Stop Struggling, Start Living

Dr Russ Harris

Popular ideas about happiness are misleading, inaccurate and actually make us miserable in the long term! But there is hope …

Popular myths about happiness are directly contributing to our epidemic of stress, anxiety and depression — and popular psychological remedies are making it even worse!

In this easy-to-read, practical and empowering self-help book, Dr Russ Harris reveals how millions of people are unwittingly caught in ‘The Happiness Trap’! He then provides an effective means to escape, through a revolutionary new paradigm in Western psychology.

Acceptance and Commitment theory (ACT) is a unique and creative therapy, based on the innovative use of mindfulness.  It is also a very effective model for coaching. Mindfulness is a transformative mental state of awareness, openness and focus.  Although mindfulness is ‘worlds apart’ from the methods of popular psychology, it is easy to learn, and will rapidly and effectively help you to reduce stress, handle painful feelings, let go of self-limiting beliefs, overcome fear, and generally increase life satisfaction. Thanks to a radical new approach — which has been scientifically proven in everything from depression and stress to drug addiction and schizophrenia — we can now learn these powerful life-changing mindfulness techniques in a matter of minutes.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr Russ Harris was born in Liverpool, England. After graduating in medicine from the University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, he emigrated to Australia. As a family doctor, he became increasingly interested in the psychological aspects of medical illness (and increasingly less interested in writing prescriptions). In his eclectic career, he has been a stand-up comedian, sex therapist, filmmaker, novelist, and workshop presenter. He now practices as a psychological health physician in Melbourne.

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Reviews

‘Russ Harris skilfully leads the reader on a path along which we may pick up and embrace the tools for living a rich, full and authentically meaningful life, a life wherein real “happiness” truly resides. The Happiness Trap is a book for all — therapists and clients alike — it makes the skills of mindfulness accessible and applicable to everyday living.’  Christine Burke Psychologist BA Dip Ed, M Ed (Counselling Psychology) Assoc MAPS

‘Dr Harris shines a powerful and loving beacon into the night. Enjoy the journey. You are in excellent hands.’  Steven Hayes — Bestselling author of Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life

'Physician Harris challenges some basic assumptions about the all-American tradition of the pursuit of happiness, drawing heavily on the “acceptance and commitment therapy” (ACT) work of University of Nevada professor Steven Hayes, which argues that happiness is not a normal state of being; pain is inevitable and what matters is how it is dealt with. The ACT prescription is to be “mindful” of negative thoughts and emotions, reconnect with core values, act in accordance with values and with the “psychological flexibility” to adapt to any situation. ACT techniques include diffusion—decreasing the impact of self-defeating thoughts (without making them go away), turning off the “struggle switch,” practicing “expansion” to make room for self-observation and connecting with the present moment. While these concepts might sound like typical self-help fare, Harris makes key distinctions: ACT is not a form of meditation or a path to enlightenment—to reap the benefits, action is imperative. More of an ACT primer than anything else, there’s enough interesting content here to keep the reader, um, happy.' Publisher’s Weekly (US Book Trade)

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BESTSELLER: THREE PRINTINGS IN 2007 !!

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SPECIFICATIONS
Size: 234 x 153mm
Format: paperback with flaps
Extent: 280 pages
Weight: 560 gms
Publication Date: March 2007
ISBN: 978-0-908988-90-7