Enneagram Type 2: The Helper

 Are you interested in Enneagram Type 2 (The Helper)? Then this guide is for you!

The Enneagram type 2 personality is often referred to as the Helper or the Caregiver. This is because someone of this type is likely to step in to help others whenever a need arises. Highly empathetic, an individual with this personality will often go above and beyond to improve the lives of anyone around him or her.

Although the need to help others comes innately to the type 2, there are often ulterior motives that make the Helper give so much. This person needs to feel appreciated and needed by those that he or she serves.

Without this reciprocation, the Helper may try to manipulate situations and feelings to get the recognition the individual feels is much deserved.

Enneagram Type 2: Common Personality Traits

Sincere and caring, those with the Enneagram type 2 personality easily recognize when others have needs. These individuals are the first to be ready to lend a hand, often to the point of neglecting themselves and their own needs in the process.

Taking the role of caregiver to others very seriously, Helpers aren’t always able to identify their own wants and needs. This can lead to type 2s burning out rather quickly if they don’t take the time necessary to care for themselves.

Basic Desire

The basic desire of all Enneagram type 2 personalities is to be loved, needed, and accepted for who they are. Those of this type will often do more than what is necessary to feel this type of acceptance from those around them.

Basic Fear

Not being needed and being unlovable for who they really are might be considered the basic fears of individuals who claim the Enneagram type 2 personality. In fact, these basic fears often drive Helpers into their roles as caregivers to others just to gain that acceptance and the feeling of being needed.

Relating to Someone Who Is an Enneagram Type 2

Whether it be friendships or deeper relationships, building connections with others is highly important to someone of this type. Typically seen as extraverted, this individual is willing to offer unconditional support to anyone in need.

Because the Helper is so genuinely friendly and caring, other people are naturally drawn to someone of this type. Not only is this type generous with his or her time and assistance, but this person is also prone to dishing out flattery and compliments to help others feel appreciated.

Self worth is at the heart of the motivation of this individual. The Helper can become prideful or arrogant of his or her own importance of being needed in the lives of others.

This person may worry about his or her own significance. If he or she doesn’t feel valued, this may cause the individual to provide help even where it is neither wanted nor needed.

Careers and Hobbies

It’s not surprising to learn that Enneagram type 2 personalities are drawn to the helping and care-giving fields when it comes to finding careers. Because they have a firm desire to be needed, certain jobs would be better suited than others for those with this type:

• Social worker
• Teacher
• Counselor
• Philanthropist
• Police Officer
• Bartender
• Therapist

Spending time with friends, volunteering for a cause that helps others or animals, gardening, cooking and baking are some hobbies in which Helpers are often fond of. This is especially true when they can help others while enjoying themselves at the same time.

Enneagram Type 2 and the Various Levels of Health

Every Enneagram personality type can vary based on the level of health that the individual is experiencing at the time. The three levels of health are healthy, average, and unhealthy. Whichever level the Helper is experiencing will determine some of the personality traits that are portrayed by the type 2 at that point in time.

The Enneagram Type 2 at Healthy Levels

The individual understands his or her own self worth without feeling the need to manipulate situations or people into providing this acceptance on the person’s behalf. Rather than spending all of his or her time doing things for others, this person will take the much-needed time for self care.

As the individual becomes more self aware, creativity can develop. Humility allows this person to strike a great balance between helping others and allowing those people to take care of some of their own responsibilities rather than the Helper feeling the need to do all of the work for them.

The Helper of Average Health

While the Enneagram type 2 personality at an average level of health is still ultimately caring and helpful, the Helper is more likely to lose focus on his or her own needs at this point. Pleasing others solely for acceptance can become all encompassing for the Enneagram type 2 personality.

Much time may be spent worrying about how other people may feel about this person, leading to behavior that can be seen as overbearing or clingy. The helper may feel that others are taking advantage, which can lead to passive-aggressive behavior on the part of the type 2 individual.

The Unhealthy Type 9 Personality

At the unhealthy phase, the Enneagram type 2 personality may feel that other are taking advantage of his or her kindness and generosity. This can lead to feelings of resentment, with the individual feeling more like a martyr.

Alternatively, the Helper may become controlling, creating dependency with others. Becoming increasingly unpredictable, the type 2 may resort to playing mind games, causing others to feel like they have to tread lightly, walking on egg shells, to avoid backlash from this person.

Celebrities with the Enneagram Type 2 Personality

Dolly Parton, Stevie Wonder, Lewis Carrol, Jessica Alba, and Maya Angelou are some famous people who are likely to be Helpers. In addition, fictional characters who have this personality type include Santa Clause and the Fairy Godmother.