Yale Expert Marc Brackett Unveils New Book on Emotion Regulation

Marc Brackett, the founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, has released his second book, titled “Dealing with Feeling,” which focuses on strategies for managing emotions. The book aims to equip readers with practical skills for understanding and regulating their feelings, building upon the foundation laid in his previous work, “Permission to Feel,” published in 2019.

In “Dealing with Feeling,” Brackett addresses the essential skill of emotional regulation, emphasizing not only individual management of emotions but also the importance of co-regulation—the ability to assist others in managing their feelings. “It was very important for me to write a whole book just on one skill, which was to help people learn how to regulate their own emotions,” Brackett said.

The book begins by envisioning a world where everyone has mastered emotional regulation, before exploring why this concept remains elusive for many. Brackett explains what emotional regulation entails and examines current societal attitudes towards emotions. The latter sections provide actionable strategies for emotional management, reinforcing the idea that emotional regulation comprises intentional skills aligned with personal goals and values.

Writing this book proved to be a challenging endeavor for Brackett. “I’m a much better storyteller when I’m on stage than I am sitting around thinking about a story to tell,” he remarked. Throughout the writing process, he applied the very emotional regulation techniques he discusses, such as self-talk, seeking social support, and engaging in physical activity. Brackett credits his colleagues, Karen Niemi and Robin Stern, for their invaluable support in refining the book’s content.

Niemi noted the importance of balancing humor, relatability, and research in the writing process. “My focus was always being practical, specific, and consistent,” she said. Stern echoed this sentiment, highlighting their collaborative effort to create a reflective space for readers. “He did a beautiful job of being personal and compassionate while also presenting a strong case for science,” she added.

Brackett aims to reach a wider audience through this book, recognizing the limitations of in-person engagements. “The only way I thought to do that was I had to write a book,” he explained. He has established three key objectives for the impact of “Dealing with Feeling.”

Firstly, he hopes readers will appreciate the relevance of emotional regulation across various areas, from health and academic performance to workplace success and longevity. Secondly, he emphasizes that emotional regulation is a skill that can be learned and improved through practice. His third, more ambitious goal is to redefine success to include emotional management capabilities. “If we define our success by how skillful we are at managing life’s ups and downs and at helping other people to do the same, the world will be a very different place,” he remarked.

The concept of emotional intelligence, which Brackett champions, was co-developed by Peter Salovey, a former president of Yale University. As awareness around the significance of emotional intelligence continues to grow, Brackett’s work offers a roadmap for individuals seeking to navigate their emotional landscapes more effectively.