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, based on a personal experience, follows a married couple named Laura and Larry as they navigate boredom and rediscovery within their relationship, leading to both problems and fun. Holstein and her husband, Dr. Russell Holstein, psychologists practicing in Long Branch, New Jersey, developed the script from a real-life incident during a vacation, aiming to address relatable aspects of marriage like the seven-year itch.
This announcement is significant as it represents Holstein's continued effort to wrap Positive Psychology concepts in engaging media formats to reach broader audiences. Her work spans bestselling books, award-winning films, podcasts, and stage plays, all designed to make psychological principles accessible. Her recent bestselling ebook, 'Women's Freedom: The Dawn of Possibilities,' and workbook 'Secrets,' which achieved bestseller status in the 'Teen & Young Adult Nonfiction on Depression' category, demonstrate her focus on mental health issues across demographics.
In addition to the film, Holstein released a new interview 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 recognized as an expert in anger management in sports, focusing on normalizing and harnessing anger for peak performance and relationship optimization. The interview is available at her website at https://www.enchantedself.com/resilience-self-esteem-podcast/.
Holstein's initiatives have broader implications for mental health awareness and accessibility. Her husband, Dr. Russell Holstein, has contributed through research on insurance limitations affecting mental health care access, highlighting systemic challenges in the field. Holstein's projects, such as The Selfie Showcase, allow young people aged 13 to 18 to express concerns via selfie videos on topics like pandemic-related anxiety, available at http://www.selfiefilmmakers.com. This approach gives youth a platform to engage meaningfully with stress and mental health issues.
Her work extends to various media channels, including presentations on platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV under 'The Enchanted Self Presents,' and her primary website at http://www.enchantedself.com. By leveraging films, podcasts, and digital content, Holstein addresses critical mental health topics such as resilience, self-esteem, and interpersonal relationships, making psychological insights more relatable and actionable for the public. This multi-format strategy underscores the importance of innovative approaches in promoting mental well-being in today's media-driven world.
