Jennifer Forbes, LMFT

Jennifer Forbes is the founder of Seed of Hope Counseling Services and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - LMFT. She brings a compassionate, faith-informed commitment to clinical work and credits her training and opportunities as shaping a career devoted to supporting individuals, couples, and families through difficult transitions. Over her 14 years of practice she has provided direct counseling as well as consulting, supervision, and leadership across nonprofit and private settings, helping people navigate trauma, relationship strain, grief, addiction, and other life challenges.

Jennifer has designed and evaluated community programs for crisis and trauma response and has collaborated with agencies to introduce innovative therapeutic initiatives. Her clinical leadership has included participation on committees such as the Illinois Health Practice Alliance, the Behavioral Health Consortium, and the Westside Community Triage and Wellness Center. She is a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapist (AAMFT).

Jennifer 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 from Northern Illinois University. As an LMFT, she integrates evidence-based methods with a client-centered, strengths-focused approach and welcomes clients facing relationship issues, trauma and abuse, anxiety, depression, parenting challenges, and many other concerns. Prospective clients are invited to request an appointment to begin exploring care.

Therapeutic Approaches Adapted for Online Care

Jennifer Forbes draws from client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and motivational interviewing when working with clients online. Client-centered therapy focuses on building a respectful, nonjudgmental relationship where the client’s perspective guides the work - it is helpful for improving self-esteem, navigating life changes, and strengthening relationships. CBT helps identify and modify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors through practical exercises and is often used for anxiety, depression, stress, and sleep concerns. Motivational interviewing is a collaborative, goal-oriented approach that helps people explore ambivalence and strengthen motivation to change, which can be useful for substance use, behavioral changes, and commitment issues.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Jennifer works collaboratively with each client to assess needs, preferences, and goals and will tailor methods to fit the person and the presenting concern. Over time she adjusts techniques to ensure the approach remains effective and aligned with the client’s priorities.

Online therapy offers flexibility to meet clients where they are. Sessions can take place by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, making it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, manage caregiving or work responsibilities, and maintain continuity of care during transitions. Licensed professionals can adapt their methods to each format so that meaningful progress can be made without requiring in-person visits.