The Enneagram's Mirror: Reflecting on Motivations and Fears

Introducing the Enneagram

While my husband was in seminary, he worked at the school library. The counseling students came in by the dozens asking for books regarding the Enneagram. He figured if the counseling students were asking for something, it must be good. Yet, he had no clue the impact this personality assessment would have on his life or mine.

Being an Enneagram type 5, my husband did all the research on this fascinating tool. After reading multiple books, he came to me and said, “Whitney, you must be an Enneagram type 1.” I had no idea what that meant. He proceeded to explain all my deepest motivations in a way I did not even yet understand myself. 

Since then, I have been a lover of all things Enneagram!

Enneagram as a Framework of Understanding

This tool empowers me to know myself, and others and leads me in my work. I use it with clients, employees, and friends. 

At its core, the Enneagram is a personality assessment that acknowledges an individual’s own set of motivations, fears, and coping mechanisms. What makes the Enneagram truly unique is its recognition that these personality types are not static, but rather fluid and influenced by external factors such as stress or security. The Enneagram framework provides valuable insights into how individuals navigate and adapt to different situations, shedding light on their responses and behaviors.

By exploring the Enneagram, we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and others, fostering empathy and compassion in our interactions. Recognizing how we change in response to stress or security enables us to make conscious choices, allowing for personal growth and improved relationships. I believe that incorporating the Enneagram into our lives can bring about positive transformations, both on an individual level and within teams or organizations.

Knowing the Enneagram has helped me understand that not everything thinks and experiences emotions the same way I do. As I mentioned in the previous email, my husband is a 5 and I am a 1. Understanding these types, I no longer take it personally when my husband may have a different need than me such as personal space or time alone. The Enneagram allows me to honor others in a different way.

Using the Enneagram

I use the Enneagram with all of my clients. This tool speeds up the clinical work as it enables clients to understand themselves and their motivations more fully.

I hope this email finds you in good spirits. I wanted to bring your attention to the significant impact the Enneagram can have on therapists' self-awareness and their ability to provide exceptional therapy to their clients. As a dynamic system, the Enneagram offers valuable insights into understanding our own motives and behaviors, thereby empowering therapists to offer more effective and empathetic care.

By delving into the Enneagram, therapists gain a deeper understanding of their own personality type, along with the underlying motivations and defense mechanisms associated with it. This self-awareness allows therapists to recognize their own biases, blind spots, and triggers, enabling them to approach therapeutic sessions with heightened sensitivity and authenticity. By understanding how they respond to stress or security, therapists can maintain their emotional equilibrium, exhibit greater empathy, and establish a secure and trusting therapeutic alliance with their clients.

Personal Growth Using the Enneagram

Through the lens of the Enneagram, therapists can explore their own personal growth journey, addressing unresolved issues and working through any counterproductive patterns that may impact their professional practice. This self-reflection enhances therapists' overall effectiveness, as they become more attuned to their own internal dynamics and, subsequently, to the needs and experiences of their clients. By continuously integrating Enneagram insights into their therapeutic approach, therapists can create a nurturing and transformative environment that supports clients on their own paths to healing and growth.