Hug Therapy

Stone Kraushaar, “The Hug Doctor,” is a firm believer that all people share a profound human connection. The Hug Doctor loves working with people ((in the space of a hug)) for them to focus in on what really matters to them and be more deeply connected with their friends, family and beyond. Drawing on academic and professional experience as a psychologist and a therapeutic coach, a nurturing and supportive family, and a passion for helping people live powerful lives, The Hug Doctor sees relationships through the lens of hugging. To him, a hug, whether real or virtual, is a metaphor for lowering walls and bringing people together. He has devoted his life to developing the skills, tools, and attitudes to become a world-class hugger. A warm and affectionate person, the Hug Doctor is not only comfortable hugging complete strangers he loves nothing more than connecting with groups of people. His focus is on inspiring them about the power of hugging to live a more deeply connected and vital life. He is an expert resource for educating about longer hugs, 21-second hugs, and even coaches people to “get lost in the hug.” He has created a powerful movement based on people going on 21-day hugging journeys about which he is extremely passionate. Prior to launching the 21-day hugging movement, Stone spent eight years as a staff psychologist with the Student Health Services at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Before settling in St. Louis, he worked with children, adolescents, individuals, couples, and families in a group psychological practice. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Denver with his B.S. degree and also earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology at the University of Denver. His doctoral dissertation explored how effectively a heterosexual therapist can provide therapy for male couples. His American Psychological Association (APA)-approved psychology internship was at the UCSB Student Health Services at the University of California-Santa Barbara. He completed his post-doctoral work at Yale student health services. Most recently The Hug Doctor was excited to be invited to speak as a hugging expert at the 32nd annual National Hugging Day event at Agape Spiritual Center in Los Angeles. He was honored as a founding member of The Hug Alliance http://www.thehugalliance.net/ to be a part of bringing together people of over 40 different nationalities and leading them in the world’s largest 21-second hug. The Hug Doctor has also been pleased to be able to present his views on the power of hugging in the United States and Europe. He welcomes the opportunity to speak about the impact of longer hugs, going on 21-day hugging journeys and living in ((the space of a hug)). For over twenty years, James Twyman, also known as The Peace Troubadour, has traveled to countries at war to share the prayers of peace from the 12 major religions of the world he put to music in 1994. He has been invited by peace organizations and even the leaders of countries to Bosnia, Iraq, Northern Ireland, South Africa, Syria and many other countries to initiate world synchronized meditations while battles raged around him. Each time millions of people participated, and miracles have often followed. James is also the New York Times bestselling author of sixteen books, has recorded over eighteen musical albums, and has produced or directed six films. ​ James has been a teacher of non-dualistic spirituality for over twenty years. As a student of A Course In Miracles, James has traveled around the world inviting people into the experience of Oneness. He has worked with many other spiritual leaders including Wayne Dyer, Neale Donald Walsch, Gregg Braden and Doreen Virtue. His book and The Moses Code set the foundation for his teachings on the I AM Consciousness. ​ For more information on James and his work go to www.worldpeacepulse.com/james_twyman

Contents
Foreword
Author’s Note
Introduction
This Is How It Happened


Part I: Hugging Essentials
Part II: How to Hug
Part III: Embrace Yourself
Part IV: Embrace Life
Part V: Embrace Others
Part VI: Summing Up and Moving Forward


Why I Wrote Hug Therapy
Afterword
Appendix
About the Author