The Narrative Enneagram

What The Narrative Enneagram does

The Narrative Enneagram is a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit and membership organization co-founded in 1988 by Helen Palmer and David Daniels, MD, headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, with primary in-person training delivered at Iliff School of Theology in Denver. The organization teaches the Enneagram personality system through a curriculum that integrates three developmental paths — psychological (habits and type patterns), spiritual (receptivity and presence), and somatic (body awareness) — delivered via the Narrative Tradition method, in which students learn from live type panels rather than didactic instruction. The core product is a four-course Foundational Courses sequence (Experiencing the Narrative Enneagram, Exploring Instinctual Subtypes, Engaging Transformational Growth, Deepening Spiritual Awareness) sold individually or as a bundled yearlong cohort.

The business model combines four revenue streams: course and workshop tuition ranging from $0 to $2,695 (with full professional certification priced at $2,695 including a $1,000 practicum fee); annual membership subscriptions providing access to community gatherings, a resource hub, and member discounts; tax-deductible donations supporting scholarships and operations; and merchandise/publications sold through a separate online store. The customer base spans individual learners, licensed therapists and counselors, professional coaches, spiritual directors, business and HR leaders, and educators, with continuing-education accreditation (NBCC ACEP No. 7892, ICF CCE) opening the professional channel. TNE serves 1,500+ students annually across hybrid online and in-person formats, has certified 1,680+ teachers and practitioners cumulatively, and operates through international certifying affiliates in 16 countries. Distribution is primarily self-serve via the MyTNE portal and Zoom-based live cohorts, with a Teacher/Practitioner Directory functioning as a network-effect funnel for new students.

Name

The Narrative Enneagram

Legal name

The Narrative Enneagram

Website

https://narrativeenneagram.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Narrative Enneagram is a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit, founded in 1988, that teaches the Enneagram personality system through foundational courses, professional certification, and community membership, serving individual learners, therapists, coaches, and organizational leaders in 16 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Development Training

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Learning Strategy, Instructional Design & Content Development (BPACANAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Certification & Exam Prep eLearning Modules (EDAGAEAL), eLearning & Microlearning Module Development (EDAGAKAD)

Keywords

• Enneagram education programs
• Personality certification training
• Professional coaching certification
• Personal development workshops
• Spiritual formation courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Boulder

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Educational Programs and Certification: Revenue from course fees, workshop registrations, and professional certification tuition. Programs range from single workshops ($0-$1,295) to comprehensive certification tracks ($2,695 total). Payment plans available for larger programs.
2. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership providing access to community gatherings, resource hub, member discounts on programs, and networking opportunities within the Narrative Enneagram community.
3. Donations and Grants: Tax-deductible charitable contributions supporting scholarship programs and organizational mission. Fundraising events and donor cultivation mentioned as part of operations.
4. Store and Publications: Merchandise and potentially published books/resources related to Enneagram education sold through the organization store.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Narrative Enneagram delivers experiential Enneagram education through a four-course Foundational Courses program (Experiencing the Narrative Enneagram, Exploring Instinctual Subtypes, Engaging Transformational Growth, and Deepening Spiritual Awareness) taught via the Narrative Tradition panel method that integrates psychology, spirituality, and somatics. It also offers a Professional Certification Program (Typing, Teacher, and Practitioner tracks), an annual Community Membership with monthly gatherings, an online Enneagram self-assessment test, and a Teacher/Practitioner Directory. Programs are delivered in hybrid (in-person and live online) formats, supported by the MyTNE member portal.

Product overview

The Narrative Enneagram is an educational nonprofit offering a comprehensive suite of programs centered on the Enneagram personality system. The core offering includes a four-course Foundational Courses program (Experiencing the Narrative Enneagram, Exploring Instinctual Subtypes, Engaging Transformational Growth, and Deepening Spiritual Awareness) that teaches through the experiential Narrative Tradition panel method integrating psychology, spirituality, and somatics. This is complemented by a Professional Certification Program with Typing, Teacher, and Practitioner tracks for those seeking to use the Enneagram professionally. Additional offerings include a Community Membership with monthly gatherings, an online Enneagram Test for type discovery, a searchable Teacher and Practitioner Directory, a Free Enneagram Guide, a member portal (MyTNE), and an online Store. Programs are delivered in hybrid (in-person and online) formats, with cohort-based and individual course registrations available.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Foundational Courses Program A four-course experiential program (Experiencing the Narrative Enneagram, Exploring Instinctual Subtypes, Engaging Transformational Growth, and Deepening Spiritual Awareness) using the Narrative Tradition panel method to teach psychological, somatic, and spiritual dimensions of the nine Enneagram types. Available as a yearlong cohort or individual course registrations.
• Experiencing the Narrative Enneagram The introductory foundational course providing an immersive introduction to the Enneagram through type panels, small groups, and practices exploring psychological, somatic, and spiritual dimensions of personality. Offered online ($650 standard) and in-person ($850 standard, $395 audit).
• Exploring Instinctual Subtypes A foundational course (20+ hours) exploring the three instinctual drives (self-preservation, one-to-one, social) and their influence on daily experiences, relationships, and variations among people of the same Enneagram type. Offered online ($650 standard) and in-person ($875 standard).
• Engaging Transformational Growth A foundational course focused on the defense system of each Enneagram type, bringing awareness to unconscious patterns and identifying next steps for growth.
• Deepening Spiritual Awareness

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,680+ individuals certified as Teachers and Practitioners since 1988
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• International Enneagram Association (IEA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMutual recognition and accreditation relationship. IEA created the 'Accredited School with Distinction' designation and awarded this to TNE as the first recipient. TNE was founded by IEA founders David Daniels and Helen Palmer. Organizations collaborate on field development and community standards.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Center for Creative Leadership (CCL): CCL is a leading provider of executive education, leadership development, and coach training programs. It competes with TNE for organizational training budgets and for the cohort of leadership coaches who might also pursue Enneagram certifications.
• International Enneagram Association (IEA): IEA is the global accreditation body and convener of the Enneagram community, hosting conferences and accrediting schools including TNE. While not a direct commercial competitor, IEA shapes industry standards and runs its own educational events and conferences that compete for Enneagram-learner attention and spend.
• Gallup (CliftonStrengths): Gallup offers CliftonStrengths as the leading strengths-based assessment used in corporate leadership development and coaching. It competes with TNE for the same corporate training dollars and coach-credential ecosystem, though its methodology is different.
• The Myers-Briggs Company (MBTI): The Myers-Briggs Company is the dominant personality assessment provider globally and competes with TNE for organizational L&D budgets. While based on a different framework, it is the primary alternative that corporate buyers consider when allocating personality-training spend.
• Hogan Assessments: Hogan is a major personality assessment provider used heavily in executive selection, leadership development, and coach certification. It competes indirectly with TNE for the organizational assessment/training market and for coaches choosing a specialization.

Direct peers

• Enneagram Institute (Riso-Hudson): The Enneagram Institute is the most prominent direct competitor, founded by Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson. It offers RHETI (Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator) assessments, professional training programs (Teachers, Practitioners, Narrative teachers), and certifications that directly overlap with TNE's offerings, competing for the same coaches, therapists, and personal-development students.
• Tilt at Wisdom Foundation (Claudio Naranjo): Tilt at Wisdom, founded by Claudio Naranjo, was one of the original "Enneagram schools" alongside TNE's lineage (Naranjo trained the founders). It offers professional Enneagram teacher certification, training intensives, and retreats that directly compete with TNE for the same cohort of therapists, coaches, and personal-development practitioners.
• Enneagram Worldwide (Wagner / Chestnut PA): Enneagram Worldwide, founded by Mario Sikora and the Chestnut team, offers a competing Enneagram certification pathway (including an Integrated Enneagram Solution approach) and corporate training programs. It targets the same professional coaching and organizational development market as TNE.
• Deep Coaching (with the Enneagram): Deep Coaching offers Enneagram-based coach certification and instructor programs, founded by Integrative Enneagram Solutions practitioners. It is a more niche but direct competitor in the professional coach certification space that TNE also targets with its Practitioner track.

Emerging players

• Integrative9 (Integrative Enneagram): Integrative9 is a newer Enneagram-based training and app platform offering online certification modules and a community-focused approach. It represents the digital-native, lower-cost emerging alternative to TNE's intensive in-person certification model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NarrativeEnnea
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCKCND3OPFdFeiBg3ISIF3OA
• Facebookfacebook.com/narrativeenneagram
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/enneagram-in-the-narrative-tradition
• Instagraminstagram.com/narrativeenneagram
• Pinterestpinterest.com/narrativeenneagram

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Narrative Enneagram