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Why Australia’s New Social Media Policy Matters for Teen Mental Health
On December 10, 2025, Australia enacted a groundbreaking national policy that prohibits children under the age of 16 from holding accounts on major social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook, Reddit, Threads, X, Twitch, and others. This ban will only be lifted if these platforms implement age verification measures and enforce the restrictions…
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Rewiring Personality
At the New York Center for Living (NYCFL), we’ve long known what cutting-edge research now confirms: your personality isn’t set in stone—and creative expression can be a powerful catalyst for change. While conventional therapy often centers on talk-based interventions, NYCFL offers something more: a chance for clients to experience change through art, improv, movement, and…
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Caffeine Pouches on the Rise
NYCFL has often highlighted the growing concern about the rise in teen use of nicotine pouches and the challenge it creates when dealing with substance use prevention (even among people in recovery who minimize nicotine use in comparison to other substances). And now, the landscape has expanded to include caffeine pouches, raising new concerns around…
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Reflections on Treatment, Readiness, and the Work of Starting
At the New York Center for Living (NYCFL), we often meet teenagers, young adults, and families at a moment of transition — a turning point where something needs to change, even if the path forward isn’t entirely clear. Beginning treatment can feel daunting. It’s common for individuals and families to arrive unsure of what recovery…
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The Way Out of Thought Traps
The geometric maze of addictive thinking feels overwhelming because it is neurologically complex. But like the helping hand in the illustration, NYCFL’s data-focused therapies are ready to guide you towards The Way Out. Our comprehensive approach—integrating individual therapy, family involvement, creative modalities, and holistic wellness—offers a complete pathway from cognitive confusion to clarity. Substance Use…
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Phone Restrictions
Finding Focus: Why Phone Restrictions in Schools Can Boost Mental Health and Prevent Substance Use Across the country, middle and high schools are increasingly implementing phone restrictions during the school day. While some—but not all—students push back, these policies are gaining traction for good reason: research continues to reveal the negative impact of excessive phone…
