Jennifer Forbes , LMFT

Jennifer Forbes is the founder of Seed of Hope Counseling Services and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with 14 years of clinical experience. She combines formal training and hands-on practice to support individuals, couples, and families through difficult transitions, and she credits her faith and professional opportunities for guiding her work. Jennifer has counseled hundreds of people across a range of concerns and finds meaning in helping clients move toward greater stability and connection.

Her career spans both nonprofit and private sectors, where she has provided counseling, consulting, supervision, and leadership to teams, clinicians, and organizations. Jennifer has designed and evaluated community programs addressing crisis response, trauma care, and clinical services, and she has participated on clinical committees for the Illinois Health Practice Alliance, the Behavioral Health Consortium, and the Westside Community Triage and Wellness Center. She is also a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT).

Jennifer earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s in Applied Family and Child Studies with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northern Illinois University. As an LMFT - a licensed professional trained to work with couples, families, and individuals - she uses evidence-informed approaches to address relationship challenges, trauma and abuse, LGBT issues, intimacy concerns, anxiety and depression, grief, addictions, parenting and family dynamics, stress and coping, career and self-esteem issues, sleep problems, compassion fatigue, and related areas. Her practice emphasizes collaboration, practical strategies, and compassionate support.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Jennifer Forbes

Jennifer blends client-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy to meet clients where they are and to provide practical tools for change. Client-centered therapy focuses on empathy, active listening, and supporting a person’s own goals - it is useful for building self-esteem, improving relationships, and processing life transitions. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps identify and shift unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors and is often applied to anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and stress management. Jennifer also uses motivational interviewing to help clients explore ambivalence and strengthen their motivation for change, which can be helpful for addictions, lifestyle changes, and goal-oriented work.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Jennifer works collaboratively with each client to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adjusts techniques as progress unfolds. This collaborative stance helps tailor care to individual circumstances rather than relying on a single method.

Online therapy with licensed professionals offers flexibility in how care is delivered - through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier for people to access support from home or work, fit sessions into busy schedules, and maintain continuity of care when in-person meetings are not possible. Jennifer uses these modalities to provide consistent therapeutic support while aligning with each client’s practical needs.