When we think about education, academic achievement and standardized test scores often come to mind.

While these are undoubtedly important, there's a growing recognition that traditional education fails to equip students with crucial life skills.

This educational gap—particularly in relationship skills—leaves many young adults unprepared for the challenges of real-world interactions.

Enter Relational Intelligence (RIQ), a program designed to bridge this gap by teaching students the emotional and social intelligence needed for lifelong success.

The Educational Disconnect

Traditional education emphasizes subjects based on cognitive skills, and abstract skills such as reasoning and critical thinking. However, the development of emotional and social skills—vital components of relational intelligence—often takes a backseat. This disconnect is quite problematic, especially considering that relational intelligence may be the largest factor contributing to...

When George Vaillant first took over the Harvard Study of Adult Development in 1972, he had no idea the profound truth it would reveal.

The study, which began tracking 268 Harvard sophomores in 1938, has become one of the longest studies of adult life ever conducted.

Over 80 years, researchers meticulously collected data on the physical and mental health of the participants. 

What Vaillant and his team discovered was surprising.

The clearest message that emerged from the tens of thousands of pages of data was this:
Good relationships keep us happier and healthier. Period.

The Power of Connection:

The Harvard study revealed that the quality of our relationships at age 50 was a better predictor of health at age 80 than cholesterol levels, exercise habits, or even IQ. Those who were most satisfied in their relationships at age 50 were the healthiest at age 80. Conversely, those who were in unhappy relationships or were lonely had declining health earlier in midlife and even...

When Ethan started his freshman year at a prestigious university, he thought he had it all figured out...

With a stellar high school academic record and an impressive list of extracurriculars, he was ready to take on the world.

But as the semester progressed, Ethan found himself struggling. 

Despite his intellectual prowess, he felt isolated and disconnected from his peers. Group projects were a nightmare, and his roommate conflicts escalated. Ethan's mental health began to suffer, and his grades started to slip. He had the academic skills, but he lacked the relational intelligence to thrive in his new environment.

Ethan's story is not unique. 

Today's young adults are facing a mental health crisis of unprecedented proportions.

According to a recent study by the CDC, more than 40% of high school students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, a staggering increase from 26% in 2011.

Nearly 25% made a suicide plan, and 10% attempted...

Greetings once again, dear readers. As we continue our exploration through the interconnected realms of loneliness, mental health, and human connections, we now confront one of the most profound yet often hidden barriers: shame. Building on our understanding from the previous articles, this offering delves into how shame intricately weaves into our lives, shaping our ability to connect authentically with others and ourselves.

Shame—a powerful and often unacknowledged force—lurks in the shadows of our interactions, creating barriers to connection and understanding.

It is a hidden player in many of our societal woes, from loneliness to political polarization. In my work, I’ve observed how shame operates on both an individual and a collective level, and how moving past it is crucial for building a healthier, more cohesive society.

But how do we move past this paralyzing emotion? 

The first step is recognizing its presence and understanding its origins. Often,...

Welcome back, dear readers. In our previous discussions, we explored the loneliness epidemic in the United States, and its physical health implications. As we traverse the landscape of human connection, our focus now shifts to a more intimate terrain—the internal struggles that underpin loneliness and its impact on our mental health. It's crucial to understand that overcoming feelings of loneliness is not just about seeking external connections but also about bridging the inner gaps within ourselves.

What the Surgeon General Missed

One of my patients poignantly remarked that while the Surgeon General's report on the epidemic of loneliness addressed its external aspects, it overlooked the internal issues that prevent people from forming connections. Her insight is profound. Many, like her, struggle with childhood traumas and the internalization of a 'negating other'—often a parental figure whose critical voice continues to echo within, long into adulthood.

This...

Our exploration into the loneliness epidemic began with the Surgeon General’s alarming depiction of its threat to societal health. As we delve further today, we focus on the tangible health consequences of loneliness, akin to the risks associated with daily smoking. The realm of human connection and its pivotal role in our health is one I have thoroughly examined, offering a deeper understanding, and some solace.

In the intricate dance of human experience, our physical health often mirrors the emotional contours of our lives. One such shape—loneliness—emerges not just as an emotional void but as a silent signal of numerous health risks. It is here, in the cavernous space of isolation, that we confront the consequences of disconnectedness—not just metaphorically, but in the very sinews of our being.

Loneliness is not a mere absence of company, but a deficit of meaningful connections—a malnourishment of the psyche that can manifest in the body. The...

The U.S. Surgeon General's warning in 2023 cast a spotlight on a silent epidemic sweeping across America—an epidemic of loneliness—likening its health impact to smoking daily. This critical issue underscores a significant public health priority, resonating with the core of human bonds and relationships. This is a realm that I have studied and nurtured for over two decades.

And this issue is not limited to the United States, it is being felt around the globe. Both Japan and the U.K. have formally appointed national Ministers of Loneliness to help their government more fully address the problem. 

Loneliness and isolation gnaw at nearly half of the individuals in the United States, bringing grave health consequences akin to those of chronic diseases. Loneliness has been linked to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, but also to a myriad of physical health issues. Not only can it increase one’s risk of severe illness, it can also decrease...

The signs and symptoms of physical abuse are obvious and concrete, but the signs of emotional abuse are insidious and hidden to the eye. For this reason, many people underestimate the devastating and lasting effects of emotional abuse. In this article, we will explore the signs of emotional abuse and manipulation, the impact they can have on individuals, and how to protect yourself from these toxic behaviors.

Common Tactics Used in Emotional Abuse and Manipulation

To effectively combat emotional abuse and manipulation, it is crucial to understand the dynamics at play. Emotional abuse is about power and control. Remember, in a healthy relationship, both people have the capacity to respect multiple subjectivities. That means that both people understand that each individual has their own set of feelings, perceptions, needs and desires that are worthy of respect and consideration, and that they are bound to differ. Both people work to respect the subjectivity of one another. 

In an...

Spring is a time of regeneration, and new beginnings. Research shows that happiness and health are profoundly linked to relational wellness—the depth and quality of your human connections. If you are ready to rejuvenate your relationship life this year, your relationship to yourself is like the soil in which you will plant all of your connective seeds.

Self-love has become a popular, yet highly misunderstood idea. Some fear self-love is self-indulgence, selfishness, or narcissism. In my work as a psychoanalyst, I help people leverage the power of their inner world and unconscious mind to achieve integration and agency. From this point of view, self-love creates personal balance, and is the essential foundation of emotional health and well-being, which deeply protects and enriches our ability to care for others. Self-love is less about spa days, good sleep, or exercise, and more about the vital relationship we have with our own inner world.

This kind of emotional...

A certain level of anxiety is normal, but here's how to calm down when it gets overwhelming.

Anxiety is a normal part of life, as well as a highly normal part of dating.

Why is dating and relationship anxiety so normal?....