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A NOTE FROM OUR FOUNDER

We live in a rapidly changing world where technology continues to redefine what it means to feel connected and human. Many people now seek belonging through AI chatbots or online communities like Discord. But as digital interactions grow, it’s more important than ever to champion meaningful, real-life connection.

We are social beings by design — wired for face-to-face interaction. Spending time with others in person isn’t just emotionally fulfilling; it’s biologically essential. It improves our brain chemistry, strengthens resilience, and supports overall well-being.

At BODA, we intentionally build human connection into everything we do — from our experiential therapy sessions and family work to our immersive retreats. Because genuine human connection isn’t just a value we hold, it’s a vital part of healing and growth.

— Andrew Tepper
Founder, BODA Therapy

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CLIENT SUCCESS STORY: ANXIETY TO INDEPENDENCE

This month, 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.

Today, she describes herself as “a totally different person.” Once paralyzed by fear, she now steps into job interviews and social settings with ease and self-assurance. Her parents echo the transformation: “She’s more grounded, confident, and resilient than ever before.”

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

Read her full story here →

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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.

After extended digital use, parents most often notice irritability (46%), trouble sleeping (29%), and withdrawal from family life (22%). Nearly 7 in 10 teens spend three or more hours a day on non-school screens — a pattern many parents believe is eroding confidence, focus, and real-world resilience.

“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 to rebalance tech use and rebuild offline confidence, including:

• Protecting sleep through structured device boundaries
  
• Replacing screen time with movement and outdoor activity
  
• Incorporating family therapy to strengthen communication and accountability
  

📘 Access the full 8-page report — including data, insights, and actionable recommendations for parents, schools, and youth-serving organizations — here:
https://bodatherapy.com/research-report-2025

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TOOL OF THE TRADE: BRING THE FUN BACK INTO EVERYDAY LIFE

Do you ever feel like your day-to-day life is washed out, repetitive, or just plain boring? Try finding small ways to make it fun. When you approach routine tasks with a sense of play and joy, you elevate your entire experience. This mindset shift helps you feel more present, more in control of your emotions, and more open to seeing life as an adventure worth being on.

Turn Your To-Do List Into a Game:
Make a short list of what you want to accomplish today (or over the next few hours). Then, challenge yourself to complete a certain number of items by a set time.
✅ Focus on quality, not just speed. You want the sense of accomplishment, not the burnout.
🎉 When you hit your goal, reward yourself with something small — a treat, a walk, or a moment of downtime.

Pair Chores With Music or Podcasts:
No one loves doing dishes or laundry, but pairing chores with something enjoyable can change your mindset.
🎧 Choose a band, album, or podcast you only listen to while tackling that dreaded task. Over time, you might actually start to look forward to it.

At BODA, we go beyond talking — we focus on giving you tools you can actually use when things get hard. Finding moments of fun doesn’t require special equipment or big changes — just a shift in mindset.

✨ This week, challenge yourself to bring fun back into your daily routine — one small moment at a time.

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AT’S FINDS

📳 According to The New York Times, a lawsuit against a chatbot app, Character AI, alleges that its chatbot companions contributed to a teen’s suicide — raising urgent questions about whether AI-driven chatbots should be protected by free-speech rules or closely regulated instead.

🌀 Jodi Liston, education and therapeutic consultant, discusses when the back-to-school transition feels more like a breakdown, it’s not just students — entire families are wrestling with emotional overload, identity shifts and the pressure of the “perfect” school year.

🤖 New York Magazine’s “The Techno Optimist’s Guide to Future-Proofing Your Child” explores how parents are rethinking schooling, career paths and childhood itself in the era of AI-acceleration.

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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 hour-long office sessions. We provide a structured accountability program to prevent backsliding and reinforce progress. We also design customized 3-to-5-night retreats in the Catskills, blending immersive outdoor experiences with therapy that is dynamic, meaningful, and often enjoyable.

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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 2025:

• November 20 – 23
  
• December 4 – 7
  
• December 18 – 21
  

If you know someone who could benefit from a BODA retreat this fall or winter, email us at info@bodatherapy.com or schedule a phone call with our founder, Andrew Tepper via Calendly:
https://calendly.com/atepper-bodatherapy/new-meeting

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