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Russ Harris

Russ Harris

8 books · 1 interview

therapy

What they argue

Russ Harris is a practitioner of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) who explores the psychological and spiritual dimensions of human suffering. He works in the territory of psychological flexibility, focusing on how individuals relate to their internal experiences of thoughts and feelings.

  1. The Trap of Experiential Avoidance

    This is the tendency to do or think whatever it takes to get away from uncomfortable internal feelings like anxiety, sadness, or fear. While avoidance may work in the short term, it ultimately contributes to the cycle of suffering.

    From ACT made simple (book)

    • Says much the same Steven C. Hayes — Experiential AvoidanceThis is the tendency to behave in ways that prevent us from feeling unpleasant internal experiences, such as thoughts, feelings, or sensations. It often leads to…Acceptance & mindfulness treatments for children & adolescents
    • Says much the same Melody Beattie — The Trap of IntellectualizationMany people attempt to use the intellect to 'explain away' feelings to avoid actually experiencing them. Beattie argues that true healing requires the emotional courage…Playing It by Heart

  2. The Second Arrow of Suffering

    The first arrow is the involuntary emotional pain we feel, such as anxiety or grief. The second arrow is the additional suffering we create by judging, resisting, or trying to suppress that initial feeling.

    From ACT with love (book)

    • Says much the same Tara Brach — The Second Arrow of SufferingThe 'first arrow' is the initial painful experience, such as a memory or physical pain. The 'second arrow' is our reaction to that pain, which includes judgment,…Radical Compassion
    • Says much the same Marcus Aurelius — The Two Arrows of SufferingThis concept posits that while external events (the 'first arrow') are outside our control, our reaction to them (the 'second arrow') is a choice we make. It serves as…Making Sense of Meditations by Marcus Aurelius - Episode 84

  3. The Trap of Self-Improvement

    This is the belief that we can 'fix' our internal world through sheer willpower, better habits, or more information. It matters because if you believe you are the primary source of your healing, you may become stuck in a cycle of self-centered distress.

    From Christ-Centered Therapy (book)

    • Says much the same Pema Chödrön — The Trap of 'Fixing'We suffer because we treat our emotions, flaws, and imperfections as problems to be solved or symptoms of a broken self. This belief creates a secondary layer of…Fail, fail again, fail better
    • Says much the same Ram Dass — The Illusion of 'Becoming'The belief that we are a project in progress, constantly needing to improve or attain a higher state of consciousness, is a spiritual trap. We often treat spirituality…One-Liners

  4. The Happiness Trap

    This is the belief that we can and should control our internal experiences to achieve a state of constant happiness. This creates a trap where the more we try to escape negative feelings, the more we reinforce them.

    From The Happiness Trap (book)

    • Says much the same Pema Chödrön — The Illusion of ControlOur primary source of suffering is the belief that we can and should manage every outcome of our lives through willpower or planning. This belief creates a constant…Comfortable with Uncertainty
    • Pushes the other way Dalai Lama — Happiness as a SkillHappiness is not something that happens to us; it is something we do through intentional practice. It is a mental muscle that must be trained by shifting the brain's…The Art of Happiness

  5. The Three-Fold Shift of Identity

    To move from self-centered distress to Christ-centered peace, one must shift their source of worth from performance to position, their source of security from feelings to faith, and their source of identity from self-effort to Christ.

    From Christ-Centered Therapy (book)

  6. Notice, Name, and Nurture

    This is a three-step process for interacting with difficult internal experiences. It involves becoming aware of a feeling without reacting, naming it, and then nurturing the experience with a warm, accepting heart.

    From ACT with love (book)

    • Says much the same Rick Hanson — The 'Notice, Attend, Savor' LoopThis is a core practice for rewiring the brain by identifying automatic negative thoughts or feelings. Once noticed, the individual should attend to and savor the…Just one thing
    • A related idea Christine A. Padesky — The 3-Column TechniqueThis is the foundational tool for identifying the link between situations, thoughts, and feelings. It requires describing the external event, identifying the feeling,…Clinician's Guide to CBT Using Mind over Mood, Second Edition

Every idea names the summary it came from. Written by a local model from this mind’s own work, never from memory.

Books 6

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