Almost Happy: Pushing Your Buttons with Reverse Psychology - Hardcover

by Brian Kaplan (Author), Hephzibah Kaplan (Author)

Almost Happy introduces the reader to a practical and accessible way to use humour to galvanise meaningful change. It's a proven fact; we are healthier and happier when we are laughing. Not only is laughter good for our body, mind, and spirit, but it can also help us face the uncomfortable challenge of dealing with our personal difficulties. Warm-hearted Reverse Psychology is used to provoke us to discover, own, and enact authentic solutions to many of our issues. The 114 original badge designs (also available as wearable buttons) were designed as stirring visual communications to enhance the provocative process. The process is based on three core ideas: 1. People don't like being told what to do. 2. Reverse Psychology, a technique known to most parents, also works brilliantly on adults. 3. Irony, satire and parody ­- when used warmly and responsibly - can provoke the emergence of conscience and common sense. Are you ready to read a book that will gently tease you about your issues? The buttons and provocative suJESTions are offered with a twinkle in the eye and affection in the heart.

Author Biography

Brian Kaplan qualified as a medical doctor in 1980. Since then he has spent many years training in whole-person approaches to health, well-being, and personal development, including counselling, psychotherapy, Voice Dialogue, Autogenic Training, Balint groups, family constellation work, improvisation, stand-up comedy, art therapy, and more. Significant teachers and mentors include Dr Eric Ledermann (existential medical philosopher), Frank Farrelly (founder of Provocative Therapy), Joseph Berke (psychodynamic supervision), Arnold Brown (laconic comedian), and John Rowan (pioneer of humanistic psychology and integrative psychotherapy). Brian has made regular appearances on Sky News, BBC Radio, LBC and local radio. He has contributed chapters and forewords to several books. Hephzibah Kaplan is a qualified art therapist, psychotherapy supervisor and artist. She founded the London Art Therapy Centre in 2010, and is its director as well as senior art therapist, supervisor, and head of training. She has had extensive training in various clinical approaches (psychodynamic, humanistic, transpersonal, Provocative Therapy, family constellation work, Autogenic Training) as well as in the Expressive Arts, including art, drama, dance, and clowning, incorporating these modalities into her work with children and adults. Her teachers have included Joseph E. Berke (psychodynamic supervision), Frank Farrelly (Provocative Therapy), John Rowan (pioneer of humanistic psychology and integrative psychotherapy) and Prof. Shaun McNiff (Expressive Therapies). Hephzibah has published well-received papers in art therapy journals and books. She is a recognized national and international teacher and workshop facilitator and appeared on BBC World News and radio.,