If you are not very familiar with the Enneagram, then starting with a Typing Session would be a good way to help you figure out your type. It can be helpful to take an Enneagram test first to help pinpoint which types to explore further.

There are free and fee-based Enneagram tests that you can take to help you narrow down your type (see Resources section for links to tests), but test results may not necessarily identify your primary personality type. For some people, the tests are spot-on and for others, it provides a starting point to work through several types. There are some good books that can also provide more detailed descriptions of your type. (See the Resources section for book suggestions and links.) My recommendation is to start with The Road Back To You by Ian Cron and Suzanne Stabile. Learning more about the Enneagram can be done by reading and listening to podcasts where people are talking about what it is like to be a particular type.

If you are interested in one of the packages, it is helpful to have a good idea of your top type or top two types because the content of those sessions is based on your Enneagram type. It may be helpful to do one (or more if needed) Typing Sessions first if you are uncertain of your Enneagram Type before starting a coaching package.

Please message me directly if you have questions about your type and which service(s) would fit your situation best.

This is very common. Tests often ask about outward behaviors and the Enneagram is really about underlying motivations that can be hard to assess with a test. In addition, people often attribute a variety of reasons why they do things but the Enneagram hones in on one primary motivation for each type. This may mean people need to sort through several personality types to get to the heart of why they act the way they do. The Enneagram is complicated. Tests often help people narrow down to a few types that need to be explored in more detail and with some thought-provoking questions that focus on the person they were while growing up and as a young adult. If you think a test has mistyped you, I would encourage you to explore the Enneagram on your own (go to Resource section for suggestions) or sign up for a Typing Session, which may be very helpful in guiding you in the appropriate direction.

By having sessions every other week, it provides enough time for you to process what you are learning and also to practice the skills we highlight, especially for the parenting sessions. The best learning is a combination of knowledge and practice and then reflecting on the experience. Two weeks allows enough time for application and reflection.

If I have availability and you strongly prefer weekly sessions or feel some urgency to make changes more quickly, sessions may be able to be scheduled weekly. It would be important for you to set aside adequate time each week to reflect and process outside of our sessions what you have been learning and experiencing. Please reach out to me directly if you would like to discuss the frequency of coaching sessions.

The most change can happen when you are able to acknowledge your weaknesses, hurts, and difficult thoughts and feelings. I believe that knowing and experiencing Jesus’ love and forgiveness and grace provides a safe space to explore those challenging aspects of our personality, relationship patterns, and other aspects of our lives that we tend to avoid.

I also think that all nine Enneagram types reflect God’s character and each type highlights a different aspects of God. Each Enneagram type is a God-given gift but also points out a primary area of weakness or sin for each type. People can benefit from learning about their Enneagram type without a religious viewpoint, but I believe that ultimately it is the Holy Spirit that brings change and conviction and comfort. I think it is important to acknowledge that without the Christian perspective, I don’t think people benefit as much but do believe it can still be valuable. I want to be honest about what I think is most effective and I would hate to have someone miss out on incorporating faith into the Enneagram if they are willing to approach coaching from that perspective.

There are decades of solid research on attachment and parenting. The Circle of Security ® attachment model also has strong research support, as well as strong clinical evidence that it is effective. I have worked with many families in a secular clinical setting and have seen significant shifts in family dynamics and improved security in the children. This model, and attachment in general, is not explicitly founded on Christian principles and works with most families. I do believe that the framework and concepts are consistent with Christian values and are Biblical. The attachment framework provides a way for you, as the parent, to develop a secure attachment with the Lord that helps you develop a more secure relationship with your own children.

YES, I absolutely welcome spouses to participate together in the Parenting Coaching sessions. It is so helpful for both parents to have the attachment framework and common language to discuss and understand their children and also support each other during challenging parenting moments.

I will also work with couples for Enneagram coaching. I use an attachment lens when addressing couples’ dynamics. Please note that Enneagram coaching will not be couples counseling or therapy. Contact me directly if you are interested in this, as it may be beneficial to have 90-minute sessions that will require additional cost and special scheduling in my calendar.

The primary way we learn about parenting is through how we were parented. This does not mean that if you experienced non-supportive or even hurtful or abusive parenting as a child that your children are doomed. You can parent differently! Often parents are aware of what they do not want to do but may not have a clear idea of what to do in terms of parenting strategies. If this is true for you, you are in the right place. Both the Enneagram and Parenting Coaching sessions will address the parenting you received and the messages you internalized from that experience. This is also where a Christian perspective is so important because God is the perfect parent and can provide the acceptance, kindness, grace, and love that you may have felt were lacking in your own relationship(s) with your parent(s). You can find your security in Jesus in a way that helps you develop a more secure relationship with your own children.

There have been books written on this topic. There are podcasts and digital products that delve into the history of the Enneagram and I would direct you there (see Resources section). I will say that some aspects of the Enneagram are ancient, but the concepts have been tweaked and added to over the years. I believe that God can use any tool for his benefit and for His kingdom. The Enneagram is just a tool but it is an extremely useful tool, especially when paired with the gospel. The Enneagram does not contradict the Bible—they actually fit together very well. I know that the Enneagram has done more to strengthen my relationship with the Lord than other tool, but I also want to say that it is God’s grace that brings change and that is most important. I also know there are many other people who have been significantly and positively impacted by using the Enneagram as part of their spiritual growth.

As a clinical psychologist who has done psychological testing for years with children, teens, and adults, I have not found another personality system that has the same usefulness in real life. So many of the other personality tests provide a description of your behavior and categorize people by their behaviors. So often, that is all they are—a description of current behavior. What is so wonderful about the Enneagram is that it provides descriptions of nine personality types but within each of those types there is significant variation. There are layers of things that impact and shape your individual personality and provide flavor to your Enneagram type. The biggest strength of the Enneagram is that it does not provide just a description of your behavior but looks at the motivations for your behavior—why you act and respond the way you do! The Enneagram may seem basic if you consider nine personality types but there are many aspects that provide depth and dimension for each person. The Enneagram is quite complicated if you desire to dig into your type. It provides a variety of ways to learn about yourself, make improvements, understand other people better, and to keep growing. It has indicators of health and stress, so you can recognize when you are operating in the less healthy dimensions of your personality. Then, it provides direction for how to move toward more health. All of that in one tool! Aren’t you curious what you might learn about yourself?