What I'm Reading Now - The Happiness Trap

~by Heather Scott MA Counseling Candidate, Intern Therapist at Ignite

What I am reading right now: The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living, by Russ Harris.

As a counselor in training, I recently realized the importance of grounding myself in a specific psychotherapeutic theory. I had been jumping from one theory to another and noticed that many therapies have similar approaches. However, I knew I would be more effective if I chose one to focus on. This would help me better conceptualize client cases and provide me with a toolbox of action-oriented skills to share with my clients.

I decided that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), an evidence-based method, would be a good fit for my style and began exploring it by reading "The Happiness Trap." This book is full of practical exercises and techniques that readers can incorporate into their lives to find more peace and contentment.

ACT challenges the common belief that happiness is the norm and that something is wrong with us if we are not happy. The goal of ACT is not to eliminate difficult feelings, as this has been shown to be harmful and nearly impossible. Instead, it focuses on accepting challenging emotions and thoughts and learning how to live a more meaningful life.

"The Happiness Trap" contains many exercises that help individuals create space between themselves and their thoughts and feelings.

One example is the technique called Dropping Anchor. This technique teaches you to notice and name your feelings and thoughts while staying present, preventing you from getting "hooked" into a story or belief.

Other exercises involve engaging with thoughts and feelings through images, such as seeing them as characters in a play or leaves on a stream.

A foundational belief in ACT is that humans are hardwired to avoid painful experiences. However, avoiding difficult thoughts or feelings only makes matters worse. Through avoidance, we end up struggling with or obeying our thoughts and feelings, creating more difficulties in the process.

This book is not just a tool for therapists; it is accessible to anyone seeking skills to help with everyday life. Additionally, the website thehappinesstrap.com provides helpful, free resources.