How Olympia Valance deals with Impostor Syndrome

Olympia Valance has opened up about the importance of tackling mental health struggles, crediting a certain figure with helping her deal with the stresses of being a woman in the spotlight.

Olympia Valance has spoken out about the importance of mental health. Picture: Steven Chee for Women’s Health

Olympia Valance has spoken about seeking therapy to deal with Impostor Syndrome.

Valance has opened up about the importance of mental health and her use of a psychologist in the new issue of Women’s Health magazine.

The Playing For Keeps star said she struggled with Impostor Syndrome early in her acting career.

Valance says it’s important to work on both mental and physical health. Picture: Steven Chee for Women’s Health

Valance credits her therapist for helping her work through Impostor Syndrome. Picture: Steven Chee for Women’s Health

“I especially felt it when I started on Neighbours – it was my first acting job … and

when you win a role, you’re like, ‘Really, me? Am I good enough? Oh my God, someone is going to find out and they’re going to fire me immediately. I don’t deserve to be here’,” Valance told the magazine.

“But chatting with my psychologist and friends, (I realised) it’s something everyone feels, regardless of their profession.

“I am a huge cheerleader for therapy. There is such a stigma around it, which I struggle to understand.

“If we have a sore shoulder or our stomach hurts, we see a doctor. So if our hearts hurt or are bruised, or we’re struggling to work through something mentally, why wouldn’t we ask for help?

Olympia Valance attended the tennis with AFL star boyfriend Tom Bellchambers this week. Picture: Fiona Hamilton/AAP

“I managed to find a psychologist who has created this safer space for me to unpack

whatever it is that I’m dealing with. She helped strengthen my self-awareness and gave me tools to cope day to day.”

Valance said therapy had helped her be more open and confident in her work.

“I think the big a-ha moment (for me, was discovering) the only person who can truly give you that validation is yourself,” she said.

“We also don’t have to have it all figured out all the time. It’s OK to ask questions, it’s

OK to say you have no idea what you’re doing.

“The more we lean into each other and just encourage that honesty and vulnerability, the better.”

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Valance also revealed her unexpected love for Harry Potter movies, saying watches the movies each night to help fall asleep.

She also sports tattoos of Potter’s glasses, a lightning bolt, an owl and the Deathly Hallows symbol.