- Years in practice
- 14
- Credentials
- LMFT
- Licensed in
- Illinois
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- LGBT
- Focus
- Relationship issues
- Focus
- Family conflicts
About Jennifer
Jennifer Forbes is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in Illinois. She brings 14 years of clinical experience and a long history of program development and community collaboration to her practice. Jennifer often focuses on parenting concerns alongside relationship, stress, and trauma-related issues.
She combines practical problem solving with a warm, direct approach. Before founding Seed of Hope Counseling Services, Jennifer earned a Bachelor of Psychology and a Master of Applied Family and Child Studies with a Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northern Illinois University.
Background and approach
Her career includes work in both nonprofit and personal settings since 2009. She has helped design and evaluate crisis and trauma programs and provided consulting and leadership to community teams. Jennifer has participated on clinical committees in Illinois, including work with the Illinois Health Practice Alliance and regional behavioral health efforts.
She is a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapist (AAMFT). That background informs how she frames practical options for people facing complex problems. In sessions she uses approachable methods that favor clear goals and steady progress.
She works with parents on challenges such as sleep, behavior, and communication. She also supports people coping with anxiety, grief, addiction, relationship strain, and major life transitions. Her style is collaborative and goal oriented.
She listens first, then helps outline small steps to try between sessions. Jennifer emphasizes realistic, achievable changes that fit everyday family life.
What Jennifer works with
Everything Jennifer lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Jennifer helps people with.
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Intimacy-related issues
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- Grief
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Coaching
- Compassion fatigue
- Abandonment
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Blended family issues
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- Divorce and separation
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- Fertility issues
- Forgiveness
- Immigration issues
- Infidelity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Money and financial issues
- Multicultural concerns
- Postpartum depression
- Post-traumatic stress
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Sexuality
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Jennifer lists
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Motivational Interviewing
- Narrative Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
How therapeutic approaches translate to online care
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on understanding each person's perspective and building a trusting working relationship. It helps people feel heard and guides decisions about what to change next. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts, feelings, and actions connect and teaches practical skills to reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and address low mood. Both approaches are useful for parenting challenges, stress, and mood concerns. Choosing the right approach is a joint process. The therapist will ask about priorities, try methods that match those goals, and adjust based on what is or isn't working. Clients help set the pace and choose techniques that feel practical for their family and life. Online formats include video, phone, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video calls let people use visual cues and practice communication skills with guidance. Phone sessions can fit into a work break or be easier when bandwidth is limited. Live chat and text messaging work well for brief check-ins, homework support, and ongoing encouragement between sessions. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent while balancing parenting and daily demands.Questions people ask about Jennifer
What concerns does Jennifer commonly address?
She helps people with parenting challenges, relationship and intimacy issues, anxiety, depression, grief, stress, and trauma. Other areas include addictions, sleep problems, self esteem, and career or life changes.
What is her general therapy style?
Her approach is collaborative and client-centered, with practical steps and clear goals. Sessions focus on what is most useful for daily life and parenting.
How long has she been practicing?
She has 14 years of experience working in nonprofit and personal settings since 2009. That experience includes program development, clinical consultation, and direct counseling.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, credentialed as an IL LMFT, and practices in Illinois.
Which languages are used in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
She provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging as session formats.
How does pricing work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and uses a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions based on the therapist's availability.
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