Mission


The Enneagram of Essence is dedicated to providing a holistic approach to Enneagram education that emphasizes the nourishing and transformative power of essence over personality. My mission is twofold: to guide individuals on a profound journey of self-discovery and to spread this holistic approach to the broader Enneagram community.

I firmly believe that essence is the most significant and often overlooked aspect of the Enneagram model, and I am wholeheartedly committed to helping others recognize its profound power. Through my essence teachings, comprehensive online resources, and personalized guidance, I empower individuals to transcend the constraints of their personalities and nourish the depths of their authentic selves.

By sharing my knowledge and experiences, I aim to inspire a paradigm shift within the Enneagram community, encouraging a greater appreciation and understanding of the pivotal role of essence in personal growth and transformation. Together, we can foster a more holistic and practical approach to the Enneagram, enriching the lives of everyone who encounters this profound system and making the transformative journey more accessible.

Vision

My vision for The Enneagram of Essence is to become a leading model empowering individuals on their transformation journeys through the Enneagram of Personality and of course Essence. I aim to share this unique wisdom and make a positive impact across the Enneagram community worldwide.

As this model continues to grow and evolve, my vision extends to welcoming additional facilitators to join the Enneagram of Essence. I aspire to build a collaborative network of kindred professionals who share a passion for the Enneagram Essence and are committed to guiding individuals towards self-discovery, growth, and wholeness.

I envision creating a much larger and vibrant online community with comprehensive resources, workshops, and inspiring discussions.

The Enneagram of Essence will serve as a trusted hub of practical wisdom, attracting inspiring facilitators and enhancing our offerings. Together, we will make a positive impact on the broader Enneagram community.

Ultimately, I aim to empower individuals to unlock their true essence and contribute to a more conscious, compassionate, and harmonious world.

Join me on this transformative journey as we illuminate beauty, foster empowerment, and inspire love accross the Global Enneagram Community.

Founder

Hello, I'm Tammy Hendrix, LCSW, a licensed and IEA accredited Enneagram psychotherapist and teacher. Specializing in sensory practices, my focus is on awakening body awareness, nourishing the nervous system, and guiding individuals on their journey to embody their essence.

I grew up immersed in the Enneagram, studying alongside my mother, Lissa Friedman, PhD, an esteemed Enneagram teacher from Oscar Ichazo's Arica School. Over two decades, I dedicated myself to learning from various Enneagram experts, honing my skills. For the past ten years, I've been sharing my expertise through teaching, counseling, and writing.

In developing this model, I integrated many traditions such as Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Jungian Shadow-Archetype, Somatic Experiencing, Sound Healing, Goddess Embodiment, Mindfulness Hypnotherapy, Radical Self-Acceptance, and more.

These are my professional credentials:

  • Enneagram Psychotherapy Private Practice, 2009-Present

  • Founder and Core Faculty, Enneagram of Essence, 2020-present

  • Co-Founder and Core Faculty, Enneagram School of Awakening, 2013-2023

  • Accredited Enneagram Professional, IEA, 2021

  • Certification, Enneagram School of Awakening, 2012-2013

  • PhD Studies, ICSW, 2009-2010

  • MSW, Florida State University, 2006

Background

Over many years as an Enneagram educator and therapist, I’ve gathered a reservoir of insights and therapeutic gems. With this wisdom, I present clear steps to navigate the Enneagram. 

Woven into these teachings, I share my personal stories—revealing how I discovered a facet of myself in each type. 

My aim? To inspire you to uncover your own facets. 

Ready for a glimpse? Let me share the transformative time that first drew me to the Enneagram.

That Time I Heard the Enneagram’s Call

For over two decades, I’ve been on a remarkable journey with the Enneagram—a path that began before I even knew it would call upon me. You could say it’s in my blood. 

This ancient model has been both my guide and my muse.

I was around twenty years old when I first stumbled upon my mother’s well-read Enneagram books, filled with hand-scribbled notes and reflections. They were displayed on shelves that welcomed guests in the foyer at her home—almost as if they were calling to me each time I entered.

My mother, a visionary who studied with the original legends of the Enneagram, founded The Embodiment Tradition—a visceral approach that piqued my interest. 

Her influence was a light that drew me to the mystical world of the Enneagram.

On a steamy Florida morning, I had the opportunity to attend one of her day-long Enneagram workshops. It was a whirlwind of insights, exercises, and profound connections. I found myself drawn into this intricate realm, feeling both challenged and enchanted by its complexity.

But that was just the beginning. 

That hot summer workshop marked not just an introduction but a portal into a transformative journey. I couldn’t have known then how those ancient symbols and concepts would take hold of my heart, igniting a lifelong passion.

I went on to study with many of the Enneagram teachers of the 2000s, delving into various perspectives. However, as I immersed myself in the traditional approach over the years, a restlessness began to grow within me—a hunger for something more nurturing, more holistic, more real.

This inspired me to evolve the Enneagram beyond insight, into a practical guide—emphasizing wholeness and healing through essence. As a somatic psychotherapist I already had a wealth of resources to explore healing beyond cognitive analysis. Somatic therapy techniques emphasize bodily sensations, nurturing nervous system awareness and wellness. 

Knowing how to cultivate real and lasting transformation through the body is essential for tapping into essence.

This approach is profound yet practical—integrating the ancient wisdom of the Enneagram and the modern science of somatic psychology. And it all began with that time I heard the call of the Enneagram, guided by my mother’s wisdom as I set forth on a path all my own.

A journey that I now invite you to join. Are you ready to embrace your wholeness?