The Enneagram

One of the ways you may wish to work with me is through exploring the Enneagram.

This can be done privately or by attending a workshop.

The Enneagram is a powerful tool for understanding ourselves and others. It is both a psychological map and a spiritual path. The Enneagram is an ancient symbol of unity and diversity, change and transformation. The word “ennea” is Greek for nine and “gram” means model or figure. Hence, the Enneagram is a symbol – a circle with nine points and their connections representing nine personality archetypes. Each of these nine types or patterns is based on an explicit set of perceptual filters that determine our worldview. They describe nine distinct and fundamentally different ways of thinking, feeling and acting. For further information on the Enneagram, visit these webpages:

http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/
http://www.enneagramworldwide.com/
http://www.internationalenneagram.org/

I have been studying the Enneagram for a number of years and have found this work to be a powerful influence on my clinical practice. I particularly appreciate the non-judgmental approach to exploring different expressions of human behaviours. Understanding these differences helps me join with my clients by more effectively stepping into the language system of their type. In addition, different people find different interventions more or less helpful. Using the Enneagram helps me offer tools for insight and personal development that are specifically useful for their personality type. The first step to working with the Enneagram is to determine your type. There are many “tests” available on the internet to do this. See the websites above or do a general Google search.

Each type is familiar to us but we generally find that one of the types describes our experience most accurately. It is best to discover your type on your own and resist others telling you who they think you are. This work is focused on self-discovery as opposed to labeling and is intended to assist in developing conscious awareness.

As you discover your type you will discover what motivates you, your coping strategy and keys to personal development. You might find it uncanny how the Enneagram explains your chronic patterns in life. This exploration involves learning how to stay “present” by employing patience, kindness and curiosity. We do this by developing “mindfulness” which is a very simple form of meditation practice. You can explore mindfulness and the pathways of growth for each type with the help of The Mindful Enneagram – 9 Meditations for Personal Transformation.