The Expert Myth: Impostor Phenomenon and Research Identity in Counselor Education.

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Title: The Expert Myth: Impostor Phenomenon and Research Identity in Counselor Education.
Authors: Cannon, Kristi B.1 kcannon1@uws.edu, Coker, Kelly2 kcoker@paloaltou.edu, Hepting, Trent3 thepting24853@ucumberlands.edu, Ramirez-Fiol, Lidian4 lramirezfiol@paloaltou.edu, Simmons, Robyn T.3 robyn.simmons@ucumberlands.edu
Source: Journal of Counselor Preparation & Supervision. 2026, Vol. 20 Issue 3, p1-14. 14p.
Subject Terms: *University faculty, *Corporate culture, *Education of counselors, Impostor phenomenon, Professional identity, Sociocultural factors, Mentoring
Abstract: Impostor Phenomenon (IP) affects counselor educators across career stages, yet it is often conceptualized as an individual deficiency rather than a systemically reinforced experience. This article frames IP in counselor education through the lens of the Expert Myth—a systemic pattern within academic culture that reinforces the expectation that faculty must consistently present as fully knowledgeable, productive, and self-assured to be regarded as credible. We examine how institutional cultures, publish-orperish pressures, and inadequate mentorship structures create and reinforce impostor feelings, particularly among marginalized faculty and those navigating researcher identity development. Drawing on existing literature, we propose that meaningful intervention requires systemic change at multiple levels of academic environments. Implications include creating sustainable mentorship models, normalizing vulnerability in scholarship, and cultivating research communities that affirm diverse expressions of scholarly identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of Counselor Preparation & Supervision is the property of North Atlantic Regional Association for Counselor Education & Supervision (NARACES) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
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PubType: Academic Journal
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  Data: The Expert Myth: Impostor Phenomenon and Research Identity in Counselor Education.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Cannon%2C+Kristi+B%2E%22">Cannon, Kristi B.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> kcannon1@uws.edu</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Coker%2C+Kelly%22">Coker, Kelly</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo><i> kcoker@paloaltou.edu</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Hepting%2C+Trent%22">Hepting, Trent</searchLink><relatesTo>3</relatesTo><i> thepting24853@ucumberlands.edu</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ramirez-Fiol%2C+Lidian%22">Ramirez-Fiol, Lidian</searchLink><relatesTo>4</relatesTo><i> lramirezfiol@paloaltou.edu</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Simmons%2C+Robyn+T%2E%22">Simmons, Robyn T.</searchLink><relatesTo>3</relatesTo><i> robyn.simmons@ucumberlands.edu</i>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Journal+of+Counselor+Preparation+%26+Supervision%22">Journal of Counselor Preparation & Supervision</searchLink>. 2026, Vol. 20 Issue 3, p1-14. 14p.
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  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22University+faculty%22">University faculty</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Corporate+culture%22">Corporate culture</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Education+of+counselors%22">Education of counselors</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Impostor+phenomenon%22">Impostor phenomenon</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Professional+identity%22">Professional identity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sociocultural+factors%22">Sociocultural factors</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mentoring%22">Mentoring</searchLink>
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  Data: Impostor Phenomenon (IP) affects counselor educators across career stages, yet it is often conceptualized as an individual deficiency rather than a systemically reinforced experience. This article frames IP in counselor education through the lens of the Expert Myth—a systemic pattern within academic culture that reinforces the expectation that faculty must consistently present as fully knowledgeable, productive, and self-assured to be regarded as credible. We examine how institutional cultures, publish-orperish pressures, and inadequate mentorship structures create and reinforce impostor feelings, particularly among marginalized faculty and those navigating researcher identity development. Drawing on existing literature, we propose that meaningful intervention requires systemic change at multiple levels of academic environments. Implications include creating sustainable mentorship models, normalizing vulnerability in scholarship, and cultivating research communities that affirm diverse expressions of scholarly identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of Counselor Preparation & Supervision is the property of North Atlantic Regional Association for Counselor Education & Supervision (NARACES) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        PageCount: 14
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      – SubjectFull: University faculty
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Corporate culture
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      – SubjectFull: Education of counselors
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      – SubjectFull: Impostor phenomenon
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      – SubjectFull: Professional identity
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      – SubjectFull: Sociocultural factors
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      – SubjectFull: Mentoring
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      – TitleFull: The Expert Myth: Impostor Phenomenon and Research Identity in Counselor Education.
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            NameFull: Cannon, Kristi B.
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            NameFull: Coker, Kelly
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            NameFull: Hepting, Trent
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            NameFull: Ramirez-Fiol, Lidian
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            NameFull: Simmons, Robyn T.
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            – D: 01
              M: 07
              Text: 2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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