The Happiness Trap

Happiness, according to the author, is defined as a rich, full and meaningful life with the full range of human emotions felt to varying degrees. From this standpoint there is a real opportunity to embrace concepts discussed by Harris, shut out some of the noise from advertisers and social media, and focus on the aspects of our existence that bring real human emotions, both positive and negative, that create the basis of happiness. Dr Russ Harris also has a series of YouTube clips that complement the book’s teachings. They are well worth checking out.

“Dr Harris explains how we tend to get hooked on negative thoughts and emotions, and implements strategies to help with it so that we respond to those negative things differently. He also points out ways that our emotions help us and serve three main purposes - communication, illumination and motivation.”

Dr Russ Harris is a world-renowned trainer of Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT). Russ’s background is in medicine, and as a GP he became increasingly interested in the psychological aspects of health and wellbeing, and increasingly disenchanted with writing prescriptions. Ultimately this interest led to a total career change. He now works in two different, yet complementary roles – as a therapist and a coach.

In 2015, Russ wrote a stress-management protocol for the WHO (World Health Organization) to use in refugee camps around the world, catering for the broadest possible range of trauma-related problems, including PTSD, depression and anxiety disorders. It has so far been implemented to good effect in refugee camps in Syria, Uganda and Turkey.

Since 2005, Russ has run over 800 two-day workshops and provided ACT training for over 50,000 health professionals. He has authored four ACT textbooks (ACT Made Simple, Trauma-Focused ACT, Getting Unstuck in ACT, ACT Questions & Answers), and four ACT-based self-help books (The Happiness Trap, The Reality Slap, The Confidence Gap and ACT with Love). His best-known book, The Happiness Trap, has sold over one million copies worldwide, with translations into more than 30 languages.