Why I Think the Enneagram Is Important & Why I Use It in My Coaching

When I first saw the encyclopedia-sized book (I’m exaggerating) outlining each type and wing of the Enneagram, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But it’s a system I’ve grown to love—one that I’ve studied extensively over the last several years.

Whether you’ve heard of the Enneagram or not, I wanted to share a bit about my perspective and experience with it.

So what is the Enneagram, exactly?

Some of the questions I get most often are: Is it just a personality test? Is it evil? Is it Christian? Where did it come from?

There are a lot of questions surrounding the origins of this ancient system—and some of them still remain unanswered.

Richard Rohr’s book The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective was my first introduction. As a renowned Catholic priest, scholar, and author, Rohr has essentially modernized it for this generation. So while I can’t explain the exact origins, I can tell you my experience with it—and why I believe in it so deeply.

I was first introduced to the Enneagram through a small group at a church I was attending around 2012. The way it was presented to us was to read descriptions of each of the nine types, and whichever one made you feel the most shame… was probably your type. An interesting approach, especially coming from a church lol.

While I don’t condone promoting shame, I do still prefer learning about each type before determining yours—rather than taking a quick online test (which, in my experience, isn’t always accurate). Because pretty quickly, I understood what they meant.

The phrase we used back then was: “It feels like they’re reading my mail.”As soon as I read about the Type Two archetype, I knew it was me. And at the same time, I was learning things about myself and my behavior that I had never understood before.

This is why I don’t like comparing the Enneagram to just another personality test—it goes so much deeper. It’s like a bottomless well of insight, depending on how far you’re willing to go to understand your core motivations.

I’m 14 years in, and some days I still feel like I’m just beginning. But don’t let that discourage you—you can gain so much even in a short amount of time. For me, discovering the Enneagram felt like coming home to myself in a way I didn’t even realize I needed.

I’ve explored many healing modalities since then, and several have been incredibly helpful. But the Enneagram will always be what started me on my path to healing and wholeness.

Over the years, people have asked me to teach group classes, and I’ve tried that once or twice. But for me, I believe this work is best experienced individually.

A common myth is that the Enneagram puts people into one of nine boxes—but that’s not true. While there are nine main archetypes, once you dive into subtypes, wings, growth patterns, and more, there are actually over 50 behavioral archetypes. And even then, each one expresses differently based on a person’s life experiences and environment.

As I mentioned earlier, I use the Enneagram in all of my coaching as a tool for self-awareness and healing. And I’m really excited to now offer an 8-part Enneagram Coaching Intensive—designed to help you deeply understand your core wounds and behavioral patterns (aka why you do the things you do).

This work can transform your relationship with yourself—and with others, both in love and in work.

A Sneak Peek of the Journey:

Enneagram Coaching (8 Sessions Total)

• Gain a deeper understanding of yourself through the wisdom of the Enneagram

• All reading materials and guided prompts included

  
  

Week One – Determine your type and core motivation

Week Two – What does this actually mean?

Week Three – Understanding and reconciling childhood wounding

Week Four – How your type shows up in love and friendships

Week Five – How your type shows up in work relationships

Week Six – Your path to growth (and how you operate in stress)

Week Seven – Understanding your wing

Week Eight – Integration + hope for the future

If you’re feeling the pull to invest in yourself in this way, I’d love to connect. You can schedule a complimentary consult call, and we’ll see if this is the right fit for you.

Here’s to knowing—and loving—yourself and others more deeply.

Schedule Your Consult!