1st Edition

Emotional Intelligence for Health and Social Care Practice

Edited By John Hurley, Paul Linsley Copyright 2026
240 Pages 8 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

240 Pages 8 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

240 Pages 8 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

Emotional intelligence is a critical skill set that enhances therapeutic relationships, fosters resilience, and improves patient outcomes. This practical book introduces the latest research and links it to health and social care practice, equipping readers with the tools needed to navigate the emotional complexities of care. Health and social care practitioners frequently engage with... Read more

1: Introducing Emotional Intelligence: Making a Case for an Emotionally Intelligent Workforce

John Hurley and Paul Linsley

2: Building the Evidence for an Emotionally Intelligent Workforce: What Drives Positive Experiences of Mental Health Service

John Hurley and Paul Linsley

3: Emotional Intelligence: Understanding the Influence of Emotions on Communication and Decision-Making within Practice Settings

Rod Peadon, John Hurley, Marie Hutchinson, and Paul Linsley

4: Assessing, Planning, and Enhancing Emotional Intelligence

Paul Linsley and John Hurley

5: The Therapeutic Relationship and Emotional Intelligence: An Intervention and Launchpad for Helpful Mental Health Interventions

John Hurley, Ally Wilson, and Paul Linsley

6: Emotional Intelligence as an Intervention for Adverse Childhood Experiences: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Resilience and Emotional Development

Paul Linsley

7: Exploring Relationships Between Emotional Intelligence and De-escalation Training in Mental Health Nurses: A Scoping Review

Ali Taylor, Desiree Koslowski, and Marie Hutchinson

8: Emotional Intelligence in Palliative Care: A Scoping Review

Ben Daley and John Hurley

9: Being a Successful Practitioner: Emotional and Other Intelligences for Career Progression in Health and Social Care Settings

John Hurley, Rod Peadon, Marie Hutchinson, and Paul Linsley   

10: Maintaining Your Own Mental Well-Being: Positive Psychology and Emotional Intelligence

Paul Linsley and John Hurley

Biography

John Hurley is a Professor of Mental Health at Southern Cross University and works clinically with youth mental health services as a credentialed mental health nurse. He also has extensive clinical experience in crisis and home treatment services and is a gestalt psychotherapist and GENOS emotional intelligence assessor. John has over 100 international peer-reviewed publications and is a Fellow of the Australian College of Mental Health Nursing and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. His research focus is on mental health workforce capability, emotional intelligence, and young people’s mental health.

Paul Linsley is an Associate Professor in Nursing Sciences at the University of East Anglia and a registered clinical specialist with extensive experience in mental health. He has published widely on values-based, person-centered approaches that enhance understanding, empathy, and recovery. His research explores how storytelling, reflection, and human-centered practices can improve mental health outcomes and support compassionate care. As the author of several internationally translated textbooks, Linsley’s work bridges rigorous academic research with practical insights, emphasising the importance of emotional awareness, relational intelligence, and ethical practice in professional and personal development.