Hey there. I mistyped as 6 for a long long time. In doing so, I acquired a lot of data on them. I am not a core 6, but here is what I understand. Core 6s, feel free to correct me.
(1) From what little i've read on enneagram types phobic and counterphobic are 'exclusively' mentioned in e6s and never anywhere else. So the question is does it only apply to e6s or does it apply to other types too without such intensity? 'It' seems more applicable to e6s than any other type though.
Anyone can react to a fear phobically or counterphobically. For 6s, since the fear is a core aspect of the personality, the phobic-counterphobic divide is therefore a core aspect of the personality. However, this can also be taken as
fixation vs
counter-fixation, in which case, versions of each type do appear to exist.
See here--http://www.typologycentral.com/forums/enneagram/66637-counter-vice-types.html
The counter fixation is the counterphobic version of each type.
(2) can there never be a middle ground for e6s?
Most reputable authors will mention that the phobic-counterphobic thing is a continuum, with most in the middle and very few at the extremes of each.
So, in a word, yes. Middle ground is the norm.
(3) I always associated phobic with 6w7s and counterphobic with 6w5s. Is this assumption correct? But i'm beginning to think i'm wrong because i've noticed a few 6w5s who are phobic and a few 6w7s who are counterphobic in rl and fiction.
Counterphobes are described as being more aggressive and relying more on their own resources, hence the bias toward the 5-wing. The 5 adds a measure of contention and independence. The 7-wingers, by contrast, are portrayed as more dependent and prone to covering their aggression with niceness, hence seeming more phobic.
However, the wing does not ultimately matter--phobic and counterphobic versions of each type exist. So, your recent observations are correct, and its the descriptions that have the bias.
(4) does the phobic counterphobic factor change according to the circumstances? I've noticed this too. At times (and at certain people) they are surely counterphobic but at other times (especially to other people) they are extremely phobic.
This is a commonly-noted phenomenon. Different strategies in different situations.
Again, most are in the middle of the continuum, with very few at the extremes of phobia and counterphobia, so of course, most use a little of each.
(5) something else I have noticed is that counterphobics almost always are sx doms, the so s seem phobic but tends to get CP suddenly and sp doms seem rather neutral (probably because their needs are less others oriented than the other 2types?). Are these observations correct?
Naranjo has highly regarded descriptions, listing sexuals as
counterphobic, self pres as
phobic, and socials as
prussian, meaning they follow rules to a T (but may raise rebellion). Similar to your observations.
Most other highly-regarded authors, however, have questioned how neatly this works out, including Riso and Hudson, Helen Palmer, and Sandra Maitri.
Worth noting that those who are into tritype have observed that 8-fixed 6s tend to be counterphobic, 9-fixed 6s tend to be phobic, and 1-fixers are both or neither.
(6) in jest - e6s are ideal characters for movie villains because of their obvious anxious nature (i'm using the word anxious alone for convenience.
In jest, the villain is usually of the 358 tritype.
I've noticed that e6 women are terrible at flirting. I hsve noticed that in all e6 women i know. Could it be a coincidence or is it type related? I have never attempted to flirt with an e6 though.
E6 men seem to be okay with it.
I am not a core 6, but I likewise suck at flirting. I put it as my head-fix, though. Coincidence__(that is supposed to be a question mark, btw).