Psychologist and author Barbara Becker Holstein has announced the upcoming release of a new film titled 'I Had An Affair With My Husband' scheduled for early 2026. The film follows a married couple, Laura and Larry, whose relationship is revitalized when Larry accidentally becomes someone Laura adores more than his former self, leading to both problems and fun. This project emerges from a personal experience Holstein and her husband, psychologist Russell Holstein, had while on vacation, which they recognized as a relatable story about boredom and the 'seven-year itch' in marriages.
Holstein's work spans decades in Long Branch, New Jersey, where she has focused on women's mental health and potential through various media, including books, podcasts, and her innovative 'selfie filmmaking' aimed at tweens, teens, and parents. Her husband, Russell Holstein, has specialized in research on insurance limitations affecting mental health care access. Their collaborative film, currently in editing, represents a shift from written narrative to visual storytelling, building on Holstein's expertise in wrapping Positive Psychology concepts in engaging formats.
In a related announcement, Holstein revealed a new interview available on her Building Resilience And Self Esteem podcast featuring author Mitch Abrams, a sport, clinical, and forensic psychologist with over 25 years of experience. Abrams is noted as an expert in anger management in sports, focusing on normalizing and harnessing anger for peak performance, goal achievement, and relationship optimization. The interview can be accessed at her website, https://www.enchantedself.com/resilience-self-esteem-podcast/.
Holstein's broader media portfolio includes six bestselling books, four self-esteem workbooks for girls aged eight and up, award-winning films, podcasts, stage plays, articles, and TED-style talks. Her recent book, 'Conflict and a Bit of Magic,' helps children build self-esteem through a journal format, and her workbook 'Secrets' became a bestseller in the 'Teen & Young Adult Nonfiction on Depression' category. She has also developed presentations based on Covid-19 pandemic issues, available on platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV under 'The Enchanted Self Presents.'
A significant aspect of Holstein's work is The Selfie Showcase, a project derived from The Selfie Project, which allows young people aged 13 to 18 to express concerns and solutions through selfie videos on important subjects like pandemic-related anxiety. This initiative aims to provide a platform for meaningful engagement on stress and anxiety issues. More information about The Selfie Showcase is available at http://www.selfiefilmmakers.com, where videos can be uploaded, and her primary website is http://www.enchantedself.com.
Holstein's contributions to mental health media highlight the importance of accessible, relatable content in addressing topics like marriage dynamics, resilience, and youth mental health. By leveraging films, podcasts, and interactive projects, she bridges psychological insights with everyday experiences, offering tools for self-improvement and community support in an increasingly digital world.
