Dr. Russ Harris is an internationally best-selling author, medical doctor, psychotherapist, life coach, and consultant to the World Health Organisation. He has directly trained over 50,000 psychological health professionals in the ACT model (in Australia, Europe, UK and USA), and his textbook for professionals, “ACT Made Simple”, has sold over 70,000 copies. Of the nine books he has written, the best known is The Happiness Trap, which has sold 600,000 copies, and has been translated into thirty languages.
In his late twenties, even though he was a successful young doctor, Russ was anxious, stressed and depressed. Sure, he had achieved many of his major life goals, but he felt his life lacked meaning, purpose, vitality. Sound familiar? When Russ discovered the scientifically proven principles of ACT – how to live by his values, engage fully in life, and let difficult thoughts and feelings flow through him instead of sweeping him away – he was able to cure his depression and powerfully transform his life.
Russ is so confident about the benefits of ACT not just because it has changed his own life, and the lives of thousands of people he has directly worked with, but also because it is based on solid scientific research, with hundreds of published studies supporting its effectiveness. Naturally he wants to bring the power of this evidence-based therapy to as many people as possible, using the simple, practical, and fun style of teaching for which he is famous.
Russ is also the co-director of PsyFlex: workplace health and wellbeing specialists. PsyFlex brings an ACT-based approach to the workplace, to build thriving organisations, resilient employees and supportive work environments.