Temperament Analysis by the Arno Profile System
The Arno Profile System is a clinical diagnostic tool used by the National Christian Counselors Association to assess a person’s God-given temperament. It is extremely valuable in helping the client better understand themselves and also for the counselor to be more effective with each person.
History of Arno Profile System
Drs. Richard and Phyllis Arno are the founders of the National Christian Counselors Association. In 1983, they conducted research and developed a scripturally-based therapeutic procedure that would produce effective, positive, and more immediate results with those needing guidance/counsel.
During this time of research, the Arnos worked with more than 5,000 individuals. These were persons who sought counseling for depression, inter/intra-personal conflict, marriage and family dysfunction, and anxiety.
The purpose of this research was to develop an accurate, clinical, testing procedure for initial identification of the counselee’s inborn, God-given tendencies/temperament.
In-depth studies were conducted, during this same time, on all of the current psychological tests and/or behavioral inventories. For many reasons, Drs. Arno selected the FIRO-B, which was developed by Dr. Will Schutz, as their initial measuring device or questionnaire.
The Arnos named their analysis procedure the Temperament Analysis Profile (T.A.P.) and subsequently re-titled it in November 2000 to the Arno Profile System. It reveals the “hidden problems” that normally take the counselor seven or eight sessions to identify. Presently, over 3,000 Christian leaders, ministers and professional Christian counselors rely on the Arno Profile System to aid them in their counseling efforts. These Christians report an accuracy rate of over ninety-percent (90%) in identifying an individual’s inborn, God-given temperament.
Temperament Needs
The Arno Profile System does not measure a person’s behavior; it identifies a person’s inborn, God-given temperament. Who God created us to be (temperament) and who we become (through learned behavior) can be entirely different. We need to find out who we really are, and find ways to become the person God wants us to be (the true self) instead of the person we have learned to be (the masked self).
The system looks at a person’s temperament needs in three different areas:
- Inclusion – social orientation. It addresses our need to be around others.
- Control – are we relatively independent or dependent upon others in relationship situations.
- Affection – how much love and affection do we require from our deep personal relationships.
See some specific client benefits of the Arno Profile System analysis.
Temperament Types
Traditionally, there have been four temperaments:
Drs. Arno also identified another temperament. The fifth temperament is called the Supine. This identification area describes a person who is a servant and feels that he or she has little or no value.
The information that the A.P.S. places in the hands of a Christian counselor is biblical, extremely important and state-of-the-art. It only takes 8 to 10 minutes for the counselee to respond to the 60 questions.
The counselor generates a “clinical diagnostic report” from which to do the session and, as a courtesy to our clients. we give them a personalized “Special Personal Profile“. Click here to see a sample.
The Arno Profile System, that was developed and continues to be taught by Drs. Richard and Phyllis Arno, is highly recognized, accepted, very professional, and a tremendous asset to all Christian counselors.
See descriptions of all the temperaments:
Melancholy | Supine | Sanguine | Choleric | Phlegmatic