A NOTE FROM OUR FOUNDER
A lot of people come into therapy feeling stuck. They understand their patterns. They know where these patterns come from, can explain them, and have probably talked about them many times. But when real-life situations arise, they still react the same way, especially in relationships, during stress, or when old fears come up. This can be really frustrating, but it's also very common. One of the most important things to understand about therapy is this: insight helps, but it usually isn't enough on its own.

Real change happens through practice. It's about noticing what's happening in the moment, pausing, and trying a different response, even when that's hard to do. Then doing it again and again. Over time, those small shifts start to add up. The process can feel slow, and sometimes discouraging, but it's how lasting change actually happens.

At BODA, the focus is on turning understanding into action. That might mean catching patterns as they happen, learning ways to manage stress, communicating more clearly, setting healthier boundaries, and practicing new responses in everyday life, not just in sessions.

Change doesn't usually happen all at once, but even when it's gradual, it's real. The goal isn't just to understand your patterns. It's to start changing how you respond to them, day by day.

— Andrew Tepper  
Founder, BODA Therapy

BODA RETREATS

Upcoming Retreat Dates 2026

• May 5–8
  
• May 29–31
  
• June 5–7 — Silent Meditation Retreat with Andrew Tepper, LCSW and Akshay Lohitsa, MD
  
• June 25–28
  
• July 9–15
  
• July 20–22
  
• August 8–15
  
• Date TBD — Burnout Recovery Retreat with Andrew Tepper, LCSW and Lauren Seltzer, LMFT
  

📍 Tannersville, New York  
Spots are limited. Email info@bodatherapy.com to learn more.

At BODA, we go beyond the traditional weekly therapy session by creating immersive, nature-based experiences designed to support lasting change. BODA retreats are also designed to complement ongoing therapy, not replace it.

TOOL OF THE TRADE: OPPOSITE ACTION
Ever feel an emotion pushing you toward exactly the wrong move? To shut down, snap, avoid, or retreat, even when you know it will not help?

That is where opposite action comes in. A core DBT skill, opposite action means doing the opposite of what an unhelpful emotion is urging you to do. When an emotion is not aligned with the facts or is pulling you away from what would actually help, changing your behavior can help shift how you feel.

Try this:

• Name the feeling — pause and identify what you're actually feeling
  
• Check the facts — does this emotion fit the situation?
  
• Notice the urge — what is it pushing you to do?
  
• Do the opposite — act against that urge, fully
  
• Stay with it — continue until the emotion shifts
  

Opposite action is not about pretending or forcing yourself to feel differently. It is about choosing a response that helps, even when your emotions are pushing you in another direction.

AT’S FINDS

• ☀️ Light Does More Than Brighten Your Day — exposure to natural light supports mood, sleep, and overall well-being
  
• 💊 Why Vitamin D Matters More Than You Think — deficiency impacts both mood and overall health
  
• 🌱 Why Spring Alone Does Not Fix Burnout — seasonal changes help, but deeper stress requires intentional recovery
  

FEATURED CLIENT SUCCESS STORY: IN HER OWN WORDS
This week, we're letting one of our clients speak for herself.

Before BODA, years of traditional therapy brought short-term relief but no lasting change. Her anxiety had followed her from high school into college, and her family was running out of options. Then she joined BODA's Accountability Program, combining individual therapy, coaching, family sessions, and a retreat.

Here's what she and her family had to say:

"I'm a totally different person."

"If you spend money on anything, spend it on this. It changed our daughter, and it changed us as a family."  
— her parents

"I don't think I'd be the person I am today without BODA. It really changed my life."

Read her full story here →

IN THE NEWS

• 🌿 Featured on Parents.com — covering the “flip the phone challenge”
  
• 🌿 Featured in CNBC — discussing AI companions and teen mental health risks
  
• 🌿 Featured in The New York Times — highlighting outdoor therapy approaches
  
• 🌿 Featured on NBC News Now — showcasing experiential therapy sessions
  

WHAT WE DO
BODA Therapy offers a new approach for preteens, adolescents, young adults, and families. Rooted in accessibility, engagement, and accountability, we facilitate experiential therapy and coaching through familiar, enjoyable activities that extend beyond traditional sessions.

We provide structured accountability programs to prevent backsliding and reinforce progress, along with customized retreats that blend immersive outdoor experiences with meaningful therapeutic work.

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