Both the Enneagram and Myers-Briggs (MBTI) are valuable tools for therapists, but they serve different purposes. The Enneagram focuses on understanding why people behave as they do, diving into core motivations, fears, and emotional patterns. The MBTI, on the other hand, explains how people interact with the world, emphasizing behavior, preferences, and decision-making styles.
Quick Overview:
Enneagram: Best for deep emotional work, trauma-informed therapy, and tracking personal growth.
MBTI: Ideal for improving communication, understanding thinking processes, and resolving conflicts.
Quick Comparison:
| Aspect | Enneagram | Myers-Briggs (MBTI) |
| Core Focus | Motivations and fears | Behaviors and preferences |
| Perspective | Dynamic and evolving | Static and structured |
| Therapeutic Strength | Emotional insight and growth | Communication strategies |
| Best For | Trauma healing, personal growth | Workplace dynamics, relationships |
Therapists can use one or both tools depending on their goals. The Enneagram is better for exploring emotional depth, while the MBTI provides actionable insights for everyday interactions. Together, they offer a balanced approach to understanding personality.
Basic Elements of Each System
Enneagram‘s 9 Types and Core Drives
The Enneagram breaks personality into nine distinct types, grouped into three centers: head, heart, and body. Each center highlights specific motivations and patterns, which can be expressed in healthy or unhealthy ways [1]. This system digs into the why behind behaviors, making it a powerful tool for therapists to understand clients’ fears and desires [2].
Here’s how the Enneagram organizes its types by centers:
| Center | Types |
| Head (Mental) | 5, 6, 7 |
| Heart (Emotional) | 2, 3, 4 |
| Body (Instinctual) | 8, 9, 1 |
Myers-Briggs’ 16 Types and Mental Processes
While the Enneagram explores motivations, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) focuses on cognitive preferences. It categorizes personality into 16 types, based on four key dichotomies [4]:
Extraversion vs. Introversion: Where people direct their energy.
Sensing vs. Intuition: How individuals gather information.
Thinking vs. Feeling: The way decisions are made.
Judging vs. Perceiving: How someone interacts with the world.
With around two million U.S. adults completing the MBTI each year [6], it’s a widely recognized tool for understanding how people process experiences and interact with others.
Main Differences Between Systems
The Enneagram and MBTI differ in their focus and practical use. The MBTI emphasizes the how of personality by identifying behaviors and preferences [2]. On the other hand, the Enneagram examines the why by uncovering deeper motivations and emotional patterns [2].
| Aspect | Enneagram | Myers-Briggs |
| Core Focus | Motivations and fears | Behaviors and preferences |
| Perspective | Dynamic and evolving | Static and structured |
| Development View | Tracks health levels | Balances strengths and weaknesses |
| Primary Use | Supports emotional insight and growth | Provides frameworks for behavior analysis |
The Enneagram is particularly helpful for monitoring therapeutic progress, thanks to its focus on developmental levels. Meanwhile, the MBTI offers a clear, structured way to understand communication and relationship dynamics [4]. These differences help therapists choose the right tool to meet their clients’ needs.
MBTI VS The Enneagram: Understanding Personality Types
Using These Tools in Therapy
This section dives into how these systems can be applied directly to therapy sessions, enhancing the therapeutic process based on their unique strengths.
Enneagram Methods for Therapists
Therapists can use the Enneagram’s emphasis on core emotions to identify patterns of overcompensation, under-expression, or internal conflict in their clients. This allows for tailored strategies based on the client’s dominant emotional center [8].
| Center | Core Emotion | Focus in Therapy |
| Head (5,6,7) | Fear | Managing anxiety, improving decision-making |
| Heart (2,3,4) | Shame | Building self-esteem, fostering self-acceptance |
| Body (8,9,1) | Anger | Setting boundaries, developing assertiveness |
The Levels of Development framework is another valuable tool, helping therapists gauge whether a client is functioning in healthy, average, or unhealthy states [7].
Myers-Briggs Methods for Therapists
The MBTI offers therapists actionable communication strategies. For example, Sensing types benefit from clear, step-by-step examples, while Intuitive types thrive in discussions that explore patterns and possibilities [9].
| Client Type | Suggested Approach |
| ST (Sensing-Thinking) | Provide logical explanations and structured action plans |
| NT (Intuitive-Thinking) | Discuss theoretical concepts and challenge assumptions |
| SF (Sensing-Feeling) | Use relatable examples and validate emotions |
| NF (Intuitive-Feeling) | Focus on personal growth and explore deeper meanings |
These methods demonstrate how personality insights can shape therapy to meet the unique needs of each client.
Sample Therapy Techniques
By combining these systems, therapists can develop integrated techniques that enhance client outcomes. Both the Enneagram and MBTI offer distinct perspectives, and together, they provide a well-rounded framework for therapy:
True Friend Method Integration: This method combines Enneagram insights with MBTI communication styles to address core fears effectively.
Hypnotherapy Application: Sensing types respond well to detailed, concrete imagery, while Intuitive types prefer abstract, metaphorical suggestions during hypnotherapy.
NLP Interventions: By aligning Enneagram insights with MBTI preferences, therapists can tailor Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) techniques, such as personalized anchoring methods, to fit a client’s cognitive style.
“The Enneagram connects with our emotional core, while the MBTI aligns with our thinking processes. Therefore, together, they offer a rich portrait of our personalities, balancing instincts with logical thoughts.” – Saleh Vallander [2]
Benefits and Drawbacks
What the Enneagram Does Well
The Enneagram shines when it comes to identifying a client’s core values, beliefs, and fears. This makes it especially useful in trauma-informed therapy. Its focus on developmental levels [1] helps therapists track whether clients are operating in more constructive or less effective emotional states.
What Myers-Briggs Does Well
The MBTI, with over 60 years of refinement [3], provides a structured framework to understand how clients process information and make decisions. This clarity can improve communication and strengthen relationship strategies [2].
Both tools offer valuable insights but come with their own set of challenges.
Problems with Both Systems
While these tools offer helpful perspectives, they aren’t without flaws. The MBTI has been criticized in academic circles for issues with validity and reliability. It’s also often misused, being seen as a predictor of job performance rather than a guide for understanding career preferences and satisfaction [10].
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Enneagram | Myers-Briggs |
| Primary Focus | Core motivations and emotional patterns | Information processing and decision-making styles |
| Therapeutic Strength | Trauma-informed healing and personal growth | Improving communication and relationship dynamics |
| Best Used For | Deep emotional work and understanding fears | Practical strategies for daily interactions |
| Clinical Application | Monitoring unhealthy patterns and growth | Creating focused communication approaches |
| Limitations | – | Validity concerns in academic settings |
| Growth Model | Levels of Development framework [1] | Type development patterns |
The choice between these systems often depends on the therapist’s goals. The Enneagram is typically better suited for deep emotional exploration and trauma work, while the MBTI offers practical tools for enhancing everyday communication and relationships [2].
Making the Right Choice
How to Pick Between Systems
The system you choose should match your therapeutic goals. Are you looking to address deep emotional issues or improve communication skills? This decision will help you focus on the right tool.
The Enneagram is ideal for:
- Understanding emotional patterns
- Identifying core fears and desires
- Supporting personal development
The Myers-Briggs (MBTI) is better suited for:
- Improving workplace relationships
- Strengthening communication skills
- Resolving conflicts
- Understanding how people process information
These differences can help you decide which system to use – or how to combine them effectively.
Using Both Systems Together
Many therapists combine the Enneagram and MBTI to make the most of their unique strengths.
Here’s how to approach integration:
- Use the Enneagram to explore deeper emotional motivations.
- Rely on MBTI insights for practical strategies, like improving communication.
- Keep in mind that the Enneagram sees personality as flexible, while MBTI reflects more stable traits [4].
- Avoid trying to match specific Enneagram types directly with MBTI categories – they’re designed to work differently [5].
Key Takeaways
When deciding between these systems, think about your therapeutic focus. The Enneagram helps uncover hidden motivations and encourages self-awareness, while the MBTI provides actionable tools for improving interactions and decision-making [4].
You don’t have to choose just one. Start with the system that aligns with your immediate needs, and as you or your clients grow more comfortable, consider blending insights from both. Remember, these tools are meant to guide your process, not define it.