Emotional quotient (EQ) is the ability to understand and process your emotions in a positive way to release stress, empathise with others, communicate effectively and work through conflicts. People with a high EQ have a high level of self-awareness and self-regulation. Self-regulation is something we learn in childhood. If we have attuned parents who come to us when we need soothing, their nervous system calms us down. As we grow up, we learn to do that for ourselves. If we have had an insecure attachment to the primary caregiver as a child, we may not have learned to self-soothe and self-regulate effectively. It IS possible to learn these skills as adults either alone, or with a therapist.