Russ Hudson on the Higher Qualities of the Enneagram | A Conversation with Michelle Joy, MFT
In this conversation with couples therapist Michelle Joy, founder of The Developmental Enneagram for Couples, renowned Enneagram teacher Russ Hudson explores the deeper dimensions of the Enneagram- including virtues, essence qualities, holy ideas, and how clinicians, coaches, and helping professionals can use the system to support meaningful transformation.Â
Interview with Russ Hudson on the Higher Qualities of the Enneagram
About Russ Hudson
Russ Hudson is one of the most influential modern teachers of the Enneagram and co-author, with Don Riso, of the bestselling book The Wisdom of the Enneagram. He is the co-founder of the Enneagram Institute and co-developer of the Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator (RHETI), one of the most widely used Enneagram personality assessments.
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Through decades of teaching, writing, and training professionals around the world, Russ Hudson has helped shape how the Enneagram is understood and applied in psychology, leadership, and personal development. His work emphasizes the deeper spiritual and psychological dimensions of the Enneagram, including essence, virtues, and what he calls the “higher qualities” of the nine types.
About Michelle Joy
Michelle Joy, MFT is a couples therapist, certified Enneagram teacher, and founder of The Developmental Enneagram for Couples, an approach that integrates the Enneagram with developmental relationship theory to help couples transform conflict into deeper understanding, differentiation, and connection.
For nearly 25 years Michelle has specialized in working with couples and teaching the Enneagram in relational contexts. She presents her work internationally, has spoken at conferences hosted by the International Enneagram Association, and hosts the Enneagram Summit for the Helping Profession, where leading voices in psychology and the Enneagram share their work with therapists, coaches, and helping professionals worldwide.
Key Topics Discussed in This Conversation:
- Higher qualities of the Enneagram
- Virtues and passions in Enneagram growth
- Essence qualities of the nine types
- Holy ideas and Enneagram perspectives
- Using the Enneagram in therapy and coaching
- Psychological and spiritual integration in Enneagram work