February 23, 2012

Emotional Intelligence

“Daniel Goleman, a Harvard University professor, posed the theory that it is empathy and communication skills as well as social and leadership skills that will be central to your success in life and personal relationships. Rather than a high IQ, Goleman purports that it is far better to have a high E-IQ, emotional intelligence, if you want to be a valued and productive member of society.”

Young Adult Drug Addicts And Alcoholics Generally Have A Very Low Emotional Intellegence.Students on a hike

Emotional Health

Emotional health has many aspects. Put simply, it is based on self-esteem – how you feel about yourself and behavior that is appropriate and healthy. Someone who is emotionally healthy exhibits positive traits in the following areas:

  • Empathy Skills:

    Ability to easily relate to and understand other people.

  • Self–Understanding:

    Self-insight that helps you make decisions that are life-enhancing.

  • Emotional Self-Control:

    Understanding your feelings and using them to help make self-fulfilling and empowering decisions or letting your emotions control your actions.

  • Harmonious, Productive Relationships:

    Developing sustaining and harmonious, fulfilling relationships.

Therapeutic Encounter Groups

Sober College regularly involves its students in activities that are not only fun, but help students to develop emotional intelligence. Students will surf, trapeze, sky dive, and participate in equine therapy. These events often involve and evoke emotions, therefore students participate in process groups afterwards to help them analyze their emotions. During their first month, participants take an emotional intelligence assessment and begin to participate in activities and exercises designed to build and growth their emotional well-being.