Permission to Feel by Marc Brackett Ph.D.

Permission to Feel by Marc Brackett Ph.D. |The Science of Emotional Intelligence for a Happier, Healthier Life

About the Book

Permission to Feel is a science-backed, deeply human book that challenges everything we thought we knew about emotions. Marc Brackett Ph.D. argues that feelings are not a weakness to be hidden but a source of strength to be understood. This book gives you the tools, the language, and most importantly, the permission to feel. Whether you are a parent trying to raise emotionally healthy children, a teacher building a supportive classroom, or simply someone who wants to understand themselves better, this book delivers real answers rooted in decades of research.

From the Back Cover

“How are you?” Most of us answer that question without thinking. But what if you actually stopped and knew the answer? Marc Brackett invites you on a journey to become what he calls an “emotion scientist” so you can name what you feel, understand why you feel it, and decide what to do about it. This is not a feel-good self-help book. It is a research-driven roadmap to emotional intelligence that can change your relationships, your work, and your wellbeing.

About the Author

Marc Brackett Ph.D. is the Founding Director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and a Professor in the Child Study Center at Yale School of Medicine. He has spent over 25 years researching emotions and their role in learning, decision-making, creativity, and health. His RULER approach to emotional intelligence has been adopted by thousands of schools worldwide. He is one of the most respected voices in the field of emotional science today.

Who Is This Book For?

This book is for anyone who has ever felt misunderstood, overwhelmed, or unsure of how to handle their emotions. It is especially valuable for:

• Parents who want to raise emotionally aware and resilient children
• Teachers and school counselors looking for practical tools for the classroom
• Managers and leaders who want to build empathetic, high-performing teams
• Individuals dealing with stress, anxiety, or emotional burnout
• Anyone who wants to live with more self-awareness and purpose

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is Permission to Feel about?

Permission to Feel by Marc Brackett Ph.D. is about emotional intelligence and how learning to recognize, understand, and manage our feelings can improve our health, relationships, and overall happiness. It introduces the RULER method, a science-based framework developed at Yale University, to help both adults and children build stronger emotional skills in daily life.

Q2: Is this book suitable for parents and teachers?

Yes, absolutely. This book is one of the best emotional intelligence books for parents and educators. Marc Brackett shares research and real-life examples that show how adults can support children in developing emotional literacy. Many schools around the world already use his RULER approach as part of their social emotional learning programs.

Q3: Do you need a psychology background to understand this book?

Not at all. Permission to Feel is written in a warm, conversational style that anyone can understand and enjoy. Marc Brackett explains complex emotion science in simple, relatable terms. Even if you have never read a psychology or self-help book before, you will find this book easy to follow and deeply engaging.

Q4: How is this book different from other self-help or emotional intelligence books?

Unlike many popular self-help books, Permission to Feel is grounded in 25 years of peer-reviewed research from Yale University. It does not just offer motivation or generic advice. It provides a practical, evidence-based system for developing emotional intelligence that has already been tested in schools, workplaces, and families across the globe. It combines personal storytelling with hard science in a way that feels both honest and transformative.