Why Enneagram?
Typology
Yes, the Enneagram is a personality typology depicting nine core types (Ennea meaning nine in Greek). Its popularity as such has exploded in the past few years. And yes, recognizing one’s type is a helpful place to begin self-exploration. However, the Enneagram was never meant to be a typology system alone; that limited use can lead people to finding “reasons” for staying stuck in the trap of their personality types. The Enneagram is also, and more importantly, meant to be understood and experienced as a psycho-spiritual process for growth. Seen and experienced in that way, it invites life-changing growth and transformation.
Typology meets transformation…
Identifying one’s “home” Enneagram type is only the first step. For most of us that is a comfortable place, but a place of much unconsciousness, where we can be constrained by the mask of our personalities. The Enneagram can powerfully illuminate the path to help people move through stuck points — those unconscious patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving associated with our type, that keep us stuck. Enneagram work, and its gift, is in illuminating the path from one’s “home” type to the “true self,” where one’s self-compassion and compassion for others flows freely, and inherent strengths shine. This has been my experience, and it is my honor and my passion to help others have it as well.
I have been on a journey of befriending and trusting my own growth process for 2+ decades, while also working as an LICSW psycho-therapist with a focus on helping people navigate grief and loss. My personal journey led me to the Enneagram and I found it to be an extraordinary tool for facilitating awakening and growth. And I knew I wanted to use it to help others. Since then, I have undergone intensive study and completed professional certification to become an Enneagram mentor and coach.
Resources
There are so many excellent resources for learning about the Enneagram, I couldn’t possibly name them all. But a few that I have found especially helpful are the following.
