70% of Communication in Therapy Is Non-Verbal: Somatic-Enneagram Integration

It’s often said that 70% of communication is non-verbal. In therapy, this truth becomes a doorway to deeper understanding and healing. Non-verbal communication—expressed through posture, breath, facial expressions, tone, and even shared silences—reveals truths that words often struggle to convey.

In my practice, I integrate somatic and Enneagram-inspired approaches to work with these non-verbal layers. By tuning into the body and exploring its wisdom, clients can uncover deeper insights into their patterns and connect with the essential qualities that bring healing and wholeness.

Non-Verbal Communication Through the Lens of the Enneagram

Each Enneagram type has a unique way of communicating non-verbally, rooted in its core patterns. These patterns are not just psychological; they are somatic, showing up in how we hold ourselves, move, and breathe.

Examples of Non-Verbal Expressions by Type:

• Type 2 (The Helper): A leaning-forward posture, seeking connection, often paired with warm eye contact and an expressive tone.

• Type 5 (The Investigator): A tendency to withdraw physically, crossing arms or creating distance to protect their energy and space.

• Type 7 (The Enthusiast): Animated gestures, quick movements, and an energetic tone that reflects their forward-moving drive for stimulation.

These non-verbal patterns reveal the type’s underlying motivations and fears. For instance, a Type 1’s rigid posture might reflect their need for integrity and perfection, while a Type 9’s soft, diffuse presence might reflect their desire to avoid conflict and maintain harmony.

Key Somatic Practices I Use in My Therapy Approach

Somatic therapy bridges the gap between mind and body, helping clients access emotions, memories, and archetypal patterns held within. Through a combination of body awareness, breath, movement, and self-touch, I guide clients in exploring the non-verbal layers of their experience, often through the lens of the Enneagram.

• Body Awareness as a Portal:
  The body is a gateway to understanding emotions that words can’t fully express. Clients learn to notice sensations such as tightness, tension, or shifts in posture. For example, a tight chest might signal fear or longing, reflecting a Type 6’s search for safety, while a rigid stance might highlight a Type 1’s striving for control.

• Archetypal Patterns in the Body:
  Each Enneagram type carries a unique somatic signature tied to its archetypal qualities. A protector part, often tied to a Type 8, might show up as clenched jaws or stiff shoulders, while a nurturing part of a Type 2 might feel like warmth in the chest. These embodied patterns offer opportunities to explore both the fixations and the higher essence of each type.

• Breath and Movement for Integration:
  Breath and movement are powerful tools for regulating the nervous system and processing emotions. In my practice, I guide clients in simple, mindful practices—such as grounding breaths to foster trust for a Type 6 or expansive gestures to connect a Type 9 with their vitality.

• Guided Somatic Self-Touch:
  While I do not touch clients, I incorporate somatic self-touch techniques to help clients ground and self-soothe. Practices might include placing a hand on the heart for self-compassion, applying gentle pressure to the legs for stability, or lightly touching the belly to evoke a sense of inner safety. These techniques empower clients to create their own sense of containment and presence.

Non-Verbal Healing Through the Enneagram

The Enneagram adds a rich, archetypal framework to somatic therapy. Each type reflects universal patterns of personality and essence, and these are often expressed somatically. By bringing awareness to these patterns in the body, clients can connect with the essence of their type, moving beyond fixation to embody the qualities of wholeness.

For example:

• A Type 3 might release performance-driven tension through grounding practices, reconnecting with their intrinsic worth.

• A Type 5 might embody the spaciousness of their wisdom through breath-focused exercises.

• A Type 9 might use energizing movements to reconnect with their vitality and presence.

By integrating these practices, clients can experience healing as a holistic process—one that engages the mind, body, and the essence of their type.

The Power of the Unspoken

In therapy, words are only one part of the story. The body, breath, and non-verbal connection tell the rest. Through somatic practices and the Enneagram’s wisdom, clients can access the deeper truths held within their bodies, explore the archetypal energies shaping their lives, and connect with the essential qualities that bring healing and wholeness.

If you’re curious about exploring therapy that honors the unspoken and integrates the body’s wisdom with the Enneagram, I invite you to connect with me. Together, we’ll create a space for transformation—one that speaks to every part of your being.

References:

• Gendlin, E. T. (1981). Focusing. Bantam.

• Levine, P. A. (1997). Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma. North Atlantic Books.

• McConnell, S. (2020). Somatic Internal Family Systems Therapy. North Atlantic Books.

• Riso, D. R., & Hudson, R. (1999). The Wisdom of the Enneagram. Bantam Books.

• Siegel, D. J. (2010). The Mindful Therapist: A Clinician's Guide to Mindsight and Neural Integration. W. W. Norton & Company.