by Dr. Kendra A. O’Hora, LCMFT

Hiiiiii. I’m giddy.

Because today on the blog I’m talking about the Enneagram. It’s my first time EVER writing a full blog post about what’s become a minor/major obsession for years.

Don’t get too excited though, I’m not giving a comprehensive overview of the Enneagram (that would take like 124923497 blog posts). Today, I’ll be offering two things:

1. how get started with the Enneagram on your own, and
2. how to dig deeper with a professional

First, what’s the Enneagram all about?

Many people nowadays stumble upon the Enneagram through meme’s, pop psychology, or faith communities. While the Enneagram has been around for quite some time and crossed many different fields of thought … it’s only recent hit the World Wide Web. And it.has.exploded.

People love it! My clients love it! Why?

Because the Enneagram is a tool for empathy, compassion, and alignment with self and our relationships!

When we know the nine types of the Enneagram, and know our own type, we better understand for ourselves and others:

• Core motivations
• Core needs
• Common emotional expressions
• How we perceive the world
• What is confusing and upsetting to each person
• How we best relate and connect
• What we value the most
• What our growth edges are
• Our strengths and gifts
• Our path of noticing, accepting, and growing

Long story short, the Enneagram is the bomb.dot.com.

How to Get Started with the Enneagram on Your Own

Ok, so I don’t really need to convince you of the power of the Enneagram. All I need to do is offer you the resources and let you decide where to go with it.

Some people prefer self-exploration and gentle discovery.

Some people are ready to dive deep and learn everything right this minute.

Others would love a professional to guide them through the process.

All these routes are great!

First, people often ask me where they can learn more about it. I’ve read and consumed a lot when it comes to the Enneagram. By FAR these are the best resources I’ve come across:

• Schools of Thought (these are top leaders in education and training)
  • The Narrative Enneagram
  • The Enneagram Institute
• Books
  • General Overview
    • The Road Back to You by Ian Cron
    • The Enneagram Made Easy by Renee Baron and Elizabeth Wagele
    • The Essential Enneagram by David Daniels
    • The Wisdom of the Enneagram by Russ Hudson and Don Riso
  • Intermediate/Advanced:
    • The Path Between Us by Susan Stabile
    • The Modern Enneagram by Kacie Berghoef and Melanie Bell
    • The Sacred Enneagram by Chris Heuertz *He also just published The Enneagram of Belonging, which I’m currently reading 🙂
• Podcasts
  • Sleeping at Last by Ryan O’Neal
  • The Road Back to You by Ian Cron
  • The Enneagram Journey by Susan Stabile
• Instagram Accounts (there are SO many)
  • Enneagramandcoffee
  • Enneagramenthusiast
  • Enneagramexplained
  • Enneagram.life
  • Ninetypesco

There are plenty of other resources so if you’ve familiarized yourself with the Enneagram feel free to drop a comment with your favorites to help our Enneagram beginners know where to look!

The other thing people ask NON-stop is where they can take a test to determine their type. And the simple answer is actually to start with reading/learning. Don’t try to take a free online test and think that some robot knows the ins and outs of your mind better than you know your own mind.

Take time to learn, really really learn. That’s how you’ll be best prepared for the growth.

How to Dig Deeper with a Professional

Next, I want to provide some next steps in case you’re interested in walking this journey with a trusted expert or Enneagram Enthusiast, if you will.

While there is no national exam, clinical license, etc. for the Enneagram there are schools of thought that teach and train professionals to use the Enneagram.

Many people approach the Enneagram with a callousness that can hinder growth or worse, be harmful. So, it can be important to seek out professionals who have taken time to “do the work” and familiarize themselves with the system, its benefits, and how to use it.

You can work with a therapist or coach who integrates the Enneagram into their practice, like me. You can also do a typing interview with a professional to determine your type and then dig into growth on your own or do follow up sessions to facilitate more growth!

GUESS WHAT?!

In just a few weeks we’ll be offering typing interviews for those curious to learn more about the Enneagram or narrow in what types they could be.

We have limited spots available so send us an email at dr.ohora@wellnessandco.org if you’re interested in being added to the waitlist!

The details include: a typing interview and follow up session with an actual Enneagram teacher with the option to continue individual or couples sessions for enhanced growth and wellness.

The Enneagram can be a beautiful path toward relational growth. It has helped many couples gain clarity about each other and compassion towards each other.

If you’re interested in starting couples growth but are still skeptical about going out in a post-COVID-19 world, fair enough. How about learning and growing from the comfort of your couch?

If you’ve been wanting to take your relationship to the next level send us a message because we have a serious surprise for you in the coming weeks that will help your partnership level up, big time.

Some couples need therapy to work through a wound, prior trauma, or relational disconnect.

Other couples want to take their relationship to the NEXT level and enhance their emotional, sexual, and spiritual connection to become the best partnership they can be. If that sounds like where your mind is at in your relationship then Wellness & Co. is READY to offer the path forward.

Join our newsletter or shoot me and email if you’re ready to get started!

Cheers!