LMHC, 17 years of experience
New to Grow
Hi, I’m Dawn Foretich, LMHC, and art therapist. I believe everyone needs someone to talk to sometimes. Therapy with me is a little like talking to your wisest, calmest friend who also knows a thing or two about neuroscience, attachment theory, and what to do when your inner critic won’t stop monologuing. I offer a warm, collaborative, and sometimes delightfully creative space (hello, art therapy!) for folks navigating anxiety, grief, trauma, identity shifts, burnout, and life’s never-ending plot twists. I blend Internal Family Systems (IFS), mindfulness, somatic practices, CBT, and compassion-focused therapy to help you make sense of what feels heavy, reconnect with your strengths, and find more clarity (and maybe even a little peace) in the chaos. Whether you’re processing a life change, unlearning perfectionism, or just trying to feel more like you again, I’m here to help you move forward with curiosity, compassion, and a few well-timed metaphors. Located in Florida and offering telehealth throughout the state, I work with adults ready to make meaningful shifts—without the pressure to have it all figured out. You don’t have to go through this alone. I’d be honored to walk beside you.
First of all—take a deep breath. Really. Our first session isn’t about fixing everything all at once (because that’s not how real life or therapy works). It’s about slowing down, getting curious, and beginning to build something meaningful—together. We’ll start by creating a safe, collaborative space where you don’t have to impress anyone (least of all me). You can show up messy, nervous, overprepared, or completely unsure what to say. That’s all welcome here. I’ll ask questions to get to know you: What’s been going on lately? What brings you to therapy? What goals or hopes do you have for this process? We’ll talk about what’s working, what’s not, and what you’d like to explore—whether that’s anxiety, grief, trauma, identity shifts, or just feeling stuck. We’ll also go over logistics like confidentiality, scheduling, and how our sessions will flow. I might introduce you to parts work (IFS), CBT, mindfulness, or somatic tools so you get an idea of how I work with clients. Think of it as a “getting to know you” chat with therapeutic depth—not a spotlight interrogation. My goal is for you to leave the first session feeling heard, supported, and maybe even just a little bit lighter.
Clients often tell me they feel truly seen and heard in our work together—and honestly, that’s the best compliment I could ask for. I’m a great soundboard and an enthusiastic cheerleader, but I also believe in the power of honest reflection and gentle accountability. I’ll celebrate your wins and compassionately call out the sneaky patterns getting in your way (with zero judgment, of course). My approach is creative, flexible, and collaborative. I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all therapy style—I mold my skills to meet your unique needs. Whether that means using talk therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), somatic awareness, CBT tools, mindfulness, or art therapy (yes, stick figures count), we’ll find what works for you. I meet you where you are—whether that’s overwhelmed, stuck, grieving, anxious, numb, burned out, or questioning everything—and help you reconnect with your own insight, strength, and clarity. You don’t have to have it all figured out. That’s what I’m here for. I bring warmth, curiosity, humor, and a deep respect for your lived experience. This is your space to explore, heal, grow, and feel more like you.
My ideal client is insightful, curious, and tired of pretending they’ve got it all together. They’ve been the strong one, the fixer, the overthinker, and now they’re wondering, “Okay…but what about me?” They might be navigating a life transition, sitting with grief that overstayed its welcome, trying to hush anxiety’s megaphone, or rethinking their relationship with productivity, people-pleasing, or perfectionism. Maybe they feel like they’ve lost parts of themselves—or never got to meet them in the first place. They’re ready to explore what’s under the surface, even if it feels a little messy (it’s okay, I have art supplies and tissues). Whether we’re diving into inner child work, mapping out parts through IFS, or gently calling out that inner critic with a side of IFS, this client is willing to show up with honesty, a dash of humor, and an open heart. They’re not looking for cookie-cutter advice—they want a collaborative, creative, and compassionate space to feel seen, supported, and empowered. If this sounds like you, I already like you. Let’s get to work.
I use CBT to help clients gently challenge the inner critic and rewrite the scripts that keep them stuck. We explore the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and learn practical tools—like reframing and challenging negative thoughts —to shift unhelpful patterns. It's not about "thinking happy thoughts" but about thinking more clearly, kindly, and effectively.
I incorporate somatic-based therapy to help clients tune into what their body has to say—because sometimes our bodies spill the tea before our brains catch up. Whether it's a tight jaw, a racing heart, or shoulders pretending to be earrings, I use gentle movement, breathwork, and grounding techniques to help regulate the nervous system and bring more awareness to physical cues that signal stress, safety, or stuck emotions. It's like learning to speak your body's language—without needing Google Translate.
I use Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy to help clients get to know the many “parts” of themselves—yes, even the overachiever who won’t stop organizing the pantry at midnight, and the inner critic who thinks they’re just being helpful. IFS provides us with a compassionate map to explore those inner voices, understand their protective roles, and gently reconnect with the calm, wise Self that has always been there, beneath the mental noise all along.
In my practice, trauma-informed care isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the foundation. I understand that past trauma can shape how you see the world, how you trust, and how your nervous system hits the panic button even when everything seems fine. So, I approach each session with curiosity, compassion, and zero judgment. We go at your pace, always prioritizing emotional safety, consent, and choice—because healing shouldn’t feel like another trauma.
I weave mindfulness into therapy like it’s the grounding thread in a very human tapestry. Together, we learn to press pause on the mental chaos and tune into the present—your breath, your body, your thoughts—without judgment (because who needs more of that?). Using breathwork, somatic check-ins, and meditative awareness, we practice shifting from auto-pilot reactions to conscious responses. It's about noticing, not fixing—and from that space, change happens.