The Enneagram

What is the Enneagram?

The Enneagram is a personality theory with origins stemming from Christian monks and mystics who lived during 1-5 AD. Most commonly used in spiritual direction practices, the theory divides humanity into nine personality types:

Type 1 (The Reformer), Type 2 (The Helper), Type 3 (The Achiever), Type 4 (The Romantic), Type 5 (The Observer), Type 6 (The Loyalist), Type 7 (The Adventurer), Type 8 (The Challenger) and to Type 9 (The Peacemaker).

The Enneagram enables people to better understand their motivation, values and communication style. A healthy and well-rounded understanding of your type will highlight your strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to progressively become your truest self, free of insecurities and unhealthy habits.

Why do we use it?

Colleen and Duncan began their journey with the Enneagram in 1999, and undertook teaching from the Wellspring Centre for Spiritual Formation, located in Ashburton, Victoria; as well as reading the works of modern Enneagram professional Fr Richard Rohr. After discovering they were a 6 and 1 respectively, they were able to stabilise and develop a healthy marriage.

In the years since, they have undertook further teaching, and found this hugely helpful in assisting clients of all ages, backgrounds, sexual orientation and life experience.

The Enneagram is an optional tool and is not essential to successful therapy. We offer it to clients to see if it resonates with them, and the decision to use its framework is left to the client.

How is it effective?

We find this exceptionally useful in couples and family therapy, where an understanding of both you and your loved ones’ type allows you to communicate effectively.

The Enneagram is also useful in individual therapy, as it helps you to identify childhood trauma and how it is traced through your family of origin.

Many businesses, entrepreneurs and professionals use the Enneagram to facilitate a healthier and more productive work place as it promotes inner wellbeing, as well as healthy external relationships.

Do you provide counselling sessions based solely on Enneagram teaching?

Yes, we are able to coach you effectively through the Enneagram and help you to identify your Type and how this can transform your life. While we offer the Enneagram as a framework in most forms of therapy, we can specialise in this as requested.

Call Duncan on 0434 331 243 for a free 10 minute consultation on how we can help you, or book online here.