A NOTE FROM OUR FOUNDER
When learning feels playful, it becomes more effective. Children absorb information more quickly, need fewer repetitions, and retain new skills more naturally. Research consistently shows that integrating play into learning increases engagement and leads to deeper, more durable outcomes.

So we ask: what happens when we bring play into psychotherapy?

At BODA, we are always looking for the fun in the work. Not because therapy should be light, but because it positively affects treatment outcomes. And openness creates change.

We assess what our clients genuinely enjoy. And when joy feels inaccessible, we help them rediscover it.

One way we do this is through highly curated outdoor experiences. Whether a client initially identifies as outdoorsy or not, we thoughtfully design experiences that meet them where they are, then gently nudge them beyond their comfort zone.

Helping clients access positivity and joy, especially through movement and nature, is not a side quest of our work; it’s at the core of the work we do. Because when therapy feels fun and engaging, clients are more motivated and primed for growth.

— Andrew Tepper  
Founder, BODA Therapy

HIGHLIGHTED RETREATS

Silent Meditation Retreat  
On June 5–7, 2026, join Andrew Tepper, LCSW and Akshay Lohitsa, MD for an intimate two-night silent meditation retreat designed to support clarity, presence, and meaningful reset through guided meditation and reflection.

Burnout Recovery Retreat  
On July 20–22, 2026, join Andrew Tepper, LCSW and Lauren Seltzer, LMFT for a two-night retreat designed for working professionals seeking burnout recovery, clarity, and reset.

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

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 2026

• March 30 — April 2
  
• April 21 — 24
  
• May 5 — 8
  
• May 29 — 31
  
• June 5 — 7
  
• June 25 — 28
  
• July 9 — 15
  
• July 20 — 22
  
• August 17 — 23
  

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

TOOL OF THE TRADE: BODY DOUBLING
Can't get started? Can't stay on track? You might just need someone nearby, a warm body in the room (or on a video call).

This strategy is called body doubling, and it works surprisingly well for people who struggle with focus, procrastination, or just getting off the starting line. The idea is simple: work alongside another person while each of you does your own thing. Their presence alone creates just enough structure to help you begin and keep going.

Ready to try it?

• 📌 Pick one task you've been putting off
  
• 👯 Recruit a friend, coworker, or family member as your body double
  
• 📅 Schedule a side-by-side session (30 minutes is plenty)
  
• 🗣️ Each of you says what you're working on
  
• 🤫 Work quietly, no chatting, no multitasking
  
• ✅ Check in when the timer goes off
  

No supervision. No pressure. Just shared presence and a surprising amount of progress.

AT’S FINDS

• 🎲 Easy Access, Real Risk — Newport Healthcare highlights how online gambling is increasingly reaching teens and young adults and how early exposure can quietly shape habits and long-term well-being.
  
• 📱 Designed to Hook — A New York Times piece explores how tech platforms are built to keep us scrolling and how that may be shaping our attention and well-being.
  
• 🦜 Slow Down to Tune In — A Psychology Today article explores how birdwatching and nature support focus, reduces stress, and gently strengthens attention.
  

CLIENT SUCCESS STORY: ANXIETY TO INDEPENDENCE
We’re highlighting one of our clients whose journey reminds us why meaningful structure and support matter.

Her struggles with anxiety began in high school and intensified in college, despite years of traditional therapy. Short-term relief never turned into lasting change until she joined BODA’s Accountability Program.

Through a combination of individual therapy, accountability tools, family sessions, and retreat experiences, she found the structure and consistency she needed to build confidence and independence.

Joint sessions with her parents created breakthroughs in communication, teaching the family how to listen, respond, and connect more effectively with each other. Family therapy helped them communicate openly, find common ground, and set healthy boundaries, replacing tension with mutual understanding.

Healing extended beyond the individual. Improved communication reshaped her entire household.

“I don’t think I’d be the person I am today without BODA. It really changed my life.”

Read her full story here →

RESEARCH REPORT FROM BODA THERAPY
BODA Therapy’s new national research report, Disconnected: Teens, Tech & Mental Health, finds that heavy tech use is contributing to rising anxiety, sadness, and isolation among teens.

According to the survey, 78% of parents say their teen would, or might, benefit from mental-health support, and two-thirds have noticed rising anxiety or sadness over the past year. Parents overwhelmingly point to technology as a key factor, with 68% reporting that screen time has negatively affected their teen’s social or emotional well-being.

“Parents aren’t asking for theories, they’re asking for tools,” said Andrew Tepper, founder of BODA Therapy. “This research shows a clear mandate for practical routines that protect sleep, elevate movement, and prioritize real-world connection ideally in nature.”

The report offers concrete steps families can take, including:

• Flag compulsive use of technology by monitoring impact on sleep, schoolwork, and relationships
  
• Address triggers and behavioral patterns, not just screen time totals
  

📘 Access the full report: https://bodatherapy.com/research-report-2025

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 reinforce progress and prevent backsliding, along with customized retreats in the Catskills that blend outdoor experiences with meaningful therapeutic work.

IN THE NEWS

• 🌿 Featured on Parents.com — covering the “flip the phone challenge” and what it means for families
  
• 🌿 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 live experiential therapy sessions
  

---