As a GP he became increasingly interested in the psychological aspects of medical illness (and increasingly disenchanted with writing prescriptions). He soon developed a special interest in the branch of medicine known as psychoneuroimmunology, which investigates the intimate connection between the mind, the nervous system, and the immune system. After discovering the work of Jon Kabat-Zinn  (an internationally renowned scientist; the originator of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) Russ began teaching mindfulness skills to his patients, with impressive results – particularly with chronic pain, hypertension, depression, stress, and anxiety.

Ultimately this interest led to a career change, and he now  works in two different, yet complementary roles: both as a therapist and as a coach. Over the years, he has trained in many types of therapy and coaching, but when he discovered Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, a unique and creative mindfulness-based behavioural therapy, he was so deeply impressed that he promptly went to the U.S.A. to train with its creators, Steve Hayes and Kelly Wilson. Since then, he has been back several times for advanced training, and is now a fully-accredited ACT trainer.

Russ is one of only thirty accredited ACT trainers worldwide. He has a unique model for training, which he  calls 'ACT In A Nutshell' , because it covers so much material in a short space of time. He proudly proclaims each workshop a 'jargon-free zone' - and bases his training on three core values: simplicity, clarity, and accessibility. (There's also a big emphasis on having fun.)

Russ travels all around Australia, and internationally, providing workshops and training for a wide variety of health professionals, from coaches and counsellors, to psychologists and psychiatrists. He also regularly presents ACT workshops at a wide variety of national and international conferences (including the ACT World Conference). His ACT-based self-help book  'The Happiness Trap' is available in all Borders bookstores, and other major chains, throughout Australia and New Zealand. It has now reached best-seller status, and in 2008, it will be published in several other countries, including the USA., UK, Germany, Mexico, South America and Korea. (To download the opening chapter, click here.)

Russ has been actively involved in teaching, training, and running workshops for many years. His highly-acclaimed ACT workshops are typically brief, powerful, cost-effective and life-enhancing. Participants regularly report not only major improvements in their therapy and/or coaching, but also in their personal lives - and evaluation forms frequently praise his ability to make complex ideas seem very simple. (For more details, go to testimonials )