Russ Harris
Born: October 16, 1966 – Liverpool, England, United Kingdom
Russ Harris is an Australian physician-turned-psychotherapist and author focused on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, mindfulness, and psychological wellbeing. He is best known for The Happiness Trap and ACT Made Simple; The Happiness Trap has sold over one million copies worldwide, been translated into more than 30 languages, and Harris has trained more than 95,000 health professionals in ACT.
Biography & Author's Journey
Russ Harris is an Australian-based physician, psychotherapist, and author whose work has been central to bringing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, to a broad international audience. Born in England in 1966, he studied medicine at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, graduating in 1989, and emigrated to Australia in 1991 to work as a general practitioner. The decisive turn in his career came when he grew increasingly interested in the psychological side of suffering and less satisfied with a practice centered on prescriptions. That shift led him away from general medicine and into therapy, where he found the framework that would define his professional life. In his own account, discovering ACT gave him both a new clinical direction and a deeper sense of personal meaning. ((https://exislepublishing.com/russ-harris-author/?utm_source=openai))
Quotes
You May Also Like
Popular Books
Happiness Trap
Russ Harris
Escape stress, anxiety, and depression with ACT techniques to build a meaningful life.
Confidence Gap
Russ Harris
Overcome fear and self-doubt with ACT and mindfulness to build lasting confidence.
The reality slap
Russ Harris
Finding strength when life's hardest truths shatter your expectations.
Happiness Trap
Russ Harris
Escape stress, anxiety, and depression with ACT techniques to build a meaningful life.
Confidence Gap
Russ Harris
Overcome fear and self-doubt with ACT and mindfulness to build lasting confidence.
The reality slap
Russ Harris
Finding strength when life's hardest truths shatter your expectations.
Discover more
Master Psychology, Habits & Self-Improvement
Master Psychology, Habits & Self-Improvement
This comprehensive guide bridges the gap between clinical psychology and high-performance coaching. It is designed for individuals seeking to transition from basic self-help to evidence-based mental mastery and systematic habit design.
Explore Psychology, Mindfulness & Habits
Explore Psychology, Mindfulness & Habits
This plan bridges the gap between psychological theory and daily practice for anyone seeking mental clarity and behavioral change. It is ideal for individuals looking to master their habits and emotional health through a blend of science and mindfulness.
Habits, Psychology & Mindful Philosophy
Habits, Psychology & Mindful Philosophy
This plan bridges the gap between ancient wisdom and modern behavioral science to help individuals master their minds and routines. It is ideal for anyone seeking to replace self-sabotaging behaviors with intentional, mindful actions for a more balanced life.
Live Mindfully & Happily
Live Mindfully & Happily
This plan bridges the gap between ancient mindfulness traditions and modern psychological science to provide a roadmap for lasting fulfillment. It is ideal for busy professionals or anyone seeking to reduce stress and replace fleeting pleasures with sustainable, research-backed happiness.
Mind, Habits & Human Behavior Insights
Mind, Habits & Human Behavior Insights
This plan bridges the gap between neuroscience and practical psychology to provide a comprehensive toolkit for self-mastery and social intelligence. It is ideal for leaders, marketers, or anyone seeking to optimize their own habits and understand the hidden drivers of human decision-making.
Community Voices
"Russ Harris is an open, centered, and engaged teacher of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)"
— Patricia J. Robinson ((
"Russ Harris, a premier leader in ACT, has updated his watershed book ACT Made Simple with new vibrant content"
— DJ Moran ((
"Russ Harris has once more written a simple, practical, comprehensive, easy-to-follow, state-of-the-art textbook"
— Maria Karekla ((
"Russ Harris explains ACT concepts in a style that is both engaging and straightforward"
— Jason B. Luoma ((
"Russ Harris has over the years also often contributed to make ACT more precise and more effective"
— Matthieu Villatte ((
"Russ Harris has succeeded in translating difficult psychological concepts embedded in ACT into plain, colorful, diverse language"
— JoAnne Dahl ((
"Russ Harris has completely reworked the new edition of ACT Made Simple"
— Louise McHugh ((
"Russ Harris is a master of helping us apply the life-changing power of acceptance and commitment therapy in our day-to-day lives"
— Russell Kolts ((
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
