The Enneagram

Do you ever wonder why you’re always asking questions or caretaking to the point of resentment or why people say you are too blunt, emotional, or skeptical? Are you so productive you can’t relax?

The Enneagram, a study of our essential, innate nature, quickly answers these questions. It is simple, easy to learn, and offers profound insights into why we react in thoughts, actions, and emotions.

Find out more by clicking on each number.

Each temperament has an energy or propensity, a strength or gift, and a challenge or burden. When we understand our innate nature, we can accept and enjoy the gifts our temperament gives us and work with its challenges. This helps other people in our lives as well.

I have taught the Enneagram to my clients and in seminars for 30 years. This website is for therapists and their clients to learn the Enneagram temperaments. Please explore whatever is helpful on this site. Seminar events and training for therapists and clients are below under Events.

Copyright 2025: Lynn Turner, PhD, LCSW

Shen Bonanno, Illustrations

1 The Detail-Oriented Do you want things to be Right and say so?

2 The Kind-Hearted Do you always say yes when friends ask for a favor, and forget yourself?

3 The Goal-Oriented Do you make lists and a list of your lists?

4 The Individualist Do your family and friends think that your emotions are too much?

5 The Observer Do you need space alone and like to figure things out?

6 The Guardian-Doubter Ever wonder why you’re always asking questions?

7 The Joyful Do your fun activities often exhaust your friends?

8 The Take-Charge Are you a good leader, but your friends sometimes say you’re too blunt?

9 The Easy-Going Do you live in the present and like to just hang out?

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