You were designed on purpose.
Temperament is the inborn part of you that shapes what you need, how you love, and how you handle stress. Once you understand it, so much of your life finally makes sense.
The five temperaments
MelancholyDeep. Analytical. Loyal.
SanguineLively. Expressive. Warm.
CholericDriven. Decisive. Bold.
PhlegmaticCalm. Steady. Patient.
SupineGentle. Giving. Devoted.
Personality can change. Temperament doesn't.
Your personality is shaped by experience, upbringing, and the roles you play. Your temperament is how you were wired from the start. It drives your core emotional needs, the way you respond under pressure, and the patterns that repeat in your relationships.
Temperament Therapy identifies that design, then builds your treatment around it. Instead of working against who you are, you learn to meet your needs in healthy ways. It's the foundation of how we care for clients at Edify, and we recommend it for everyone we serve.
Temperament Therapy doesn't guess. It explains.
A 2,400-year-old idea
Older than modern psychology
- ~400 BC
Hippocrates
The father of medicine describes four basic temperaments that shape human behavior.
- 2nd century
Galen
Expands the four-temperament model that Western thought builds on for centuries.
- 20th century
The Arnos and the NCCA
Drs. Arno develop the Arno Profile System (APS), a five-temperament model used by the National Christian Counselors Association.
- Today
Edify Counseling Group
The APS is part of every Edify client's recommended treatment plan, so care is built around how each person was designed.
Free sampler
Which temperament might you be?
Ten quick questions. Choose the answer that sounds most like you most of the time, not who you think you should be.
Your sampler result
This sampler is for education and fun. It isn't a clinical assessment or a diagnosis, and it doesn't measure your temperament the way the full assessment does. Most people are a blend, and the full profile measures your temperament separately in Inclusion, Control, and Affection.
Take the full assessment
Get your complete temperament profile
The Arno Profile System (APS) measures your temperament in Inclusion, Control, and Affection. You don't need to be an Edify client to take it.
APS Temperament Assessment
$60
- The complete APS questionnaire
- Your temperament in Inclusion, Control, and Affection
- Your personal temperament profile
Review with Dr. Jason
$199
- Everything in the APS Temperament Assessment
- A 30-minute one-on-one review of your results with Dr. Jason-Anthony K. PrendergastLMHC, NCC, LCPC-Advanced Certified
- What your temperament means for your relationships, stress, and goals
Already an Edify client? The APS is included in your care at no cost. Ask your clinician about taking it.
The five temperaments
Five designs. One you.
Select a temperament to explore its strengths, struggles, and what it needs in relationships.
Melancholy
Deep, analytical, and loyal.
Melancholies think deeply and feel deeply. They notice what others miss, hold high standards, and take relationships seriously once trust is earned.
Needs consistency and emotional safetyTemperament color: Blue
Strengths
- Thoughtful and detail-oriented
- Faithful and dependable
- Creative and insightful
Struggles
- Overthinking
- Self-criticism
- Slow to trust and open up
In relationships: loyal and devoted, and needs patience, consistency, and room to process before talking.
Sanguine
Lively, expressive, and people-oriented.
Sanguines bring energy into every room. They connect easily, lift others up, and feel most alive when they're around people.
Needs affection and verbal reassuranceTemperament color: Yellow
Strengths
- Warm and optimistic
- Encouraging and fun
- Builds connection quickly
Struggles
- Impulsiveness
- Seeking validation
- Following through
In relationships: affectionate and expressive, and needs attention, approval, and words that say they're loved.
Choleric
Determined, decisive, and goal-driven.
Cholerics lead naturally. They see the goal, make the call, and move people toward it. They thrive on challenge and results.
Needs respect and a sense of controlTemperament color: Red
Strengths
- Confident leader
- Productive and efficient
- Strong under pressure
Struggles
- Being controlling
- Emotional bluntness
- Impatience
In relationships: shows love through action and provision, and needs respect, loyalty, and appreciation for what they do.
Phlegmatic
Calm, patient, and stable.
Phlegmatics are the steady center. They keep the peace, stay level in a crisis, and make others feel at ease.
Needs peace and low pressureTemperament color: Green
Strengths
- Easygoing and dependable
- Natural peacemaker
- Dry, quiet humor
Struggles
- Avoiding conflict
- Leaving things unspoken
- Low motivation for change
In relationships: steady and accepting, and needs a calm home and partners who don't push too hard.
Supine
Warm, gentle, and service-driven.
Supines have a servant's heart. They care deeply about others and give freely, but often wait to be invited rather than ask for what they need.
Needs acceptance and inclusionTemperament color: Purple
Strengths
- Compassionate and kind
- Loyal and supportive
- Gifted at serving others
Struggles
- Hiding their own needs
- Fear of rejection
- Withdrawing during conflict
In relationships: devoted and giving, and needs to be invited, included, and reassured that they matter.
Inclusion, Control, Affection
Three areas of every life
Your temperament can look different in each of these areas. The full assessment measures all three, which is why two people with the same temperament can still need very different things.
Inclusion
Who's in, and who's out?
Your social needs: how much you want to be around people, and how much you want them to reach out to you.
Control
Who makes the decisions?
Your need for power and responsibility: how much control you want over others, and how much you want others to have over you.
Affection
How close is close?
Your need for love and emotional closeness: how much affection you give, and how much you want to receive.
How it works at Edify
From assessment to breakthrough
Take the APS
Complete the Arno Profile System (APS) assessment, recommended for every Edify client as part of the treatment plan.
Review your profile
A Certified Temperament Therapist walks you through your temperament in Inclusion, Control, and Affection.
Heal with a plan built for you
Therapy, couples work, and family sessions are shaped around how each person was designed.
Discover how you were designed.
Start with a free consultation. We'll explain the full temperament assessment and help you get started.
Become a Certified Temperament Therapist
Train with Edify University and the NCCA to bring Temperament Therapy to your clients, congregation, or practice.
Explore certification at Edify U →