What If The Screen Isn’t The Real Problem?
The Wondi Agency Recovery Method (WARM™) is a structured treatment framework that helps adolescents and young adults recover from digital addictions by restoring agency, rebuilding healthy sources of reward, and creating a life that can compete with the addictive behavior.
Book an evaluationThe Premise
Core Philosophy
The behavior is the solution, not the problem.
Digital addictions provide relief from loneliness, anxiety, stress, boredom, lack of purpose, or difficulty coping with life challenges. WARM™ focuses on understanding the function the behavior serves and helping patients develop healthier ways to meet those needs.
Why Traditional Approaches Fail
Restrictions alone rarely last.
Restrictions, parental controls and punishment may temporarily reduce use, but often fail when the underlying needs remain unaddressed. Recovery becomes durable when patients build alternative sources of meaning, connection, and self-regulation.
What is agency?
Agency is the capacity to choose one’s actions intentionally, in alignment with personal values and long-term goals, rather than feeling controlled by impulses, habits, or external pressures.
Book an evaluationWhy Agency Matters
Digital addictions can gradually outsource self-regulation to a source of reward that is frictionless, reliable, and engineered to outcompete effortful real-world living. The goal of treatment is not simply reducing use. The goal is helping patients become the author of their actions again.
Book an evaluationThe Five Stages of Recovery
- 01
Recognition
Recognition of maladaptive behavioral loops and disruption of automatic patterns.
- 02
Stabilization
Reduction of immediate harms while rebuilding sleep, routines, functioning, and emotional stability.
- 03
Substitution & Skill Building
Development of healthier ways to handle stress, emotions, and relationships.
- 04
Reconstruction
Rebuilding life roles, relationships, routines, goals, and meaningful activities around personal values.
- 05
Self Authorship
Regaining the ability to consistently choose actions aligned with personal values.
At Wondi, WARM™ is delivered through a structured 12-week program led by Dr. Jungjin Kim. It begins with a single session with a comprehensive evaluation that includes family involvement.
Book an evaluationProgress measured across four domains
Recovery is tracked with validated clinical tools and real-world functioning, not just reduced usage.
Clinical Assessments
IGDS9-SF, BSMAS, PHQ-9, GAD-7, FAD-GF, DERS, and other validated instruments depending on the patient's presentation.
Behavioral Metrics
Screen usage, sleep patterns, HRV, physical activity, and engagement in non-digital activities.
Family Functioning
Parent stress, family conflict, communication quality, and family functioning.
Functional Outcomes
School performance, work functioning, relationships, emotional regulation, daily routines, and independent functioning.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the WARM Method for?
WARM is designed for adolescents and young adults struggling with behavioral digital addictions, including gaming, social media, gambling, and AI dependency, as well as the families supporting them.
How long does the program take?
WARM is delivered through a structured 12-week program, with progress measured every four weeks. Many families continue with follow-up care as recovery becomes more stable.
Is the program in-person or remote?
Wondi offers both in-person appointments in Belmont, Massachusetts and telehealth, so care can fit your family's situation.
How is family involved in treatment?
Family is built into the method. The home environment shapes whether change holds, so the program includes parent coaching and family sessions alongside individual work.
What happens in the first session?
The program begins with a single 60-minute comprehensive evaluation with Dr. Kim that includes family involvement. From there we build a personalized treatment plan.