- Sleep and rest focus
- Practical coping skills
- Faith-aware approach
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 guided many people through stress, grief, relationship strain, and sleep difficulties. Jennifer frames her work around practical support and steady encouragement.
She has worked in both nonprofit and private settings since 2009. That work included counseling individuals, couples, and families and advising organizations on clinical program development. Her background also includes consulting, supervision, and contributions to community crisis and trauma initiatives.
Jennifer trained at Northern Illinois University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology and a Master of Science in Applied Family and Child Studies with a specialization in marriage and family therapy. She has served on clinical committees with regional behavioral health groups and is a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
In sessions she focuses on clear goals and practical steps. Conversations often cover coping with anxiety or depression, healing from trauma, navigating parenting and family issues, relationship and intimacy concerns, addiction and recovery, and strategies to improve sleep and rest.
Her style aims to be warm, direct, and faith-aware for those who find that meaningful. She combines narrative and solution-focused ideas with client-centered care to help people identify patterns, shift unhelpful routines, and build small changes that add up.
How her approaches translate to online care
Client-centered therapy emphasizes the client's experience and priorities. The therapist listens closely, reflects what she hears, and helps people set their own goals; this approach is useful for issues like self-esteem, relationships, and deciding next steps.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors connect. It supports practical strategies for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and stress by testing small behavior changes and adjusting what doesn’t work.
Motivational Interviewing helps people find their own reasons to change. It is often used when someone is weighing options about recovery, habit change, or committing to a treatment plan.
Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss goals, try approaches that fit the situation, and adjust methods based on what the client prefers and how they respond. Collaboration guides which techniques are emphasized over time.
If you want online sessions, please confirm current session options before booking because formats are not listed here. Online care can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when life feels hectic. It also makes it simpler to keep continuity of care after relocating within the state. Licensed professionals can help tailor session length and structure to match everyday schedules and goals.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
14+ years
Credentials
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address?
She helps with a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy issues, addictions, grief, parenting stress, and sleep difficulties.
What is her therapeutic style like?
She uses a warm, direct, and collaborative style that draws on client-centered, solution-focused, and narrative approaches. Sessions emphasize practical steps and clear goals.
How much clinical experience does she have?
Jennifer has 14 years of experience working in nonprofit and private settings, providing counseling, program development, and supervision since 2009.
What are her credentials and where is she located?
She is an IL LMFT - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist practicing in Illinois.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin therapy with her?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule based on the therapist's availability.