Enneagram Type 7
The Enneagram is such a powerful tool to use in therapy or Enneagram coaching. When my clients find their correct type and resonate with the work of that type, it accelerates their self-awareness and self-growth. The Enneagram acts like a mirror and a compass. My clients can see the good, the bad, and the ugly AND understand what’s keeping them stuck. They learn how to break the cycles that are keeping them stuck and preventing them from thriving. If you study the Enneagram, you know that it goes SO MUCH deeper than what a small blog or social media post can describe. The Enneagram is just as complex as the humans it represents. Keep that in mind, and here are some basics about Enneagram Type 7.
Type 7
Core Emotion: Fear (Externalizing)
Filter: There is a world of opportunity and so many possibilities
Energetics: Bouncy, wiry, upbeat, positive
Traits: Optimistic, friendly, fast intellect, hedonistic, run from negativity, hard to commit, busy
Values: Excitement, newness, ingenuity, humor
Childhood: Learned early on that they might get trapped in their emotions- this is a deep fear, often felt that they were “too much”
Not afraid to: Express joy, do what feels good, enthusiastically plan and express ideas
Hard for them to: Sit in negative emotions, do anything that makes them feel trapped, slow down
Common Experiences for 7’s
Getting really excited and energized by ideas and planning
Feeling surprised when others get upset with them or tell them they are not emotionally present
Compassion for others (sometimes helping them) and frustration when people don’t help themselves or don’t bounce out of it quickly enough
Not understanding why others have to be so negative, “If you just think more positively”
Saying “yes” to too many things and getting overloaded and burnt-out
Jumping into a project or exciting idea and giving it up when it gets too tedious or boring
Running away (many times literally) when things get hard or too emotional
Type 7 Trauma Response
Seeks Safety Through Intellectual Problem Solving and Avoiding Negative Emotions
Retreating into activities that help maximize positive feelings and excitement
Vigilant adherence to avoiding feelings and situations that may trigger a feeling of being trapped
May lead a life where they never have to “come down” from positivity or slow down
Reliance on the mind and quickly solving problems to minimize experiencing negative feelings
Disconnection from the body and emotions
Pain avoidance is both physical and emotional
May avoid or not feel the body’s signs of pain and over-extension leading to physical injuries
Downplay traumatic experiences and not realize the full impact of abuse. “It wasn’t that bad.” “It was a long time ago, surely it’s not impacting me now.”
Expectations of self and others to move through problems quickly and without much pain. When trauma makes this nearly impossible, 7’s deep fear of being trapped will ignite and may feel terrifying
Fear of being trapped can lead to literally running away
Pain avoidance combined with maximizing pleasure can make 7’s more susceptible to emotional and spiritual bypassing
Holding a core belief that not taking action to remain positive and avoid pain will lead to forever getting trapped in pain. The fear is that the terrible feeling will never pass and they will be overtaken by suffering
No matter where you are in your Enneagram journey, working with an Enneagram therapist will help you create the kind of change you desire in your life. It will help you understand and remove the barriers that your type is creating to having the kind of love and relationships that you want. My goal is for you to walk away from therapy with confidence and a feeling of empowerment. I will help you get clarity on what you need to do to grow into the healthiest version of your type. Our Enneagram work and trauma work is never really fully complete, but Enneagram therapy can help you gain clarity on what you need to heal.
Learn more about Enneagram Therapy
If you are ready to get started, the first step to working together is to schedule a free 20 minute phone consultation. Investing your time, money, and emotional energy into therapy or coaching is a big deal. It’s an investment in yourself and your wellbeing. It’s important that you make this investment with trust and confidence that working together is a good fit. This is why I offer a 20 minute phone consultation. During this time we can identify your needs and answer any questions that you have about working together.
Hanna Woody is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Asheville, North Carolina. She has over 12 years of professional counseling experience and specializes in breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma, childhood trauma, and the Enneagram. Certified in the Embodiment Tradition, she has over 150 hours of training and teaching experience. Hanna is in private practice and provides online mental health therapy, Enneagram coaching, and Enneagram training.