- Family of origin issues
- Relationship concerns
- CBT and narrative
About Jennifer
Jennifer Forbes is an Illinois Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with 14 years of clinical experience. She works with people facing relationship concerns, anxiety and stress, grief, addiction, parenting strains, and family of origin issues. Jennifer also supports those coping with intimacy-related problems, career stress, sleeping problems, and life changes.
Before founding Seed of Hope Counseling Services, she worked in both nonprofit and private sectors starting in 2009. Her roles have included counseling, consulting, supervision, and program development for crisis and trauma services. She has helped agencies design and evaluate community programs and has participated on clinical committees focused on behavioral health in Illinois.
Jennifer earned a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s in Applied Family and Child Studies with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northern Illinois University. She holds an Illinois LMFT credential and is a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
In sessions she draws on practical, goal-oriented methods to address everyday problems. She uses approaches such as client-centered work, cognitive behavioral ideas, motivational interviewing, narrative techniques, and solution-focused strategies to help people identify patterns and try new ways of responding.
Her experience includes work with individuals, couples, and families across many concerns. People who are concerned about how their family of origin affects current relationships may find her focus helpful. To begin, clients follow the practice’s intake steps and schedule a first session through the listed pathway.
Therapeutic approaches and working online
Jennifer commonly integrates client-centered work and cognitive behavioral therapy in her practice. Client-centered work focuses on listening and reflecting so people can clarify their own goals and values. Cognitive behavioral therapy looks at the thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going and tests small changes to reduce anxiety, depression, or sleep problems.She also uses motivational interviewing to help people find internal reasons to change. That method is useful when someone feels stuck about decisions such as substance use, parenting choices, or relationship boundaries. The therapist and client discuss options and pick practical steps together rather than following a fixed script.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. Jennifer will help decide which methods fit a person's goals and preferences. She reviews options and adapts methods as progress and priorities become clearer, keeping the process collaborative.
If you are considering online sessions, confirm the current session options before booking. The practice describes a clear intake path to get started and the subscription payment model used for sessions. Online work can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time so therapy fits with work or parenting schedules.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
14+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with relationship problems, anxiety, depression, grief, addictions, parenting concerns, stress, sleeping problems, and family of origin issues among other topics.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
She uses client-centered methods combined with cognitive behavioral ideas, narrative work, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused strategies to help people notice patterns and try practical changes.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 14 years of experience providing counseling, consulting, supervision, and program development in nonprofit and private settings.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is an Illinois Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (IL LMFT) practicing in Illinois.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with clients outside the United States?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions priced?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What do I need to do to get started?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session to begin the intake process.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.