Friday, September 26, 2014

ABC Series Premier, 'Selfie': Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, Positive Psychologist, Offers Insight

Selfies, now a primary means for self expression, have struck a chord with mainstream America for many reasons, the term now making it as the title of a mainstream network show. Dr. Holstein believes selfies can be a valid form of self expression

A new series, 'Selfie' will premier on ABC television this month. The show's central character begins to realize that  having 'friends' on Facebook is not the same as having real friends.

"Next week," Dr. Holstein stated, "we will be watching the first episode. Based loosely on the Eliza Dooley character, we get to follow the new Eliza trying to leave her habit of instant gratification via social media. Henry enters her arena to change her from a vapid person, always distracting herself via social media from her feelings, into a meaningful person who can leave narcissism behind."

"As a positive psychologist what I find fascinating about this sit-com is that the show clearly presents some of the downsides of filling our lives with Facebook friends, rather than taking the time to establish meaningful face to face friendships.  'Being friended is not the same as having friends.' 'A new show that pulls your head out of your cloud.'  However, the show's name Selfie promotes the notion that selfies in and of themselves promote narcissism and a lack of connecting with the rest of the world.  This is far from the truth. Selfies, as I've mentioned before, allow people to finally have access to a fast way to record: a new form of personal diary, for themselves and/or to connect their personal lives with friends and family.  The real culprits are not selfies, but rather a complex combination of factors in the ways we live that push us into instant time chunks, clearly augmented by the social media structure, that don't help us as human beings to feel connected, safe, loved, befriended, relaxed and just happy to be alive and taking our time with life."

Dr. Holstein is fascinated with how selfies have impacted society, and the effects on teens and tweens. She recently released "The Truth, Diary Of A Gutsy Tween". The new book is a revised and expanded edition of her very successful book, 'The Truth: I'm a Girl, I'm Smart and I Know Everything'. The new book is published by Sky Pony Press.

A Facebook page, thetruthforgirls, highlights many of the topics woven into "The Truth".  Articles, videos, remarks, conversations, visuals, on this page center around many of the issues that tweens face growing up.  These include: self-esteem issues, quarreling in families, divorce, moving to a new home, a new school, best friends, a crush, bullies, a death in the family, money issues, not feeling pretty, feeling sad, feeling lonely, jealousy and more. Dr. Holstein's book for teens and tweens is a first in using fiction for embedding positive psychology concepts.

Her second book in The Truth Series is “Secrets: You Tell Me Yours and I’ll Tell You Mine…Maybe!”  Now the girl is 13. She handles many adolescent issues, including a crush, moving, a death in the family, feeling fat and problems with girlfriends.  'Secrets' provides a book kids and parents and grandparents can share and use as a sounding board for needed communication between the generations.

Both “The Truth” and “Secrets” are great for parents, grandparents, older siblings and teachers to establish lines of communication with the tweens and teens in their lives. Both books are being re-released by Sky Pony Press.

Dr. Holstein believes that getting in touch with one's strengths, talents and potential at every age, as well as learning how to hold on to the wise, playful, happy, gutsy and energetic girl that still resides within each woman is essential for mental health.

To assist this process she has written many books, including: case study material as presented in ‘The Enchanted Self, A Positive Therapy’; inspirational stories as presented in ‘Recipes for Enchantment, The Secret Ingredient is YOU’ and romance, mystery books designed to bring fun, excitement, romance and positive psychological truths into women's lives.  Latest books are:  Parts 1 and 2 of ‘Next Year in Jerusalem’, available in paper and as e-books; Parts 1,2 and 3 of ‘Next Year in Jerusalem’ available in one book, incorporated into ‘Around Every Corner, Romance & Mystery...’.

Dr. Holstein is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at drbarbara@enchantedself.com. All of her works are available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and all other online retailers. More information is available at her website at http://www.enchantedself.com. Videos from the first Creative Performance Workshop are available on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIMJ00jmjVO_TzOKTRUEF1eoS3n4uHfCp

Profile:
Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, internationally known Positive Psychologist is the creator of The Enchanted Self ®, a positive psychology method for happiness.  She is in private practice in Long Branch, New Jersey with her husband, Dr. Russell M. Holstein.

Dr. Barbara can be found on the web, interviewed, writing articles and posting video 'TED' style talks on Happiness,  Positive Psychology, Relationships and Parenting.

She has been a contributor to Heart and Soul, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Redbook, Real Simple, The Wall Street Journal, Time on line, the Today Show and Family Circle Magazine.

‘The Enchanted Self, A Positive Therapy’ is in its second printing through Brunner-Routledge. ‘Recipes for Enchantment, The Secret Ingredient is YOU!’ received rave reviews as an inspirational storybook. ‘DELIGHT’ is available in two versions, paperback and a CD that includes music, art, and Dr. Holstein’s voice.

Other works include ‘The Truth, (I’m a girl, I’m Smart and I Know Everything)’, now re-issued and expanded as 'The Truth, Diary of a Gutsy Tween,' 'Secrets: You Tell Me Yours and I’ll Tell You Mine…Maybe!’ and 'Around Every Corner: Romance And Mystery . . . '

Contact:

Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein
170 Morris Ave.,
Long Branch, New Jersey 07740
732-571-1200
http://www.newromancebooks.com
http://www.next-year-in-jerusalem.com
http://www.enchantedself.com
http://www.thetruthforgirls.com
drbarbara@enchantedself.com
https://www.facebook.com/thetruthforgirls?ref=br_tf
Twitter: @truth4girls, and
Twitter: @drbholstein