Understanding Your Enneagram Type Can Support You In Therapy
Let’s look at how knowing your Enneagram type can support you in therapy!
But first, what is the Enneagram? The Enneagram is a personality model that categorizes individuals into nine different personality types based on their attitudes, motivations, and behaviors. The Enneagram suggests that each type has a specific set of core beliefs and patterns of thinking and behaving that influence their relationships and experiences. If you aren’t sure what Enneagram type you are, take this test from Enneagram Universe.
It can actually be quite helpful to have a deeper understanding of your core personality traits while pursuing therapy. Understanding your needs, motivations, fears and beliefs can increase self awareness and facilitate greater self compassion. The Enneagram Model is one of many personality models.
The Nine Enneagram Types:
TYPE 1 - THE PERFECTIONIST: These individuals are responsible, reliable, and perfectionistic. They have a strong sense of right and wrong and strive for perfection in all aspects of their lives.
TYPE 2 - THE HELPER: Helpers are empathetic, generous, and supportive. They have a strong desire to be needed and to make a positive difference in the world.
TYPE 3 - THE ACHIEVER: Achievers are driven, ambitious, and achievement-oriented. They are focused on achieving success and status in their personal and professional lives.
TYPE 4 - THE INDIVIDUALIST: Individualists are sensitive, introspective, and creative. They have a strong sense of self and a desire for authenticity and individuality.
TYPE 5 - THE INVESTIGATOR: Investigators are analytical, intellectual, and independent. They have a strong need for knowledge and understanding and value their independence.
TYPE 6 - THE LOYALIST: Loyalists are reliable, responsible, and hard-working. They have a strong sense of commitment and responsibility and value stability and security.
TYPE 7 - THE ENTHUSIAST: Enthusiasts are energetic, spontaneous, and optimistic. They have a strong zest for life and a desire for new experiences and adventures.
TYPE 8 - THE CHALLENGER: Challengers are assertive, independent, and self-confident. They have a strong sense of justice and a desire to take control and make things happen
TYPE 9 - THE PEACEMAKER: Peacemakers are easy-going, accepting, and peaceful. They have a strong desire for harmony and strive to avoid conflict and tension.
The Enneagram can be a helpful tool for therapy clients as it provides a framework for understanding and recognizing patterns of thinking and behavior. By becoming aware of their Enneagram type, clients can gain insight into their core motivations and patterns of relating to others, and can work to develop healthier ways of coping with challenges and conflicts.
The Enneagram can also be a helpful tool for couples in therapy, as it can provide a way for partners to better understand and communicate with each other. By understanding each other's Enneagram types, couples can gain insight into each other's perspectives and patterns of behavior, and can work to develop more effective ways of communicating and resolving conflicts.
It is important to note that while the Enneagram and other personality tests can help us identify some of our most dominant traits, they do not define us as an individual. Within each type there is plenty of nuance, and you may find that you demonstrate attributes from many different types in different situations. This is normal and part of being a complex human being.
Overall, the Enneagram is a valuable tool for therapy clients as it provides a way to gain insight into patterns of thinking and behavior and can help to facilitate personal growth and improvement.