Enneagram

2016-03-11 00:48:43 Gabriel Eriksson

The Enneagram is a personality system with old roots used for exploration/understanding of one’s personality type and opportunities for spiritual and psychological growth. The Enneagram is a complex model that lends itself to digging deeper and uncovering unconscious beliefs that drive patterns of thoughts, behaviors and feelings. In addition to insight about oneself, Enneagram resources offer advice for growth that allow people to live in greater spiritual and interpersonal harmony. I have studied and used several personality systems and find the Enneagram to be the most enlightening and rewarding both for personal use and in therapy. If you are interested in learning more, ask your therapist about exploring the Enneagram in therapy and/or for recommendations on books and websites devoted to the Enneagram (e.g., The Enneagram Institute).

The Enneagram consists of nine personality types, typically self-identified through assessment, personal study, or the confirmation of those close to you. To give you a taste, brief descriptions of the Nine Types follow below:

One: the need to be right

Aka: Perfectionist, Reformer

Adjectives: Conscientious, responsible, improvement-oriented, consistent, self-controlled, precise, high standards, clear, detail oriented, caring, but also sometimes critical, inflexible, opinionated, judgmental, resentful, and self judging.

Glittering image, false self: I am good when I am honest, hardworking, and orderly

Desperate habit: Seeking to correct, avoiding resentment


Fatal flaw, deadly sin: Anger


Two: the need to be appreciated

Aka: Helper, Giver

Adjectives: Caring, helpful, supportive, relationship-oriented, tuned to others’ feelings, optimistic, generous, likable, nurturing, advice giving, responsible, but also sometimes prideful, intrusive, dramatic, often unable to say no, indirect regarding own needs, and over-accommodating.

Glittering image, false self: I am good when I am loving, selfless, and helpful

Desperate habit: Seeking too dependent relationships, avoiding personal neediness


Fatal flaw, deadly sin: Pride


Three: the need to be successful

Aka: Performer, Achiever

Adjectives: Industrious, fast-paced, goal-focused, results- and success-oriented, efficient, confident, enthusiastic, high-energy, caring through doing, ambitious, go-getter, optimistic, but also sometimes impatient, inattentive to feelings/ relationships, competitive, rushed, self-promoting, driven, and overextended.

Glittering image, false self: I am good when I am successful, competent, and effective 


Desperate habit: Seeking false image, avoiding failure


Fatal flaw, deadly sin: Deceit


Four: the need to be special

Aka: Romantic, Individualist

Adjectives: Idealistic, deeply feeling, sensitive, empathetic, caring, intense, specialness-oriented, creative disposition, authentic to self, introspective, expressive, but also sometimes dramatic, moody, changeable, self-conscious, unsatisfied, and self-absorbed.

Glittering image, false self: I am good when I am original, sensitive, and cultured

Desperate habit: Seeking the unobtainable, avoiding true sadness


Fatal flaw, deadly sin: Envy


Five: the need to be competent

Aka: Observer, Investigator

Adjectives: Self-sufficient, undemanding, quietly caring, knowledgeable, investigative, inquisitive, objective, but also sometimes withholding, non-sharing, detached, unassertive, remote, miserly with feelings, and overly private.

Glittering image, false self: I am good when I am wise, smart, and receptive

Desperate habit: Seeking to watch, avoiding emptiness


Fatal flaw, deadly sin: Greed


Six: the need to be secure

Aka: Loyalist, Doubter

Adjectives: Trustworthy, loyal, responsible, inquisitive, dutiful, good friend, caring, collaborative, analytical, persevering, but also sometimes overly doubtful, skeptical, uncertain, worrying, vigilant, sometimes challenging and/or fearful, either overly cautious or overly risk-taking, and questioning to the point of blame.

Glittering image, false self: I am good when I am faithful, obedient, and loyal

Desperate habit: Seeking security, avoiding deviance


Fatal flaw, deadly sin: Fear


Seven: the need to be happy

Aka: Enthusiast, Epicure

Adjectives: Optimistic, upbeat, charming, caring, exuberant, spontaneous, versatile, joyful, possibility- and pleasure-seeking, synthesizer of ideas, opportunity-oriented, quick thinker, adventurous, but also sometimes pain-avoidant, inconsiderate, unfocused, uncommitted, impetuous, authority-rejecting, and self-serving.

Glittering image, false self: I am good when I am optimistic, happy, and nice

Desperate habit: Seeking unreal idealism, avoiding pain


Fatal flaw, deadly sin: Gluttony


Eight: the need to be strong

Aka: Protector, Challenger

Adjectives: Justice-seeking, direct, strong, magnanimous, declarative, assertive, self-reliant, confident, intense, protective of others, take-charge- and action-oriented, but also sometimes heavy-handed, intimidating, excessive, demanding, impatient, dominating, and impulsive.

Glittering image, false self: I am good when I am just, strong, and dominant

Desperate habit: Seeking vengeance, avoiding weakness


Fatal flaw, deadly sin: Lust


Nine: the need to be peaceful

Aka: Mediator, Peacemaker

Adjectives: Adaptable, harmony-seeking, pleasing, affable, steadfast, comfortable, accepting, humble, often easy-going, caring, inclusive, steady, but also sometimes conflict-avoidant, resistant, self-forgetting, stubborn, and indecisive.

Glittering image, false self: I am good when I am calm, in harmony, and balanced

Desperate habit: Seeking sleep, avoiding conflict


Fatal flaw, deadly sin: Sloth


Do you recognize yourself in one (or several) of these types? It often takes time to discern which is our primary type, since we possess traits of all types to a lesser degree. If you’re interested in taking a discernment test or finding out more about your type, talk to your therapist or email me at: cpcc.gabriel@gmail.com