fuels burnout: The urge to constantly upskill keeps you in overdrive. Even when you’re highly capable, self-doubt can push you to overwork to prove yourself.

3. The Natural Genius

The rule: “If I’m capable, I should master things quickly and easily.”

What this looks like: Expecting yourself to get things right straight away. Feeling embarrassed or discouraged when something takes practice, time, or effort.

How it fuels burnout: When tasks feel hard, Natural Geniuses often push themselves harder instead of slowing down or asking for help. Struggle is interpreted as a personal flaw rather than a normal part of learning - making challenges feel heavy and draining.

4. The Soloist

The rule: “If I’m competent, I shouldn’t need help.”

What this looks like: Avoiding asking for support, downplaying your achievements if anyone else was involved, and carrying responsibilities alone - even when you’re overwhelmed.

How it fuels burnout: Without shared load or support, everything becomes heavier. Soloists often burn out simply because they never allow themselves to be held.

5. The Superhuman

The rule: “If I’m really competent, I must excel in every role I take on.”

What this looks like: Trying to be exceptional at work, at home, in relationships, in parenting, friendships, volunteering, and everything in between. Pushing yourself to “do it all,” flawlessly.

How it fuels burnout: There’s no “off switch” when you believe you must perform at 110% in every area of life. This profile is especially common among women, who are often expected to work like they don’t have a family and parent like they don’t have a job.

Why this matters

Each profile is built on a misunderstanding about what it means to be competent. And when you’re already stretched thin, these beliefs quietly turn up the pressure - demanding more of you than any human can give.

Whether you identify as a perfectionist, a high-achiever, or someone simply trying their best, these rules can make life feel impossibly heavy.

Recognising your Imposter Profile can be a gentle first step in:

Noticing the harsh rules when they show up
Challenging those rules with compassion and realism
Softening the self-criticism and making room for rest
Creating a more sustainable way of working, parenting, and living

How counselling can help

In counselling, we explore these hidden rules together - not to judge them, but to understand where they came from and why they feel so powerful. We look at the pressures you’ve been carrying, the stories you’ve been told about success or worthiness, and the beliefs that might be draining you without you even realising.

Together, we work toward:

Building self-compassion (the antidote to burnout)
Setting boundaries that honour your real limits
Challenging unrealistic expectations with kindness, not criticism
Finding rest without guilt
Creating new ways of living that support your wellbeing, not deplete it

Burnout doesn’t mean you’re weak - far from it - it often means you’ve been strong for far too long, under silent rules no one could ever meet. You don’t have to untangle this alone.

If you would like to explore this further, I offer counselling from my private practice in Caringbah, Sutherland Shire, through Walk & Talk Therapy across southern Sydney, or via Telehealth Australia-wide.