Exploring Personality Types Through Telehealth Therapy
Understanding Your Personality Type Through Telehealth Therapy
Personality assessments can be valuable tools for self-discovery, revealing insights about our motivations, behaviors, emotional tendencies, thought patterns, and interpersonal dynamics. While these assessments serve many practical functions, they can be particularly beneficial when explored with a licensed clinical social worker in a therapeutic setting, helping you gain deeper self-awareness and understanding.
Personality-type assessments come in various forms, from structured interviews to questionnaire-based evaluations. Many people are familiar with online personality quizzes, though professionally administered assessments like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and The Big 5 Personality Test often provide more comprehensive insights.
It’s essential to remember that personality descriptions within these assessments offer broad overviews rather than absolute definitions. Human personalities are dynamic and multifaceted, often changing with time and circumstances. When discussing assessment results with your ReachLink therapist, you may find some aspects resonate strongly while others seem less accurate—this is completely normal.
What is a personality type?
The American Psychological Association defines personality type as “any of the specific categories into which human beings may be classified on the basis of personality traits, attitudes, behavior patterns, physique, or other outstanding characteristics.”
Personality types are frequently organized into opposing categories—for example, psychologist Carl Jung’s concept of introversion versus extroversion. However, most people don’t fit neatly into one category or another but exist somewhere along a spectrum between these traits.
The Myers-Briggs personality type indicator
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is among the most widely recognized personality assessments, categorizing personalities according to four core sets of opposing traits. When combined, these traits create a more comprehensive personality profile. The four primary trait pairings include:
- Thinking/Feeling
- Sensing/Intuiting
- Judging/Perceiving
- Introversion/Extroversion
The MBTI identifies 16 personality types based on combinations of these eight traits. Each type exists on a spectrum and has unique strengths and potential growth areas. During telehealth sessions with your ReachLink therapist, understanding these aspects of your personality can provide valuable context for addressing relationship challenges, making important life decisions, or developing personal growth strategies.
The following descriptions provide a general overview of the 16 MBTI personality types. Remember that these are frameworks for understanding, not definitive labels—each person possesses unique traits that may or may not align with these categories.
ENTJ – Extroversion, intuiting, thinking, judging
ENTJs tend to be decisive and straightforward, naturally assuming leadership roles. They excel at identifying inefficiencies and illogical approaches, implementing systematic solutions to problems. With a focus on long-term goals, ENTJs appreciate conceptual thinking and enjoy both learning and teaching others.
ENFJ – Extroversion, intuiting, feeling, judging
ENFJs typically demonstrate strong empathy and warmth, with genuine concern for others’ emotional well-being. Sociable and supportive, they’re often motivated to help others reach their full potential. ENFJs tend to be responsive to feedback, adjusting their behavior appropriately to criticism or praise. This type is often called the “protagonist personality.”
ESFJ – Extroversion, sensing, feeling, judging
ESFJs combine warmth with conscientiousness, typically demonstrating accuracy and promptness in their responsibilities. They’re quick to notice and respond to others’ needs, preferring collaborative environments with minimal conflict.
ESTJ – Extroversion, sensing, thinking, judging
ESTJs tend to be practical and realistic, demonstrating decisiveness, organization, and efficiency in pursuit of results. They value routine details and address them reliably, applying logical thinking in systematic ways to accomplish tasks.
ENTP – Extroversion, intuiting, thinking, perceiving
ENTPs are typically quick-thinking, alert, resourceful, and outspoken. They excel at tackling complex challenges and working with abstract concepts. With strong people-reading abilities, ENTPs often seek novel approaches to routine tasks, avoiding boredom.
ENFP – Extroversion, intuiting, feeling, perceiving
ENFPs are generally warm and enthusiastic, with a talent for recognizing patterns and acting on them. While they appreciate recognition for their achievements, they’re equally quick to acknowledge others’ accomplishments. Spontaneous and improvisational, ENFPs bring creativity to their endeavors.
ESFP – Extroversion, sensing, feeling, perceiving
ESFPs approach life with outgoing friendliness and enthusiasm for people, experiences, and comfort. They work collaboratively to create positive change, balancing common sense and practicality with a desire for enjoyment. Adaptable and spontaneous, they thrive in group learning environments.
ESTP – Extroversion, sensing, thinking, perceiving
ESTPs typically demonstrate tolerance and flexibility while maintaining practicality. Focused on immediate goals rather than abstract theories, they prefer solving concrete problems. Present-oriented and spontaneous, ESTPs learn most effectively through hands-on experience.
INTP – Introversion, intuiting, thinking, perceiving
INTPs seek logical explanations, applying analytical thinking while valuing theoretical frameworks and concepts. Though quiet, they demonstrate flexibility in their approaches. Often skeptical or critical, they can maintain deep focus on areas of interest.
INFP – Introversion, intuiting, feeling, perceiving
INFPs are characterized by strong idealism and commitment to personal values. Loyal in friendships, they’re also curious and effective at translating ideas into action. They strive to understand others and support their growth. While generally adaptable, they remain firm when it comes to their core values.
ISFP – Introversion, sensing, feeling, perceiving
ISFPs combine quietness and sensitivity with friendliness. Present-focused, they prefer working independently and according to their own schedule. Value-oriented and loyal, they typically avoid conflict and don’t impose their views on others.
ISTP – Introversion, sensing, thinking, perceiving
ISTPs demonstrate tolerance and flexibility, quickly observing and addressing problems as they arise. Fascinated by cause-and-effect relationships, they approach challenges with organization, efficiency, and logical thinking.
INTJ – Introversion, intuiting, thinking, judging
INTJs are original thinkers who enjoy implementing their ideas and achieving their goals. With strong long-range vision, they commit fully to projects, organizing and following through to completion. Highly independent, they set high performance standards for themselves and others.
INFJ – Introversion, intuiting, feeling, judging
INFJs place high importance on meaning, seeking to understand people’s motivations. Conscientious and committed to their values, they prioritize outcomes that benefit everyone. They typically approach life with organization and decisiveness.
ISFJ – Introversion, sensing, feeling, judging
ISFJs are often quiet, responsible, and conscientious, honoring their commitments with thoroughness and accuracy. In relationships, they demonstrate loyalty and consideration, with genuine concern for others’ feelings. They value peaceful, harmonious environments.
ISTJ – Introversion, sensing, thinking, judging
ISTJs present as quiet and serious, working diligently toward success through dependability and responsibility. Practical and realistic, they progress steadily toward logical solutions. They appreciate organization and often value tradition.
The Big Five personality factors test
Another widely respected personality assessment is The Big Five, which focuses on five primary dimensions of personality: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism. Each dimension represents a continuum where individuals may score high or low, providing a nuanced picture of personality traits. For example, high openness is associated with creativity and a willingness to experience new things, while high conscientiousness reflects dependability and organization.
Using The Big Five in telehealth therapy allows for a flexible and empirically supported way to explore personality in relation to mental health, coping mechanisms, and interpersonal relationships. When discussed with a therapist, these traits can offer insight into personal strengths and areas for development, helping tailor therapeutic strategies that resonate with your individual profile.
In summary, understanding your personality type—whether through the MBTI, The Big Five, or other assessments—can be a powerful step toward self-awareness and personal growth. Telehealth therapy provides a confidential and convenient platform to explore these insights with the guidance of a licensed professional. By integrating personality knowledge into therapy, you can enhance your understanding of yourself and others, improve relationships, and foster meaningful change in your life.
Embracing this journey of self-discovery through telehealth therapy not only empowers you to navigate life’s challenges more effectively but also supports your ongoing path toward emotional well-being and fulfillment.
