From the Greek ennea which means “nine” and gramma which means “sign”, the enneagram is a model of personality which makes it possible to understand the mode of functioning of a given individual. Indeed, this tool makes it possible to precisely identify the profile of an individual and his personality characteristics, taking into account the different facets of his personality.

It is represented in the form of a geometric figure composed of a circle and 9 points, each point corresponding to a personality profile. Some profiles are linked together by an arrow, which makes it a dynamic model since it attaches importance to the links between the 9 types.

This model is based on the principle that each individual has several facets, including a dominant facet which is the one that the individual first developed during his childhood and which led him to adopt automatisms that can be detrimental to him.

Thanks to the enneagram, the individual will be able to become aware in a roundabout way of the repetitive habits and patterns that he has put in place since his childhood. This information, which takes into account the limits and strengths of the individual, will allow him to improve and evolve positively.

It was the spiritual master Georges Ivanovich Gurdjieff who made the enneagram popular in the West in the early 1920s without having explained it precisely. In 1960, Oscar Ichazo theorized and taught the foundations of the ennégramme in Bolivia and Chile. He exported his theory ten years later to the United States where he created the Arica Institute. One of his pupils, Claudio Naranjo, decided to link the enneagram with psychology, which gave him all its therapeutic interest.

The enneagram is very effective for individuals wishing to initiate a process of personal development since it is above all a tool for self-observation. This tool is used by some practitioners in order to enhance the potential of their patients and lead them towards a positive development of themselves and a better knowledge of their way of functioning.

It is also used in the corporate world where it is used to prevent psycho-social risks, to better manage a team and to improve productivity.

The enneagram is taught in psychology at most American universities, including the University of California and the University of Nebraska. It is also taught in Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Germany etc.

In recent years, there have been training courses on the enneagram everywhere in France, whether in Lyon, Paris, Nantes or Bordeaux. The content of the modules and the duration of the training depends on the organization responsible for it. As a general rule, the modules last two days each. Since there are several modules, the training therefore generally lasts 20 to 30 days.

Modules may differ depending on the type of certification. For example, the French Institute of the Enneagram offers 4 types of certifications that differ depending on the use that the person actually intends, whether for personal or professional use.

Even though the enneagram has been a real success, it remains quite controversial. Indeed, some opponents blame him for the lack of scientific content and its dubious use by some gurus.