ENFPs are empathic, emotional, and sincere. They want to help others and strive to make the world a better place. Their emotional intelligence can help ENFPs become good therapists. Still, they may have to work on some of their weaker characteristics to excel in their careers!
ENFPs can make good therapists. They have high levels of emotional intelligence, people skills, and a creative approach to problem-solving. They are authentic and sincere and put others at ease. Their open-minded nature helps them be non-judgmental and works well in therapeutic settings.
If you’re an ENFP and want to pursue a career as a therapist, you’ve come to the right place! Our short guide on whether ENFPs make good therapists, as well as the pros and cons, will help you choose a career that best suits you.
Can An ENFP Be A Good Therapist?
ENFPs can make excellent therapists and counselors. But, like any other personality type, there is no ‘perfect’ career for an ENFP. All occupations have advantages and disadvantages that may or may not align with a personality type’s strengths and weaknesses.
ENFPs have natural traits and skills that work well in a therapist role but may also struggle with certain aspects of the job. To understand why ENFPs make good therapists – and why they may not enjoy this career – we’ve put together a short pros and cons list.
Becoming A Therapist As An ENFP: Pros
The first thing you’ll notice when you meet an ENFP is that they are incredibly endearing and have magnetic personalities. They are the perfect example of what a gregarious socialite should be. Their natural people skills help put those around them at ease, and others may feel drawn to their larger-than-life personality.
Individuals with the ENFP personality type can use their charisma and charm to help them become better therapists. Their ability to make others feel comfortable and at ease works well in clinical settings like a therapist’s office.
ENFPs have the ‘Feeling’ trait and use their adept emotional intelligence to understand themselves and others better. ENFPs rely on their feelings to navigate them, making them more empathic and sympathetic to the emotional needs of other people. Their vast knowledge of how emotions impact people also gives them more profound insight into the human condition.
Although ENFPs rely on Perceiving more than thinking, their creativity helps them find unique solutions to puzzles and problems. This works well in a therapeutic environment because they can help others to find new solutions and workarounds to their issues that work for them.
ENFPs are some of the most authentic people around. They believe in being true to themselves and rely on honesty to help others. This sincere approach is beneficial in a career as a therapist. It can help therapy sessions seem less clinical and detached.
One of the best traits that ENFPs have is their ability to remain open-minded. This helps them formulate thoughts and ideas through their unique point of view while also being receptive to different ways of thinking. This is an ideal trait for a therapist, as it helps them connect with their clients as individuals and refrain from judgment in high-stress situations.
People from all walks of life seek out therapy to overcome trauma, grief, and other mental struggles they may have. It’s important to remember that no two clients will ever be the same, so being able to express yourself in the presence of someone who is kind and compassionate and can empathize with your situation is essential to healing. ENFPs are the perfect candidate for this!
Becoming A Therapist As An ENFP: Cons
As we’ve mentioned before, all careers have their advantages and disadvantages. Although ENFPs have several positive traits that lend themselves well to fulfilling the role of a therapist, they also have traits and characteristics that may make this a challenging career choice for them.
Firstly, ENFPs are emotional. Their intense emotions can sometimes lead them to become overly attached to people. They may also become overly involved in a situation. This can make it hard for them to distance themselves from emotionally-charged situations.
Their natural empathy may cause them to become overwhelmed and stressed. It may also have a negative impact on their mental health since ENFPs struggle to separate themselves from others.
Secondly, ENFPs dislike routine. Therapists often follow a strict routine which may conflict with an ENFPs need for change. ENFPs may quickly become bored when forced to stick to a rigid schedule or complete repetitive tasks. ENFPs are free spirits who enjoy setting rules and forging their own paths.
ENFPs are also extroverted. While ENFPs work well with people, they thrive in larger groups. They may struggle to work in a career that requires them to be alone or one-on-one with others, like therapy. ENFPs get their energy from being around others. While they may do well in group counseling, they may not feel fulfilled by a career in which they have a smaller window to socialize.
Lastly, ENFPs are curious. While this may seem like a positive trait for therapy, they may become caught up in their pursuit of knowledge. ENFPs enjoy instant gratification. Clients may take a long time in treatment to open up and share their experiences, thoughts, and emotions. This can frustrate an ENFP who wants to have all the facts in front of them to reach a solution or solve a problem.
Conclusion
With a little bit of patience and practice, ENFPs can quickly become superstars in careers that require them to work with others. That is why ENFPs can make incredible therapists. Their natural inclination to help others and make the world a better place gives way to a long and successful career in the social sciences.
However, ENFPs also tend to want to make their own rules. They can become overly emotional in situations with high emotional tension. A career like this may take a little getting used to!
