Is a Positive Person Happy all the time?

A positive person is not happy all the time. But a positive person has either innate character traits and/or has learned techniques to help herself restore herself is she falls into some despair or lowered mood state. For example, a “positive” person realizes that things do not always go our way. However, even if she […]

THE ENCHANTED SELF, That’s Each of Us!

In my years as a psychologist, I have come to believe that most people seeking psychotherapy are unhappy. This is not only due to earlier hurts and traumas, as well as present frustrations and problems, but because they cannot access earlier happy moments often enough. The unfortunate result is not being able to experience enough […]

Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, discusses her positive psychology approach, THE ENCHANTED SELF and a great new book in positive psychology, WOMEN’S PATHS TO HAPPINESS, in which she is one of the authors.

As the years have passed and I have become increasingly convinced that happiness is not an option. When you take away joy we immediately find ourselves in circumstances that seem to drain tire and weaken us. I developed The Enchanted Self as a positive psychology approach to work in the treatment room and outside of […]

Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, Positive Psychologist Presents her paper, WRITING FOR PSYCHOLOGY, CASE BOOK, FICTION, WHAT’S NEXT? at Norwalk Community College.

I uploaded a very short video in which I discuss some of the core concepts of The Enchanted Self. The video excerpt is part of a lecture that took place at Norwalk Community College, November 2008 at the annual Writer’s Conference. The full title of my presentation was: Writing for Psychology, Case Book, Fiction, What’s […]

Conversation With Edward W. Smith

“Becoming more like a child might be just what you need to move your life ahead in some wonderful ways. Children have learning curves and enjoyment curves, we never approach as adults. Our learning and enjoyment of life slows the older we get. If you want to turn this around, pick up some of the […]

Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein quoted in a major national article on Happiness, On The Edge: The Happiness Craze

August 20, 2008 by Linda Formichelli Happiness isn’t a new concept—Aristotle wrote about the topic more than 2,300 years ago and Thomas Jefferson included the “pursuit of happiness” as an unalienable right in the Declaration of Independence—but authors have been flocking to the subject in recent years, unleashing numerous prescriptions for well-being and joy that […]