Graphology: Self-Improvement Through Graphotherapy
by Nancy Engle, Originally printed in "The Healing Connection", Fall 1998
Reprinted June 10, 2008

When we put pen to paper, we leave a mind print. The written characters are an unconscious testimony to our mental state at the time of the writing. Handwriting is as individual as a fingerprint and reveals how we think, feel, and behave. Graphology, or handwriting analysis, is used to build a personality profile of the individual who penned the message. Because an individual's personality can be determined by analyzing the script, can changing one's writing then affect one's personality?

Graphotherapy, the practice of changing one's personality by changing one's handwriting, was introduced in 1908 (in a report to the Paris Academy of Medicine) by Dr. Edgar Berillon, a psychologist and an authority on mental diseases. This concept was then tested clinically at the Sorbonne between 1929 and 1931 by Dr. Pierre Janet, a professor of psychology at the College de France, and by Professor Charles Henry. The tests focused principally on correcting bad habits in children and changing alcoholic behavior. The results were so impressive, that around 1931, Dr. Pierre Menard began to use the technique of graphotherapy as a therapeutic tool.

To use graphotherapy effectively, one must understand the personality of the individual and how each of the personality characteristics interact and manifest themselves in behavior. Our personality is made up of basic and evaluated traits. A combination of basic traits provides the graphologist with an evaluated trait. For example, a person with the desire for variety (an evaluated trait), will have a weak willpower combined with impatience, and a strong abstract imagination (basic traits). This individual will have a tendency to rush ahead to get to the next task. Because the imagination is constantly proliferating ideas, the individual will have a tendency to drop the current project in favor of something new. Arbitrarily changing one aspect of an individual's writing without thought to the supporting personality characteristics may result in an undesirable personality change. Furthermore, the graphotherapist and the individual are better able to observe the personality changes when they focus on one change at a time. Making too many changes at the same time can result in the graphotherapist being unable to accurately track the results.

About a year ago, I decided to make some graphological changes in order to strengthen my willpower. I had a tendency to desire variety as described above. To help me better achieve my goals, I wanted to diminish the evaluated trait of desire for variety and strengthen the evaluated trait of persistence, which is a combination of willpower, determination and enthusiasm. Since I already possessed enthusiasm and determination (two of the basic traits for persistence), the object was to strengthen my willpower (the third basic trait).

Graphologically speaking, willpower is represented by heavy t-bars. The way one crosses their t's indicates the strength of their willpower, or directed energy, and whether it is active or passive. When an individual has the energy and self-discipline to do and be what he wants, he is a fortunate individual. Since I tended to lack the willpower necessary to accomplish what I wanted to, I decided this was an excellent place to start.

When analyzing the personality based on the t-bar, I look at the length of the cross, the pressure, angle, position and shape. When I looked at my t's, I noticed variety. On the surface, one might think that variety is a positive motivator; however, in graphology, that is not the interpretation when one sees variety in t-bars. In fact, variety in t-bars indicates conflicting goals and confusion in thought and action. While variety is good, confusion is not. So I decided to tackle my t-bars. This does not mean that I was striving for perfection in my t-bars, but that I was looking for consistency.

It is important to understand that the general appearance of the overall script must be taken into consideration as well. A well-developed script, one that shows neatness, readability, and is aesthetically pleasing, offers a less negative interpretation of unfavorable traits, while a script that is poorly formed and poorly organized will warrant a more negative interpretation. This is due to the fact that a poorly executed script is an indication of other problems in the individual's interaction with the environment and with others.

To get started on my self-improvement project I needed to decide on the length of the t-bar I would use. A short bar indicates lack of drive and willpower. An average bar means health, balance, calmness, and self-control in thought and action. A long bar shows energy, vigor, resolution, and boldness. As a rule, I am an advocate of moderation; however, after evaluating the goals I wanted to reach, I chose the long bar, in an effort to incorporate more energy, vigor, resolution and boldness into my personality. This was a personal decision based on my goals and not necessarily recommended for everyone.

The next characteristic to evaluate is the pressure of the t-bar, which should be the same as, or heavier than, the pressure of the rest of the writing. This pressure is determined by the amount of ink on the page per character or portion of a character. T-bar pressure that is lighter than the rest of the script indicates resignation, extreme sensitivity and timidity. Pressure which is noticeably heavier than the stem shows a domineering will and great energy, but this individual is capable of insensitivity and selfishness in pursuing goals. I tended to use the same pressure on my t-bars as the rest of the script, so I decided not to make adjustments in that area.

The angle of the cross, whether ascending (signifying optimism, ardor, enthusiasm and ambition) or descending (indicating dependency, fear, and hopeless resignation) determines whether or not one feels one can achieve one's goals.  Obviously, an ascending cross is preferable. My t-bars were already ascending, so I left them alone.

Furthermore, where the t-bar is positioned on the stem indicates the importance of goals and the individual's likelihood of achieving these goals. The cross low on the stem shows conciliation, obedience, and patience. The cross in the middle, shows average motivation; while the cross high on the stem indicates that reaching goals is important. My t-bars were in various positions, indicating my lack of consistency in reaching goals, so I chose to consistently cross higher on the stem, showing my determination for reaching goals.

After I decided how my t's would look, I picked a positive statement or affirmation that contained many t's as well as implanting a harmonious message in my subconscious. I then began practicing it every chance I got. This means  every day.

As a result of my changing t-bars, I have experienced an increase in the energy I need to persist in my goals and have noticed a definite change in the way I pursue them. I am more focused and tend not to jump from one activity to another. Also, the affirmation I chose directly complemented the graphological characteristics I wanted to change - both focused on strengthening my willpower. It's also important to note that I used graphotherapy in conjunction with other self-improvement methods.

Again, let me emphasize, that the graphotherapy choices I made were a conscious and deliberate decision to change the aspect of my personality related to willpower and the pursuit of goals. These choices will not be the same for everyone. Before undertaking any personality changes through graphotherapy, an individual should have a complete and in-depth handwriting analysis done and work with a graphologist in incorporating the changes. The key to making positive changes lies in understanding the difference between basic and evaluated traits and how these traits interact and manifest themselves in handwriting. Graphotherapy can be a valuable tool, or approach, to becoming the person one wants to be.

For more information about Nancy Engle, Personal Life Coach and Handwriting Analyst at The Healing Way, click here.

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© 1998, 2008, Nancy Engle