ART & SOUL BLOG
reflections on healing, growth, and the art of being human.
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- Anxiety and Stress
- Art Therapy and Creativity
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- Emotional Wellness
- Grief
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A Simple Strategy for Difficult Conversations: Make It a Sandwich Because Who Doesn’t Love a Sandwich
Struggling to say something hard without making it weird? Try the “sandwich method”—a people-friendly way to serve up truth with a side of compassion. It works wonders with partners, coworkers, family, and even strangers at the DMV.
A Therapist’s Guide to Tackling Overwhelm
Feeling overwhelmed by a mountain of tasks? Learn how to break big goals into bite-sized steps, manage anxiety, and stay present—one gentle step (and deep breath) at a time.
The Story of Two Wolves
Which wolf are you feeding? In this blog, Tampa therapist Dawn Foretich explores the powerful Cherokee legend of the two wolves and how it mirrors the choices we make in therapy and everyday life. Learn how to tame your inner critic and strengthen your compassionate self.
When Safety Isn’t a Given: How Physical Abuse Shapes the Nervous System, Relationships, and the Path to Healing
Physical abuse impacts how a person feels, thinks, and connects. Learn how trauma reshapes the nervous system, and how trust, safety, and healing can be rebuilt in relationships.
Dear Diary, It’s Me, Trying to Feel Better
From scribbles in a notebook to art-filled pages and voice memos, journaling is one of the most accessible mental health tools out there. Tampa therapist shares how journaling can support anxiety, depression, grief, and more—with a few famous diary keepers for inspiration.
The Healing Power of Humor in Mental Health
Tampa therapist explains how humor helps depression, anxiety, phobias & grief. Learn ways to use laughter to reduce stress and build connection.
Gaslighting: When Someone Makes You Feel Like You’re Losing Your Mind (You’re Not)
Gaslighting makes you doubt your own reality. Learn the signs, why it happens, and how to break free from manipulative relationships with the help of a Tampa therapist.
Grief: You’re Not Going Crazy, You’re Grieving
Grief is messy, nonlinear, and deeply human. Whether you're newly grieving or stuck in the process, here's how to find healing — and why you're not going crazy.
Happy First Time Here: A Beginner’s Guide to Being Human
We’ve never done this before—this whole being-human-on-Earth thing. So why do we expect ourselves to be experts? Let’s drop the pressure, pick up some playfulness, and remember: we’re all just figuring it out as we go.
Embody Your Inner Superhero and Claim Your Power
Feeling stuck in self-doubt? Channel your inner superhero—yes, really. Whether it's Wonder Woman, Beyoncé, or your favorite character from a novel, these muses can unlock the confident, powerful parts of you. Here's how to access that energy and make bold moves in your real life.
Triggers, Teachers and Taking Back Your Power
Discover how to manage emotional triggers without losing your composure. This blog post explores practical coping strategies recommended by Dawn, a Tampa Therapist, on how to respond when loved ones unintentionally push your buttons, and why your triggered parts don’t get to run the show.
Outsmarting the Anxiety Monster: How Personification Helps You Take Back Control
What if you could stop fighting your anxiety and start outsmarting it? Externalizing and personifying anxiety might just be the power move your nervous system’s been waiting for.
Say What You Mean (Always with Respect): The Power of Assertive Communication in Romantic Relationships
Assertive communication enables couples to set boundaries, reduce conflict, and foster emotional safety. Learn how to use it when discussing chores, finances, emotional needs, or even ending a relationship.
Riding the Mood Rollercoaster: What You Should Know About Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder involves more than mood swings—it affects sleep, energy, and emotional regulation. Learn about the DSM-5 criteria, types of bipolar, comorbidities, and treatment options from a Tampa therapist.
Fierce with Reality: How Self-Awareness and Self-Acceptance Set You Free
Discover how becoming “fierce with reality” through self-awareness and self-acceptance can free you from patterns like guilt, codependency, and self-sabotage. A Tampa individual and couples therapist shares tools to help you reclaim your energy and your story.
Trust Issues? Let’s Talk About It.
Learn how trust impacts every relationship—from romantic to personal to the one you have with yourself. Tampa therapist and art therapist Dawn shares how to rebuild trust, offer real apologies, and strengthen your self-trust for a calmer, more connected life.
Understanding Internal Family Systems (IFS): How Mapping Your Inner World Supports Healing
Curious about Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy? Learn how this powerful, evidence-based approach used by Tampa therapist and art therapist Dawn Foretich at The Way is Through can help you heal from within by mapping and connecting with your inner parts.
Healthy Boundaries in Relationships: A Therapist’s Guide to Protecting Your Energy
Setting healthy boundaries isn’t rude—it’s revolutionary. Learn how to recognize boundary types, use assertive communication, and create better relationships without burnout. Tips, examples, and therapist-approved insights inside.
Smile at Your Thoughts: Meditation Isn't About Emptying Your Brain
Meditation isn’t about becoming a thoughtless monk on a mountaintop—it’s about learning to smile at your thoughts instead of letting them run the show. A therapist in the Tampa area explains how this simple practice can support anxiety, stress, focus, and emotional resilience.
Breaking Free from Co-Dependency: How Tampa Couples Can Reclaim Healthy Love
Co-dependency can silently erode relationships, leaving partners exhausted and resentful. If you’re constantly people-pleasing, struggling with boundaries, or feeling responsible for your partner’s emotions, it’s time for a change. Discover how Tampa couples can recognize and heal co-dependent patterns—starting today.
