Ann Shearer is a psychotherapist, Jungian analyst, writer and lecturer, working in London and internationally. Previously, she was a journalist with The Guardian and freelance writer, and an international consultant in services to people with intellectual disabilities. What unites her different activities is an abiding fascination with what makes people the way they are, individually and collectively, and she counts herself lucky to have had opportunities to learn about so many different cultures.She has written 10 highly readable books as well as many articles and book chapters. Books include 'Disability: Whose Handicap?' early in her career, which was followed by others around similar themes. Later, her Jungian training led her to an interest in the relevance of ancient myth to modern psychology. Athene: image and energy' and 'From Ancient Myth to Modern Healing: Themis: goddess of heart-soul, justice and reconciliation' are both reflections of this. .In 2016, she added two new books to her list.'Therese Vanier: pioneer of L'Arche, palliative care and spiritual unity' is a biography of a modest and remarkable woman - a distinguished doctor and steadfast advocate for the needs and rights of people who are too often pushed to society's margins. This draws on the memories of nearly 50 people who knew her, to offer both tribute to her work and critical assessment of its continuing relevance - perhaps especially now, when the forces that divide rather than unite societies are becoming so painfully and dangerously evident.'Why Don't Psychotherapists Laugh?' is a ground-breaking study of the place of humor and enjoyment in therapeutic theory and practice. a topic which has been extraordinarily neglected until now. The book draws on historical examples as well as real-life consulting room stories to explore what both therapists and their clients may have been missing.Here are some reviews: "Ann Shearer writes in a highly entertaining fashion about a topic that has received far too little attention – the therapeutic value of humour in and out of psychotherapy. She brings sharp intelligence to bear on a controversial topic. A most readable and thought-provoking book!"-Murray Stein, author of Minding the Self."Your guide in this book to the philosophy of humor and the history of that philosophy is a likeable, circumspect, engaging writer. Her musings meander in a way that is true to her Dionysian agenda… Your guide is also a Jungian. She's brilliant when expounding ideas about the persona and the shadow, and she is insightful about the transition of Freud and Jung from improvisational explorers to emulated icons… Shearer provides a lovely overview of the compelling case for the therapist's undeniable humanity… She wants smiling and laughter to communicate humanity."-Dr. Michael Karson, University of Denver, author of Deadly Therapy: Lessons in Liveliness from Theater and Performance Theory, reviewing for PsycCritiques"There is much of interest throughout the book about humour and laughter… Above all, Shearer calls us to bring our common humanity into our work with clients. She also shows that there is much to be enjoyed in this work, not least the clients themselves."- Jamie Rance, reviewing for Private Practice'Ann Shearer, the well-known English Jungian analyst and former journalist has written a delightful and pioneering work….It is that most unusual combination: a book that is both serious and funny.…Shearer's book inspired me to think more deeply about the use of humour in analysis….There are many topics waiting to be explored.' Henry Abramovitch, founding president of the Israel Institute of Jungian Psychology, professor at Tel Aviv University medical school, reviewing for Jung Journal: Psyche and Culture.'Ann Shearer legitimately questions whether as practitioners and theoreticians, our orientation is perhaps overly concentrated on accentuating the negative: "the persistent psychotherapeutic preference for unhappiness"…. Her lucid treatment of the topic combines both depth and lightness and is a consistently enjoyable read…I would thoroughly recommend it for psychotherapists and those interested more broadly in depth psychology.' Edward Bloomfield, training with the Society for Analytical Psychology, reviewing for International Journal of Jungian Studies.