A Brief Word on the Enneagram
In my clinical work with clients, I draw heavily on Narrative Therapy which, simply put, draws on the therapeutic work being about correcting a broken story (ie, “I’m a loser, no one will look after me,” etc.” and “re-authoring” a more holistic and preferred story about one’s self.
One of the easiest, deepest, and most profound ways to identify a story is to identify the personality or “story structure” you most seem to connect with, and the personality system I’ve found both in my personal and also professional life to be of great use in identifying one’s broken story is the Enneagram theory of personality. As such, I thought I’d lay out a very brief fly-by of the nine types the system presents and what sort of broken story trap each type lends itself toward. They are referred to by numbers, ie type 2 or type 6, and the exist in three different triads, or way in which the system describes their experience of primary emotion: anger, fear, and shame.
(Absolutely feel free in session, email, or over phone call discuss with me any curiosities you might have on the system; I’d love to share what I know!)
1s are in the anger triad, as mentioned before. These folks are hard-workers, interested in reforming or improving things around them, and have a fierce and cruel inner critic that tells them, constantly, that they aren’t “good” enough morally.
2s are in the shame triad. These folks are also hard-working, willing to clock in hours and hours for those they love, and are often spending mental and emotional energy dwelling on their relationships. They think they aren’t lovable so they become immensely loving to compensate.
3s are in the shame triad. These folks don’t appear to be in the shame triad or to be overly motivated by feelings but they run off of them. Being others referencing, they know exactly what to do, say, and be to appear successful to those around them. This hides their shame of not knowing who they are to themselves.
4s are in the shame triad. These folks believe something is missing in their essential DNA that would allow them to live a fulfilling life. To compensate, they often become artists, creatives, or other helping professions to give themselves a sense of value and meaning externally that they don’t feel internally.
5s are in the fear triad. These folks are very interested in acquiring information. Though they are not quick to speak, they usually hold the most information and mastery over subjects of their interest. They attain this information out of fear that they won’t know what to do or how to handle the complexities of life.
6s are in the fear triad. These folks are some of the best troubleshooters around. Often envisioning the worst-case scenarios, sometimes to the point of absurdity, 6s tend to struggle making decisions due to an underlying fear that their intuition is not good enough to bring them to the best choices.
7s are in the fear triads. These folks are often the most boisterous, outgoing, and optimistic of all the types. Thinking a thousand miles a minute, underneath their sheer relentless optimism is a fear that if the cracks in the armor show and negative feelings arise, no one will be able to take care of them when they are hurting.
8s are in the anger triad. These folks are the most direct of types, very rarely not disclosing their thoughts or opinions on most matters. Though often deemed bossy or domineering, these types, rather, don’t want to be controlled by anyone, and this extends to a strong sense of protecting those around them they perceive as being controlled.
9s are in the anger triad. These folks are the sweetheart of the Enneagram, and you won’t find more easygoing, relaxed people of all the types. Underneath their seemingly always “chill” exterior is a loss of self when merging with the needs of a group, partner, or work setting, something which they secretly resent.
For more info on how I use this system or how this system would be of good use to you, feel free to shoot me an email, call, or text.