Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein is the originator of The Enchanted Self(R) a positive psychology method for increasing happiness. She has been a positive psychologist in private practice and licensed in the states of New Jersey and Massachusetts since 1981. She is currently in private practice in Long Branch, New Jersey with her husband, Dr. Russell M. Holstein.
The magic of the human spirit, with its capacity for survival, growth and joy, has always intrigued Dr. Barbara. As years went by and her practice grew, she longed to explore adult development even further–specifically how to overcome obstacles and bring pleasure into one’s life while living a life of meaning and purpose.
She began to document certain steps necessary to rekindle our talents, strengths and lost potential which she teaches and has labeled The Enchanted Self. Her research on women (not in her practice) initially focused around the negative messages that these women had received in childhood from their families and environment. However, she soon discovered that there was a magical capacity within these women to reinvent themselves in adulthood even with childhood experiences of internalized negative messages.
Taking this information back to the treatment room, Dr. Holstein discovered that her clients thrived when she helped them glean from their memories what was positive in their past, rather than focusing on the negative elements. She also discovered that affirming her clients’ talents, coping skills, interests, longings, wishes, and even dormant potential, ultimately led to each client flowering, regardless of real problems and issues. She has helped many, many clients and the public overcome adversity and discover that life is worth living. Her methods help people have more positive emotions while understanding how to cope with daily living, so that it is indeed a good life. Mental wellness combined with a true understanding of how to retrieve and recreate positive states of mind again and again are top goals for Dr. Holstein.
Dr. Barbara saw that she was committed, also, to bringing to the world the techniques she developed to help people access their Enchanted Selves. These core principles and techniques, called the Gateways To Happiness have brought insight and inspiration to countless women. Dr. Holstein believes that no one should be denied hope or a joyful life. Yes, happiness takes work, but no more work than living a life without hope, repeating negative thoughts and habits that lead to a life that feels less than inspiring.
Her book The Enchanted Self, A Positive Therapy was published in 1997 by Harwood Academic Publishers and is now in its second printing through Brunner-Routledge. This book is Dr. Holstein’s pathfinder book in which she outlines the best in Positive Psychology treatment techniques, two years before the term was coined!
Her second book Recipes for Enchantment, The Secret Ingredient is YOU! has received rave reviews as a wonderful inspirational story book with space to journal.
There Comes A Time In Every Woman’s Life for DELIGHT is Dr. Holstein’s third book. This book takes the reader on a spiritual adventure with Dr. Holstein. Reader’s love this book, getting to experience first hand celebrations and adventures that rekindle their own spirit of adventure. In two versions, paperback and a CD-rom version that includes music, art, and Dr. Holstein’s voice, either is sure to be a ‘Delight.’
Dr. Barbara speaks regularly on radio programs around the country, and on the internet and appears on television as a guest and as a show host.
Her book, The Truth, I’m Ten, I’m Smart and I Know Everything! is another first in positive psychology-perhaps the first positive psychology fiction book. Written by a ten year old girl as a diary, Dr. Barbara has embedded lots of positive truths that we all need to remember and live by, regardless of our age.
The girl’s edition, titled: The Truth, (I’m a girl, I’m smart and I know everything) debuted February 2008 in bookstores nationwide. Edited for girls and moms, with a special introduction, and questions just for kids, the book is a great read for kids and their moms.
The second book in The Truth Series is Secrets: You Tell Me Yours and I’ll Tell You Mine….maybe! and is a follow-up to The Truth. In the second book the girl is a year older, a year wiser, and yet beset by all sorts of issues that are typical of her age range. There is another crush, some bad moods and emotional upsets, a family move to a new town, conflicts with girlfriends, and a continuing search for her identity as she becomes more and more adolescent.
Dr. Holstein’s most recent books are a trilogy of romantic fiction that is filled with mystery and spiritual awakenings. Next Year in Jerusalem! Part 1 and Part 2 are now available and Part 3 is on its way.
Her other websites include TheTruthForGirls.com, NewShortFilmTheTruth.com and SelfieFilmmakers.com
And find her on Facebook at The Truth for Girls, Enchanted Self, Next Year in Jerusalem and Barbara Becker Holstein.
All of Dr. Holstein’s books are available on Amazon.com