The Instinctual Subtypes and Relationships

The Enneagram is a powerful system for learning about ourselves and the people in our lives. Perhaps the most widely used application is for building better relationships. Knowing about each personality type and how they see the world, their major concerns, and their communication style, helps us to be more empathic and effective. And in doing so we become more familiar with our own patterns and how we can bring awareness and flexibility to our relationships at home and at work. 

Learning about our instincts and subtype can make a huge difference in our significant relationships. Our subtype can be as important, or even more important, than our personality type! We have all three instincts, but when our primary focus is on self preservation, or one to one connecting, or social belonging – this shapes our primary concerns and goals in life, our habit of attention, and our style in relationships. 

While there are 45 different combinations for the nine personality types, there are only 6 relationship combinations for the three subtype groups. In this workshop we will explore the benefits and the difficulties that show up and how we can build our capacity to connect and care with people of a different subtype as well as people of the same subtype. (We will be working with the subtypes as three groups rather than the 27 specific subtypes). 

You will learn:

• Common patterns in the six relationship combinations; the pros and cons of different subtypes in relationships and for same subtype relationships. 
• Practical suggestions for improving your relationships with each of the three subtype groups. 
• What you need to know about your basic needs and priorities, and what to know about theirs. 

The format will include presentations, discussion and breakout groups. Each person will receive a digital copy of Peter’s “Subtypes in Relationships” handbook upon registering. You don’t have to know your subtype to attend, but basic enneagram knowledge is required. We won’t be covering each of the 27 subtypes in this one-day workshop but rather looking at the patterns of the three subtype groups: Self Preservation folks, Sexual or One to One people, and Socials. 

About Peter O’Hanrahan: 

I have been working with instincts and subtypes since the late 1970’s, right after I learned about the nine personality types in ‘78. Over the years I have gotten to know each of the 27 subtypes well in both my personal life and professional practice as a counselor and body therapist. I’ve taught subtypes workshops in many places around the world over the years, often starting with a basic panel workshop and then following up with advanced workshops on Working with Instincts and Subtypes, Relationships, and more. 

I continue to teach Instincts & Subtypes panel workshops as part of the Narrative Enneagram program. It’s a wonderful part of the enneagram system. It shows us how we are formed at the intersection of spirit and biology, how our emotional habit combines with the instincts for better and worse, and how to understand the important variations within the nine personality types. 

Schedule:

8am to 3pm US Pacific time, with a 40 minute break in the middle. 

Workshop fee: US $165