Meet Emily Guarnotta

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Emily Guarnotta. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Emily, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

As a psychologist, I’ve spent years helping my clients name and navigate their own imposter syndrome. I could explain the cognitive distortions, the patterns of self-doubt, and the classic signs of feeling like a fraud who is just one step away from being “found out.” I had the professional language and the clinical tools. Until I became a mother.

Suddenly everything that I had learned felt distant. I felt like a complete novice in my new role. My inner dialogue said “You’re a psychologist, you should know how to handle this. You’re supposed to be an expert, but you can’t even figure out why your own baby is crying.” It was my first real lesson in how imposter syndrome thrives in the spaces where our identity shifts.

That feeling also came up when I decided to launch my company Phoenix Health. My mission was born from my own struggle to find specialized perinatal mental health support, but the leap from clinician to founder felt enormous. The voice returned again, but with a new script: “Who are you to start a company? You’re a therapist, not a CEO. What do you know about finance, marketing, or leading a team?”

I realized then that I couldn’t just know the tools to overcome imposter syndrome; I had to actively use them on myself. Overcoming it wasn’t a single event, but a conscious practice that involved three key shifts:

First, I had to separate the feeling from the facts. The feeling was that I was an imposter. The facts were that I had a doctorate in psychology, a certification in perinatal mental health, years of clinical experience, and a deep, firsthand understanding of the problem I was trying to solve. When the feeling of being a fraud would creep in, I learned to counter it by deliberately listing the evidence. I would remind myself, “I am qualified to do this. I am an expert in this specific area. My story matters.”

Second, I focused on action instead of perfection. Imposter syndrome loves to paralyze us with the fear of not doing something perfectly. I made a conscious choice to take small, imperfect actions every single day. Whether it was sending one more outreach email, hiring our first therapist, seeing our first patient through the practice, each action was a vote for my capability. It was a real-life application of behavioral activation: you don’t wait to feel confident to act; you act, and the confidence follows. The more I acted like a founder, the more the feeling of being one started to integrate.

Finally, I embraced the power of “me, too.” I started talking to other founders and other mothers, especially those who were also building businesses. What I found was a universal truth: everyone feels this way. Every successful person I admired had their own version of that internal self-doubt. Sharing that experience didn’t just normalize it; it stripped it of its power. The shame that thrives in isolation withers in the light of shared vulnerability.

My imposter syndrome definitely is not gone forever. Instead I’ve learned to see it for what it is: a sign that I’m challenging myself, that I’m stepping into a new arena, and that I care deeply about what I’m doing. Now, when that voice shows up, I don’t let it take over. Instead, I acknowledge it and then look at the facts and get back to the work of helping other mothers feel less alone.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My company, Phoenix Health, is the professional extension of my personal story. It’s an online therapy practice I founded to be the resource I so desperately needed when I was struggling with postpartum depression and anxiety. Our entire mission at a Phoenix Health is to provide specialized, compassionate, and accessible mental health care for individuals and families navigating the intense, and often isolating, journey of infertility, pregnancy loss, and the perinatal period.

What I feel is most special about what we do is that we are intentionally closing a huge gap in the healthcare system. The journey to and through motherhood is a profound identity shift, yet the mental health support for it is often fragmented, difficult to find, or not covered by insurance. We built Phoenix Health to fix that. Every one of our therapists is a specialist in perinatal mental health, many holding the advanced PMH-C certification. This means our clients don’t have to waste time explaining the nuances of their experience. They can rest assured that their provider is knowledgeable.

The most exciting part for me is seeing the ripple effect of this work. When we help a mother heal from birth trauma or find her footing in the fog of postpartum depression, we’re not just helping one person. We’re helping a family. We’re strengthening a parent-child bond. We’re creating a healthier foundation for the next generation.

As for what’s new, we are constantly growing to meet the immense need. We’ve recently expanded our team of psychologists and therapists, allowing us to offer telehealth services in over 40 states and continue to broaden our in-network insurance partnerships to make care even more affordable. We are relentlessly focused on ensuring that no matter where a mother is, she can access the specialized support she so richly deserves.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

As a clinical psychologist, I’ve spent years helping clients navigate imposter syndrome. I had the professional language for it, but when I became a mother, that knowledge felt distant. Holding my newborn, I felt like a complete novice, and a relentless internal voice told me, “You’re a psychologist, you should know how to handle this.” It was my first lesson in how imposter syndrome thrives when our identity shifts.

That feeling grew when I founded Phoenix Health. My mission was personal—born from my own struggle to find specialized perinatal mental health care—but the leap from clinician to founder felt enormous. The voice returned: “Who are you to build a national practice? You’re a therapist, not a CEO.”

Looking back, overcoming this required developing three key qualities:

Emotional Resilience: This is the ability to separate your feelings from the facts. My feelings told me I was a fraud; the facts were my training and experience. To build this skill, practice asking, “What’s the feeling versus what’s the evidence?” and ground yourself in the facts.

A Bias Toward Action: Imposter syndrome thrives on paralysis. Taking small, concrete steps, even when I felt unready, was crucial. Action creates data that disproves doubt. To cultivate this, break large goals into tiny, manageable wins to build momentum.

A Community of Support: Imposter syndrome wants to isolate you. Sharing my struggles with other founders and mothers was the most powerful way to dismantle the shame. To build this, be proactive: join groups, connect with peers, and be the first to be vulnerable.

I haven’t “overcome” imposter syndrome for good. I’ve just learned to see it as a sign that I’m growing and that I care deeply about my work. Now, when that voice shows up, I don’t let it drive. I acknowledge it, and then I get back to the work of helping other mothers feel less alone.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

A book that has had a profound impact on me both personally and professionally is The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. It’s a short book, but its wisdom is profound. It offers a code of conduct based on ancient Toltec wisdom. I’ve been able to apply its wisdom everywhere from the therapy room to the board room.

While all four agreements are powerful, two in particular have been most impactful in my journey:

1. Don’t Take Anything Personally.
This one is a daily practice. As a therapist, I’m trained to understand that what a client brings into the room is about their own world, their own history. This agreement takes that clinical concept and applies it to all of life. As a founder, it means understanding that when a potential partnership doesn’t work out, it’s a reflection of their own priorities, needs, and perspective, not a reflection of my worth or my vision. It allows you to receive information and feedback without letting it tug at your sense of self, which is an absolute superpower when you’re putting yourself out there every day.

2. Don’t Make Assumptions.
This agreement is the foundation of clear communication and empathy. In my clinical work, it’s a reminder to never assume I know what a client is feeling, but to ask with genuine curiosity. As a founder leading a team, it’s about creating a culture where we ask for clarity instead of assuming intent, which prevents misunderstanding and conflict. It’s also been invaluable as a mother. I can’t assume I know what my child needs; I have to observe, listen, and ask. This principle forces you to slow down and engage with the world and the people in it with more presence and respect.

The third nugget that I hold close is a nuance of the fourth agreement, “Always Do Your Best.” The book explains that your best will change day to day and moment to moment. Understanding this has helped me manage my perfectionism and prevent burnout. It encourages self-compassion by acknowledging that you are doing the best you can with the resources you have on any given day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.joinphoenixhealth.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dremilyguarnotta/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoinPhoenixHealth
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-guarnotta/