No, I am not a therapist – I’m an Enneagram coach who works with people using the nuance of the Enneagram to do inner work and improve their lives. We all can benefit from finding someone to talk about things that are “above our pay grade”--we often don’t have the skills to deal with all the things life throws at us on our own. Coaching sessions can be as beneficial as therapy and often my clients are also in therapy and have been referred to me for Enneagram work by therapists. Two of my favorite reviews were that working with me was “pre-therapy” and “therapy-adjacent.”

No way. Although the Enneagram has been used by nearly all faith traditions over thousands of years, it is not owned or claimed by any of them. It has connections to many universal ideas and  truths that apply to all of humankind. Some terminology may have roots in religion, for example “passions and virtues” are Christian faith terms because of when and by who this part of Enneagram theory was named. However, part of the reason I created my own curriculum was to “neutralize” some of the language that was used in past resources I used. I am very sensitive to the different experiences many of us have had in churches and with religions, including trauma and harm done in the name of God. I am always working to make sure  my courses and coaching work are inclusive to all people and when I don’t get it right, I try again. Everyone is wanted and welcomed here – I truly mean that.  

Great! You are welcome to bring your whole self and your faith is a part of that. There is no dogma or doctrine to push against, just universal truths about the human experience that will help you along your way.

The Enneagram does not put you in a box — but it does show you the box you are already in and a way out. The Enneagram helps us see the automatic and hardwired patterns we repeat throughout our lives. Stressed? You probably respond similarly each time.  Sad? There is probably a pattern for how you handle that.  Angry?  Stuff it, explode or somewhere in between? My guess is as life happens you respond how I do: pretty much the same way each time. You may even describe yourself in a patterned way — an empath, a doer, no-nonsense, goal-oriented, etc. Each day our personality tries to keep us responding, thinking, feeling, doing, acting in the exact same ways. “The box” is the personality— once we become aware of our patterns and see how they were early survival strategies in childhood  we can choose to let some of those go (AKA - the way out). I promise not to pigeon-hole you and will walk with you as you discover more about yourself.

I get that. This won’t be for everyone today. I undercharged for a long time in order to be helpful/be kind/be generous/be over-accommodating/be “good” — all patterns of that "box" my personality was keeping me in.  The truth is: The content is great.  The discussion is fantastic. The experience is rich with humanity and compassion. I created the group that I needed: a safe space to work these things out. For those that engage with the material and practice self-observation, you will get more than  your money’s worth.

I am a Certified Enneagram Teacher through Chestnut Paes Enneagram Academy where I continue to train with Bea Chestnut and Uranio Paes. I first started facilitating Enneagram classes in September of 2019 & used Suzanne Stabile’s “Enneagram Journey” curriculum until January 2021. Since then, I have created my own curriculum and combined that with teachings and ideas from other Enneagram and spiritual teachers I admire and respect. My schooling was in Sociology, Psychology and Adolescent Studies. 

Aside from professional training, I love people and work hard to make them feel seen and understood. There are many people out there doing good Enneagram work and it’s important to find someone you get along with while also experiencing growth and change. However, this I know is true: I’ve spent most of my life searching for ways to improve, change and grow.  I have read innumerable self-help and religious and spiritual books that offered change and hope.  I have done the full gamut of therapies:  EMDR, CBT, group, somatic, neurofeedback, IFS, etc. All of my therapeutic experiences have been (and continue to be) beneficial, and yet the same issues kept coming up. The Enneagram gave name and understanding to what I could not figure out on my own. I am a friend to grief, depression,  anxiety and neurodivergence. I understand exhaustion— I have four children, a dog and a messy house. I don’t and won’t pretend to be something I’m not and I share freely of my own experiences with honesty and vulnerability. I have combined my formal training with my experiences to create an environment where I hope you’ll find a safe, fun and expansive space.