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.

My story is the story of a young girl who came alive and stayed alive even as the woman grew older. The girl inside of me became an anchor and a compass for my teachings. She became a female Peter Pan, always there to give me courage to go for the gold, to be true to myself, to allow myself to experience joy and fulfillment. She has been fierce and courageous. Her energy bank is constantly filling up even after disappointments strike. She is determined that I share her ways, wisdom, thoughts and feelings with you.

To do this I have written many books. My first 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. In this book you learn about my search for happiness, women I researched and my clients all leading to how each of us can capture our Enchanted Selves. This is the part of ourselves that originates with the core energy and enlightenment that the child inside of each of us provides. Find out more at Enchantedself.com

Skipping some of my books, let’s get right to ‘The Truth, Diary of a Gutsy Tween, and ‘Secrets, Diary of a Gutsy Teen’ both published by Sky Pony Press. Both are fiction in diary form written for kids, tweens and teens. Also for parents, guidance counselors, grandparents, teachers, etc. Almost every thing that kids go through is brought up in one or both of these books: a first crush, moving, bullies, best friends, jealousy, sibling rivalry, death, spiritual concerns, feeling hurt, secrets, school work, embarrassing moments, parents fighting, solving problems, and more. Read these books with or without parents around. If you want family discussion open to any page and you will see topics pour out to be discussed.

‘The Truth, Diary of a Gutsy Tween, and ‘Secrets, Diary of a Gutsy Teen’ have led to a series of award winning short films which I wrote, directed and are clearly based on these books. These films also lead themselves to discussion, lots of reactions and feelings. The films are available through Cinecosmos or be in touch with me at barbara.holstein@gmail.com

I’m most proud of the girls who have starred in my films, utilizing a nitch I am developing: #Selfiefilmmakers. For more on this subject go to selfiefilmmakers.com and selfiesasfilm.com

‘The Selfie Project’ and my Podcast show ‘The Enchanted Self’ are ongoing projects. ‘The Selfie Project’ is to help kids share and talk about what is on their minds via first making selfie videos and then joining in discussion with other kids and experts. ‘The Enchanted Self’ Podcast gives me a chance to talk and share all I’ve discussed here: my books, films, positive psychology, ways to access your Enchanted Self, and more. We share film clips from my selfie films, hear kids talking about their concerns and worries, hear excerpts from my books, listen to experts share advise and wisdom. Come find my podcasts on itunes and on my You Tube Channel: Barbara Becker Holstein.

If you like romance and mystery read my book ‘Around Every Corner, Romance & Mystery’ which takes place in Jerusalem and will make you want to put more of romance, mystery and travel on your list!

See much more here.

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. She created a television series titled: Positive Psychology Using the Enchanted Self Method Looks at The Seven Gateways to Happiness. On Blog Talk radio her radio show is Authors & Technology, designed to help educate authors to be more business savvy in their use of technology to bring their books to the world.

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 imbedded 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 Iknow 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 websites include: www.enchantedself.com, www.thetruthforgirls.com, www.newromancebooks.com, www.next-year-in-jerusalem.com

And find her on Facebook at The Truth for Girls, Enchanted Self, Next Year in Jerusalem and BarbaraBeckerHolstein.

All of Dr. Holstein's books are available on Amazon.com