How to Identify Your Enneagram Type: A Guide from an Enneagram Therapist
Written by Hanna B. Woody, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and certified Enneagram Teacher
When I teach Enneagram workshops or work with clients on Enneagram coaching for self-growth, the most common question I hear is, "How do I know what type I am?" This is an important question, typically followed by, "Is there a test I can take?" Yes, there are tests you can take, but even the best ones are often inaccurate. My clients who take these tests often end up confused by their results and unsure whether they should trust them. My advice is: don’t let a test tell you who you are. Read about all nine types and type yourself from there. Your Enneagram test results might be a good place to start, but don’t let it end there.
Why Test Results Can Be Misleading
The Enneagram is as dynamic and complex as the people it represents. Tests don’t account for factors like changes over time, subtypes, energetics, or how you move between stress and growth points. Some types may even answer test questions in similar ways, despite having different core motivations. We often respond based on who we aspire to be rather than who we truly are—or even more negatively, because we haven’t yet learned to see ourselves clearly. Your level of health and growth within your Enneagram type also shapes how you approach and answer these questions.
This complexity is one of the reasons you’re better off typing yourself instead of solely relying on a test. Working with an Enneagram therapist or coach, such as myself, can guide you through a meaningful process to identify your true type.
Understanding Your Core Enneagram Type
It’s common for people to relate to all of the Enneagram personality types. We have all nine of the types in us to some extent so this makes sense. But your Enneagram type is more like a core wound that causes consistent suffering than a simple set of personality traits. Two people can have very similar personality traits and behaviors, but the motivation and internal processes behind them are very different. For example, consider Type 8 and Type 3. Both types often have vibrant, intense personalities. They both tend to be skilled at persuading, leading, and motivating others. They work hard, achieve what seems impossible, and can struggle with restlessness or anxiety when slowing down. Yet their motivations and internal processes are vastly different:
Type 8s are driven by a need to maintain control, protect others, and avoid vulnerability or feelings of weakness.
Type 3s are motivated by a desire to perform well, gain approval, and prove their worth through achievement.
This is why Enneagram therapy or coaching can be so valuable—it helps you uncover the deeper motivations behind your behaviors and connect them to your type.
If you can't rely on your test results and find yourself relating to multiple types, how can you be sure of your Enneagram type? There are distinct internal reactions and responses that indicate when you've identified your correct Enneagram type.
How to Find Your Enneagram Type
Discovering your true Enneagram type often evokes specific feelings. Here are some signs to look for that indicate that you’ve found your correct type.
Discomfort or resistance
Feelings of “Yikes, ick! I don’t want to be this one!” It’s totally normal and expected to not feel great about your type. It can feel like seeing yourself fully, including the parts of yourself that you don’t like.
Feelings of vulnerability
It can be unnerving to learn your type. Many people feel like someone is reading their journal out loud to them.
A sense of being exposed
You may feel nervous that others might see in you the things you don’t like about yourself. You may worry that you are unintentionally having a negative impact on others.
Resonance
You get a feeling of resonance in your gut or in the core of your body.
Difficulty imagining doing your type’s work
The work of the type seems substantially difficult or impossible. Imagining doing the work of your type may feel like it goes against the grain of who you are. It might even feel terrifying. For example, for a Type 9, simply thinking about the idea of learning to face conflict can feel overwhelming and deeply scary.
Relief and Belonging
Relief that it’s not just you and that there’s something to do about your suffering. Knowing that there are others out there exactly like you, suffering with the same kinds of things, can relieve a feeling that there's something wrong with you. It can also feel relieving to know that there is a pathway forward.
How to Know You’re Mistyped
Mistyping is common, especially early on in your Enneagram exploration. Here are signs that you may have mistyped:
You think you’ve already overcome your type’s core issues
You feel this way without having had to do substantial self-work to get there. Enneagram work is not easy work. The core traits of your type persist throughout your life and require significant effort and self-awareness to change.
The work of your type seems easy or achievable
Say, for instance, that you believe you are a Type 2 because you are kind and generous with others and enjoy helping. Even if it disappoints or makes people dislike you, saying no to others and putting your needs first doesn't elicit strong resistance or deep fear. While it may seem difficult, it still feels achievable. You might not actually be a Type 2.
You only relate to a few traits of your type
For example, “I really enjoy taking in new information and collecting data. I’m pretty intellectual, I must be a 5.” Many types could relate to the statement above. 9’s, 7’s, 6’s, and 1’s for example. This is a big reason why it’s important to learn about all of the types and assess for yourself which ones resonate with what you know to be true about yourself.
You feel great about being your type
If you’ve learned about the shadow and negative traits of your type and feel unperturbed by it, you might not be that type. I’m talking about how you feel about yourself on the inside, not what you portray to others. All of us shield ourselves from vulnerability to some extent by not allowing others to see our full selves, so pay attention to your inner narrative and go with the type that feels most true to who you know you are.
What if I get my Enneagram type wrong?
People mistype themselves all the time. When my clients want to use the Enneagram in therapy or coaching, it’s quite common for them to realize they’ve mistyped themselves. Doing the work of your type brings clarity and deeper self-awareness. Sometimes, we need to mistype ourselves at first to eventually find the right one. The good news is, you don’t have to have your Enneagram type figured out to benefit from Enneagram work.
When I first discovered the Enneagram over 18 years ago, I got my type wrong several times. This was partly because I wasn’t ready to see certain things about myself, and partly because I didn’t know about subtypes. It turns out I’m one of the counter-types, so the basic Enneagram descriptions didn’t fully describe my personality.
However, I started challenging myself to do the work of the type I thought I was. This helped me begin healing trauma and uncover powerful truths about how I was holding myself back. Eventually, it led me to discover my correct type. Once I did, I realized that despite not knowing my correct Enneagram personality, I had been doing the work of my actual type all along because I was tuning into the aspects that resonated with me. All the things I resonated with from other types turned out to be core features of my actual type. No time or effort was wasted. If you’re being honest with yourself and tuning in to what you need to heal, you’re doing good Enneagram work. That being said, having your type correct will deeply resonate and accelerate your growth—if you’re ready to do the work.
Best Enneagram Tests
If you want to start with a test, here are two I recommend, created by Enneagram experts:
CP Enneagram Micro Test
Developed by the Chestnut Paes Enneagram Academy, this free test emphasizes subtypes, which are crucial for accurate typing. Beatrice Chestnut’s book, The Complete Enneagram, is another excellent resource.RHETI (Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator)
Created by Don Riso and Russ Hudson, authors of The Wisdom of the Enneagram, this test provides insights from a different Enneagram tradition.
Remember, tests are only a starting point. If you get multiple types, try using the bullet points above to guide your process.
Benefits of Working with an Enneagram Therapist
The Enneagram is one of the most powerful tools for personal transformation. Working with an Enneagram therapist or coach provides a supportive space to navigate your type’s unique challenges and strengths. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, generational trauma, or a desire for deeper self-awareness, Enneagram work can be transformative.
As a licensed therapist and Enneagram coach, I specialize in helping clients identify their type and work through the patterns holding them back. My goal is for you to leave each session feeling more connected to your self-worth and confident in your ability to meet your own needs.
Let’s Get Started
If you’re ready to explore the Enneagram through therapy or coaching, I’d love to connect. I offer online sessions for clients across the United States.
The first step is scheduling a free 20-minute consultation. This is your opportunity to ask questions, share your goals, and ensure we’re the right fit for each other. Learn more about working with me here.
About Hanna
Hi, I’m Hanna, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Enneagram coach based in Asheville, North Carolina. With over 12 years of experience in the mental health field, I specialize in helping individuals break free from generational trauma and achieve meaningful personal growth through Enneagram therapy and coaching.
I’m passionate about the transformative power of the Enneagram and its ability to bring deep self-awareness, clarity, and healing. Through my work, I guide clients in understanding their core motivations, healing from trauma, and developing strategies to live with more authenticity and confidence.
I offer online Enneagram coaching to clients across the United States, helping you gain clarity and make lasting changes in your life. If you’re based in North Carolina, I also provide therapy to address childhood trauma, anxiety, and relational issues in a compassionate, non-judgmental space.
Ready to uncover your true Enneagram type and start doing the deeper work? Let’s talk. Schedule your free consultation today to begin the process.