WHAT WE DO

BODA Therapy offers a new approach for preteens, adolescents, young adults, and families. Centered on accessibility, engagement, and accountability, we engage clients in experiential therapy and coaching which pairs therapy with familiar and enjoyable activities and goes beyond traditional in-office hour-long sessions. We provide a structured accountability program to prevent backsliding and reinforce progress.

We also design and facilitate customized 3–5-night experiential retreats in the Catskills, blending immersive outdoor activities with therapeutic work that’s dynamic, meaningful, and often enjoyable.

BODA RETREATS

At BODA, we go beyond the traditional weekly therapy session by creating immersive, nature-based experiences designed to support lasting change.

Our retreats bring participants outside—hiking, biking, fishing, skiing, and engaging in meaningful therapeutic work. Why? Because time in nature is more than refreshing—it’s clinically proven to:

• 🌟 Boost mood and focus
  
• 🌟 Improve short-term memory
  
• 🌟 Lower stress and PTSD symptoms
  

These experiences help our participants engage more deeply and build a sustainable blueprint for well-being. BODA retreats are also designed to complement ongoing therapy—not replace it. We work closely with referring clinicians to ensure continuity of care, offering an added layer of support when participants need a reset, more intensive skill-building, or help navigating a challenging period.

Upcoming Retreat Dates:

• • August 2–5
  
• • August 19–22
  
• • August 26–28
  
• • September 4–7
  
• • September 18–21
  
• • October 2–5
  
• • October 16–19
  
• • November 6–9
  

If you know someone who could benefit from a BODA retreat this summer or fall, email us at info@bodatherapy.com or schedule a phone call with our founder, Andrew Tepper via Calendly.

TOOL OF THE TRADE: COLD EYE MASKS TO REDUCE ANXIETY

Did you know that emotional regulation isn’t just something you think your way through—it’s something your body can physically activate?

Groundbreaking research from the MaD Lab highlights the Cold Face Test, a simple, science-backed technique that taps into the body’s stress response system. This method shows how targeting the vagus nerve—a major nerve involved in regulating mood, digestion, and heart rate—can help shift you out of fight-or-flight and into a state of calm.

Try this: Pop your mask in the freezer, and when you’re feeling anxious or dysregulated:

• • Place it over your eyes and upper cheeks for 30 seconds
  
• • Breathe deeply
  
• • Let your body do the rest
  

This quick, physical “reset” can:

• ✔️ Lower anxiety
  
• ✔️ Help you feel more grounded
  
• ✔️ Empower you to stay regulated in daily life
  

Why it matters: At BODA, we believe in giving participants real tools—not just talk. Techniques like this support deeper emotional work and help build resilience, one of the most important foundations of long-term mental wellness.

So next time you feel overwhelmed, try going to your freezer instead of your phone. Your nervous system will thank you.

AT’S FAVORITE FINDS

💻 Relying too much on ChatGPT could dull your brain—MIT finds it weakens memory, effort, and critical thinking.

📌 Buddhist Gelong Thubten reveals how Western culture, screen addiction, and trauma are silently wrecking your mental health — and how real mindfulness can help you heal.

🌿 The NYT’s “Well” reports growing evidence that vaping harms heart and lung health—and may impact teen brain development due to thousands of unregulated chemicals in vape aerosols.

IN THE NEWS

🌿 BODA Therapy was featured in The New York Times! The article highlights founder Andrew Tepper’s unique use of outdoor activities—like hiking, skiing, and campfire cooking—to help young participants connect more openly in therapy by making it feel natural, active, and personal.

🌿 BODA Therapy featured on NBC News Now! The segment showcases founder Andrew Tepper guiding NBC’s Dr. Syal through an outdoor session—hiking, skiing, and sitting around a campfire—as a live example of how ditching the office makes therapy feel more natural, active, and resonant for participants.