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 where 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 appears on television in New York and New Jersey. Her inspiring audio shows and podcasts can be found on the web. Her articles and stories appear on the web on hundreds of sites. She also gives lectures, seminars, and tele-classes on happiness.

Her book, The Truth, I'm Ten, I'm Smart and I Know Everything! is another first in positive psychology. Written by a ten year old girl as a diary, Dr. Barbara has been able to imbed 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.   It has been a best seller, in the top 100 on Amazon, in the category of Being a Teen.

Her blogs include www.enchantedself.com, www.thetruthforgirls.com and www.positivepsychologyforwomen.com