I use the Enneagram to help clients recognize patterns of inner thoughts and feelings. The enneagram is different from other personality type indicators such as the Myers-Briggs inventory, which deals with the outside world. The Enneagram reflects inner motivations. It is an inside-out approach instead of an outside-in approach.

For instance, in a given situation, an ennea-type would typically ask, “What is the right thing?” Different personality types ask different questions. A Two would ask, “What does (he, she, it) need?” A Three: “What are the expectations I need to meet to be successful?” A Four: “What is missing here?” A Five: “What can I observe and learn?” A Six: “What could go wrong?” A Seven: “How shall I enjoy this?” An Eight: How can I take control? (Or at least be sure no one controls me!) A Nine: “How can we all get along peacefully?” Knowing your type can raise awareness so that you can more quickly recognize and alter patterns that cause personal or relational distress.