Ten years ago this month, I opened a small therapy practice in Union Square with hopes of supporting the mental health needs of local families. Over the last decade, Liz Morrison Therapy has grown alongside its patients and now serves families nationwide via a virtual practice model. My team of therapists and I have had the honor of helping children, teens, parents and young adults overcome some of life's biggest challenges. In addition, we have collaborated with renowned psychiatrists, doctors, learning specialists, neuropsychologists, schools, and other providers to offer a team approach to clients. In doing so, we have had the pleasure of watching our patients adapt, grow and succeed in many areas of their lives.
Whether you've been with us since the beginning or just joined recently, we thank you for your support and are excited to what the next ten years will bring!
10 Years & Top Ten Blog Posts! (click to read)
For our 10 year anniversary, Associate Therapist Lauren Schapiro, LCSW has compiled a list specifically for teens to help improve their self-esteem.
Model self-confidence - teens look to parents to see how they handle new tasks and set-backs, so model optimism!
Try new things - show your teen it’s okay to try new things and not be perfect. The focus is on learning and growth, not the outcome.
Let your teen fail - learning to be less than perfect is a huge life skill. Failing allows them to gain tools to handle difficulties in the future.
Focus on intentional praise at home - teens respond to positive attention. Try to praise effort and growth, rather than just the end result.
Listen to your teen when they express themselves - showing that you can hear your teen when they come to you, rather than only offering solutions or a lecture reinforces your teens desire to reach out to you in times of need.
Limit time on social media - social media time can have an impact on how teens view themselves and compare to others, so help by setting limits with usage.
Regular self-care at home - stress is inevitable, but encourage your teen to practice self-care by having regular time to calm down and take care of themselves.
Ask your teen for advice - teens gain a sense of purpose when they feel their opinion is valued, so let’s start that at home!
Help your teen explore their interests - interests help teens develop a sense of identity. Think of ways to encourage your teens' involvement in things they enjoy.
Love your teen unconditionally - letting your teen know your love is not contingent on grades, or winning awards. We want to avoid tying love to performance, so let your teen know they are enough just the way they are.
10 Quiet Places in NYC for Teens
by Rachel Maizel, LMSW
Teenagers have an incredibly busy schedule as it is, between school, extracurricular activities, and social commitments, it can make the day-to-day life jam-packed and busy. Additionally,New York City is known for its hustle and bustle culture, and while the culture of New York makes it unlike anywhere else in the world, it can also contribute to increased levels of stress, anxiety, and even depression amongst these busy teens who already have so much going on.
While the liveliness and energy of the city is welcome, so are moments of slowdowns. Between the car horns and crowds, there are surprisingly many places in Manhattan to find refuge from the commotion and find a home away from home, in addition to a nice and quiet place to listen to music, meditate, study, or read.
Here are a few of them:
1. The Met Cloisters https://www.metmuseum.org/visit/plan-your-visit/met-cloisters
Located in Upper Manhattan, the Met Cloisters provides a serene and tranquil
change of scenery. There are beautiful walkways and multiple outdoor resting
places. Additionally, the lack of crowds, the art, and the nature surrounding The
Cloisters provides a sense of home. The Cloisters are a great place to have
peace and quiet away from the main hustle and bustle of the city. It can be a
great place to relax at before or after a big exam or test to help de-stress.
2. The Gardens at St. Luke’s https://stlukeinthefields.org/about/the-gardens-at-st-luke-in-the-fields/
Located in the heart of the West Village, these gardens comprise of 2/3's of an
acre filled with beautiful walking paths, flowers, and butterflies. The rules of no
cellphones, smoking, pets, or children allows this to be a very serene and
quiet environment to take a break in. Since this area is more centrally located in
Manhattan, it can be a good place to listen to music, utilize deep breathing skills
for relaxation, as well as practice mindfulness if feeling anxious.
3. David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center http://www.lincolncenter.org/venue/atrium/
This is an indoor public space that has a wide array of amenities and is
consistently peaceful. This area is ideal for homework or studying, as it has
indoor gardens and plenty of tables with seating that adds to the peaceful
ambience. This space even has restrooms, a coffee bar, electrical outlets, and
Wi-Fi. (Pro tip: Weekdays tend to be quieter.) It is ideal for a quiet place
to be productive. Sometimes it can be difficult to get work done at home and this
provides a quiet and productive environment to help you get through any
assignment that you have coming up.
4. Battery Park Overlook
This outdoor 25-acre park faces New York Harbor. Keep an eye out for the
benches overlooking the water. This is a great spot to have peace and quiet
while also taking in beautiful views. The outdoors is a great place to practice
somatic therapy when feeling anxious. The ample outdoor space allows you to
have your own space and quiet to practice body scans on where you are feeling
the most anxious.
5. The Ford Foundation https://www.fordfoundation.org/about/the-ford-foundation-center-for-social-justice/
This building located in Midtown East has offices perfect for studying as well as
has a garden which is completely open to the public. Walk through the trees, sit
by the central fountain and take in the rainforest-inspired surroundings for the
perfect break from the bustling streets around. With the built-in ASMR sounds for
the fountains in here, it would be the perfect place to practice a guided
meditation.
6. The New York Public Library - The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
A great place to escape the commotion at home and work on an assignment,
study for a test, or just get some quiet time to practice mindfulness and
relaxation. The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building provides free Wi-Fi, quiet
rooms, and computers for research.
7. Conservatory Garden https://www.centralpark.com/things-to-do/attractions/conservatory-garden/
Located at 5th Avenue and 105th Street and open daily from 8am until dusk,
Conservatory Garden is the only formal garden found in Central Park. The quiet,
calm atmosphere of the Garden, free from runners and bicyclists, makes it an
ideal spot for meditation, drawing, walking, and mindfulness. This is a great spot
for both beautiful views of nature and also some quiet.
8. Housing Works Bookstore - SoHo https://www.housingworks.org/locations/bookstore-cafe
The cozy and calm atmosphere of this bookstore is perfect for meetings or group projects. With free Wi-Fi, a café, and a bookstore, you can take a zoom meeting
or work on a group project or relax and browse at the collection of books.
9. Little Island https://littleisland.org
Located right on the West Side Highway, Little Island provides a scenic and
elevated view of the Hudson River. There is an amphitheater with ample seats to
sit and read, relax, or listen to a podcast. The nice breeze from the Hudson
provides additional relaxation.
10. FDR Four Freedoms Park https://www.fdrfourfreedomspark.org
This park provides a picture-perfect space, and offers serene views of the East
River and Manhattan. FDR Four Freedoms Park is less crowded than Central
Park or Prospect Park, and serves as a wonderful spot to sit, read, or just reflect.
As always, please feel free to contact us if we can be of help in any way.
-Liz Morrison, LCSW March 2024