Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein is a best-selling author, award-winning Selfie Filmmaker, Positive Psychologist and podcaster. In all her books and films, Dr Holstein presents positive psychology as entertainment and a means to happiness.
It is vitally important for teens to build self-esteem, as it has a significant impact on their mental health, social relationships, and overall well-being. Positive self-esteem leads to better mental health, a positive self-image, resilience, and an improved overall outlook on life. Self-esteem and resilience are needed to help kids navigate life’s challenges. Nothing is more important.
Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein has released a series of five books that help girls, age 8 and up, begin to develop both self-esteem and resilience. There are five books in the series. In each, the reader is offered an opportunity to develop her creative talents and potential as she processes and better understands the angst of growing up and how it can be successfully handled. The reader can bring her own talents to her thoughts and responses to the issues presented, which will further take her along a road of enhanced resilience and better self-esteem.
"The recent research about girls recently astounds most of us," Dr. Holstein stated. "Is it possible that a high percentage of our girls are depressed, and even suicidal? Parents, teachers, guidance counselors, pediatricians, psychologists, social workers, school principals, grandparents, TV interviewers, and more - suddenly we are all in shock. How could this happen? Yes, we’ve lived through a pandemic, yes schooling was a bit chaotic and more or less than adequate for parts of the pandemic, but could schools be the whole answer? Or maybe it’s the fault of the internet and social media? Or is it the fault of climate change and the anxiety kids feel wondering if the world as they know it will exist when they have kids? Or is it the rage and often mental illness that leads to school lock downs and children dying in the classroom? Or is it the way policemen handle the public? Of course, maybe absolutely yes, maybe absolutely no. What are we left with in the middle of the night when we are frightened for our kids and your kids and the earth and the future for all of us?
"Perhaps a combination of factors, perhaps all of the above in bits and pieces. Actually, I believe there is no one place to place the blame. As a psychologist for over 40 years in both schools and private practice, I believe that, rather than looking for whom to shame or blame, we must look at how we can save our generation of kids. I often focus on girls, as I believe they have been understudied over the years, and less research has been done to understand what girls and women need to thrive. Perhaps for innocent reasons, as women are extremely complex (as any woman or husband can probably verify).
"Also, women historically have been left out of government, engineering, becoming doctors, even religious leaders, etc. over hundreds of years. The research I have done over the years with girls and adult women has shown that girls and women thrive when they can live up to their potential, their dreams, their talents. That is why when I reviewed the recent research about our girls, I immediately came to the conclusion that as a positive psychologist what I can offer millions of girls and their parents is how to handle important subjects in a way that reduces pain and brings families together rather than apart. How could I do this fast?
"A slow way I have already been doing is podcasts where I’ve invited guests on my show, "The Enchanted Self Presents: Tweens, Teens, Young Adults," as well as teachers, climate experts, school principals, psychologists, parents, and grandparents. We’ve talked about shootings, lock downs, the climate, and more. Actually, these podcasts led to my Selfie Project, which is bringing a voice to kids, tweens, teens, and young adults. I made a documentary film about The Selfie Project where four teenage girls share what is really on their minds and what could help them.
"All of the above have been helpful and made a difference, but for this moment in time, I needed more, and I needed a fast way to bring information and some relief to girls and their families. Aha, how about workbooks? And now, there are five of them in print, ready to be used by girls, their parents, their grandparents, their teachers, and others.
"Each book is designed to cover subjects that pop up again and again in most families and for most girls growing up. The first book, "Angst," covers a lot of the rage and moods that go with puberty. The second book, 'Secrets', covers many adolescent issues, feelings, and thoughts. The third book, "I'm Smart," helps girls recognize their talents, strengths, and potential, while the fourth workbook, "Changes," tackles more aspects of issues on girls' minds as they start to date, are emotionally challenged, and continue to come of age in a complex society. The first four books offer pages where the girl can draw, keep notes, write a short play, become creative, or even make a selfie film. The last book is less of a workbook and more of a fun opportunity to bond with siblings, friends, parents, and grandparents while talking about subjects brought up.
"All of these five books include access to some of my selfie films that I have made to help all of us deal with coming of age, whether our own or someone we love who is 50 years younger than us or my three books for girls that, in diary form, include many upbeat ways to solve situations we face in life as we mature.
"I rushed these books to print as I believe we need solutions coming from many people from all different backgrounds and training. We are on a fast train that may not have safe brakes. I’m riding it, and so are you. This is what I’m offering our girls and parents today. What can you offer today, tomorrow, next week? Can we save our generation of girls? I say yes, but we all must pitch in."
Whether she is writing and directing award-winning selfie films, publishing bestselling books, creating podcasts or stage plays, the driving force behind everything she does is to help people, particularly young people and women, become more resilient and build a strong sense of self-worth.
The result is the creation of films which people of all ages, from children to teens, to parents and grandparents can enjoy and use to discuss issues which people of all ages can relate to and enjoy and more forward to discuss better ways and approaches to dealing with difficult coming of age issues and decisions.
Her approach has resulted in films that have placed or been awarded over 125 times.
Dr. Holstein hopes to bring parents, teachers, librarians, grandparents and media together to accomplish one goal: Change in the lives of young people who suffer from anxiety and a growing sense of hopelessness and despair.
Dr. Holstein wraps Positive Psychology concepts in forms of media that young people find engaging, relatable and inspiring. These include:
Three Bestselling, award-winning books (perfect for school libraries)
Award-winning films and selfie films
Podcasts
Dedicated websites
Stage plays
A library of articles
Ted-style talks
"I am also making my latest film 'Lock Down' available to parents and educators," Dr. Holstein stated. "We have no time to waste in dealing with the safety of our kids, physically and emotionally. I hope 'Lock Down' will help generate the type of compassionate concern and connection that moves us as a society to thoughtful and timely solutions."
In addition, Dr. Holstein was one of five people chosen this year for the Wall of Honor at Norwalk High, her alma mater in Norwalk Connecticut, by the Norwalk High School Alumni Association.
As a school psychologist and in her private practice, Dr. Holstein has worked with many children and parents, helping them to develop life skills in decision-making, recognition of their own talents, feel more courageous, and helping both kids and parents develop more successful inter-generational skills. Her last book, ‘Conflict and a Bit of Magic’, helps kids build self-esteem though reading the journal of a girl, identifying with the girl, and understanding they have more courage and resiliency than they thought they had. The book is based on the experiences of the already famous “girl” from 'The Truth, Diary of a Gutsy Tween' and 'Secrets, Diary of a Gutsy Teen', and achieved bestseller status in the multi-generational families category.
Dr. Holstein's cutting-edge presentations, most recently based on the Covid-19 pandemic issues, can be found on both YouTube, Vimeo and on the Roku channel and Amazon Fire TV, titled as 'The Enchanted Self Presents'.
Dr. Holstein recently created The Selfie Showcase, a new project emerging from The Selfie Project, that allows young people to voice their opinions on subjects that matter to young people, including the pandemic. She is now accepting submissions from the public for the "Selfie Showcase" and is actively seeking change-makers and mental health professionals to appear on her video podcasts.
The Selfie Showcase allows kids, teens, and young adults ages 13 to 18 to candidly express their concerns, worries, observations and possible solutions by creating selfie videos or films around important subjects using a smartphone. Dr. Holstein's mission is to help rectify, in several ways, some issues young people face by giving them a chance to engage with others in meaningful ways about the anxiety and stress they must grapple with constantly.
Selected participants may appear on the Selfie Project Channel, available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3uaOTcYF70z5CpBh11VoUQ. They will also appear in the Selfie Showcase on SelfieFilmmakers.com. They may be invited to be on Holstein's podcast or perhaps be a part of her next film. Full details, rules for submission and helpful hints can be accessed at the Selfie Filmmakers site at http://www.selfiefilmmakers.com/instructions.
Holstein's unique Selfie Films have taken many awards and have been shown in many film festivals and competitions. A full list, now over 125, can be found at http://www.Enchantedself.com.
Holstein's podcast series is actively seeking change-makers and visionaries to appear on her podcasts. Dr. Holstein hopes to feature members of traditional media, mental health professionals and educators who can make a real difference in the lives of young people. Many of the podcasts feature young people - to give them a voice regarding their concerns and their solutions. Guests, if accepted, can arrange to appear by contacting Dr. Holstein directly.
For more free downloads visit her web store at https://payhip.com/drbholstein.
Dr. Holstein is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at barbara.holstein@gmail.com. ‘Seven Ways To Help Your Family Recover From The Pandemic’ is available at Amazon. More information about the Selfie Showcase is available at http://www.selfiefilmmakers.com. Selfie videos and selfie films can be uploaded at the site. Potential podcast guests can contact Dr. Holstein by email. More information is available at her primary website at http://www.enchantedself.com.
Profile:
Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, internationally known Positive Psychologist is the creator of The Enchanted Self ®, a positive psychology method for happiness and a pioneer in Selfies as Film. Dr. Holstein's Enchanted Self website was included as one of the best websites in positive psychology. 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. Her Roku channel is: The Enchanted Self Presents.
She has been a contributor to Your Tango, Heart and Soul, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Honey Good, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Redbook, Real Simple, Women’s World, The Wall Street Journal, Psychcentral.com, Time online, the Today Show and Family Circle Magazine.
Contact:
Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein
170 Morris Ave.,
Long Branch, New Jersey 07740
barbara.holstein@gmail.com
732-571-1200
http://www.enchantedself.com
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