- LMFT in Illinois
- Focus on relationships
- Practical goal setting
About Jennifer
Jennifer Forbes is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in Illinois with 14 years of clinical experience. She founded Seed of Hope Counseling Services and has spent much of her career building programs and supporting clinicians and community initiatives. Jennifer combines practical problem-solving with a grounded, compassionate manner.
She commonly helps people facing relationship pain, trauma and abuse, anxiety, depression, grief, and parenting strain. Codependency and communication problems are among the areas she often addresses. Her work includes support for people dealing with addictions, sleep difficulties, career stress, and major life changes.
Jennifer’s background includes a Master of Science in Applied Family and Child Studies with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northern Illinois University. She has worked in both nonprofit and private settings since 2009 and has helped design crisis and trauma programs for community agencies.
Her clinical voice blends client-centered care with structured techniques. She uses approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy to help people set clear goals and try practical skills between sessions. Motivational Interviewing and Narrative Therapy also shape how she supports change and meaning-making.
Jennifer has served on state and local clinical committees and is a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists. People who want a therapist who pairs big-picture program experience with down-to-earth, actionable support may find her approach a good fit.
Therapeutic Approaches and How They Translate to Online Work
Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and understanding the person’s experience. The therapist follows the client’s lead and reflects back what matters most to them, which helps build trust and clarity about goals.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and try different behaviors. CBT is useful for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and managing stress by practicing concrete skills between sessions.
Motivational Interviewing supports people who feel stuck or unsure about change. It uses straightforward questions and reflections to strengthen motivation and commitment to a next step.
Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss your goals, try different techniques, and adjust methods based on what is working. You and the therapist will decide together which approaches fit your needs and preferences.
For practical online care details, please confirm session formats before booking because current options are not listed here. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins during the workday. Phone sessions may use less bandwidth, while video sessions let the therapist and client work with visual cues and practice new skills together. Licensed professionals can explain which format would best support your goals when you schedule.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
14+ years
Credentials
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns can be discussed in sessions?
Jennifer works with a broad range of concerns including relationship issues, trauma and abuse, anxiety, depression, grief, parenting stress, addictions, sleep problems, and codependency-related concerns.
What is her general approach in therapy?
Her style combines client-centered care with practical techniques. She often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and solution-focused methods to set goals and practice skills between sessions.
How long has she been practicing clinically?
She has 14 years of experience working in nonprofit and private settings, including program development for crisis and trauma services.
What credentials and region are associated with this therapist?
She is an LMFT licensed in Illinois and is based in that state.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people from other countries work together with her?
She is not accepting international clients at this time.
How are sessions priced and billed?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin if I want to work with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.