Emotional intelligence and reflective practice are an integral part of establishing a therapeutic relationship in nursing. Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to perceive, control and evaluate emotions. Reflective practice involves exploring one’s own experience and practices. This includes a person's behavior, thinking, and all other associated emotions. The therapeutic relationship can be defined as assistance in the care and support provided to clients according to needs. According to the International Council of Nurses, “Nursing encompasses autonomous and collaborative care provided to individuals of all ages, families, groups and communities, sick or healthy and in all settings. Nursing includes the promotion, prevention of disease, and care of the sick, disabled, and dying. Advocacy, promotion of a safe environment, research, participation in health policy development and patient and health system management, as well as education are also key roles of nurses.” Thus, emotional intelligence and reflective practice include different facts that contribute to the construction of a therapeutic relationship in nursing. The ability to express and control one's own emotion is crucial and therefore it is important to understand, interpret and respond to the emotions of others. In nursing, perception, reasoning, understanding and management of emotions are important for building a therapeutic relationship. There are four components of emotional intelligence which consist of perceiving emotions, using this emotional perception to undertake various activities, understanding emotional differences and performing emotions to achieve goals. The nursing profession requires that nurses, in the process of care, continually interact with patients, the medical group, and health care workers...... middle of article ......link.ReferencesBirrell, J., Thomas, D., Jones, California (2006). Promote the privacy and dignity of older hospitalized patients. Nursing standard. (Vol 20).18 Middlesex: RCN Publishing Company. Cutcliffe, j. & Mckenna, H. (2005). Essential concepts of nursing. London: Churchill Livingstone. Freshwater, D. and Johns, C., (2005). Transforming nursing through reflective practice. (2nd ed.). (pp.101).Oxford: Blackwell. Hinchliffe, S., Norman, S. and Schober, J. (eds.). (2003). Nursing practice and health care. (4th ed.). London: Aronold. Nursing and Midwifery Council. (2004). The NMC Code of Professional Conduct: Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics. London. Riley, JB, Kelter, BR, & Schwecker, LH (2003). Communication. In J. R. Cutcliffe and H. P. McKenna (eds.). Essential concepts of nursing (pp.93-304). London: Churchill Livingstone..