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LCSW

Eric Forster, LCSW

  • Experience20 years
  • LocationIllinois
  • Focus areasParenting, Career, and Coaching
  • Therapy approachesInternal Family Systems and Client-Centered Therapy
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About Eric

Eric Forster is an Illinois-licensed LCSW with two decades of experience helping people address a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, addiction, relationship and family issues, parenting challenges, career transitions, and compassion fatigue.

Background and approach

He brings particular familiarity with medical-system navigation, hospice and end-of-life counseling, caregiver stress, and chronic illness, and works with issues from sleeping and anger to self-esteem and bipolar management.

Rooted in a belief that each person holds expertise about their own life, Eric combines client-centered listening with practical, evidence-informed techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, and Internal Family Systems.

His approach balances respectful curiosity with goal-oriented strategies, and he supports clients in exploring strengths, clarifying values, and building skills to cope with life changes. Eric frames the first step toward greater well-being as an act of courage and aims to provide steady, supportive guidance through that process.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online care

Eric integrates Internal Family Systems and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy into online work in ways that people can readily apply to daily life. Internal Family Systems invites clients to notice and dialogue with different internal parts - for example protective or wounded parts - to reduce inner conflict and increase self-leadership; this can help with trauma responses, self-esteem, and relationship patterns. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and then practicing new skills to shift mood and functioning, which often benefits anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and stress.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapy journey, and Eric treats that as a collaborative exploration. He listens to each person's goals and preferences, then adapts methods and pacing so the work feels useful and manageable rather than prescriptive or one-size-fits-all.

Online formats allow the same clinical methods to be delivered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for busy schedules, limited mobility, or geographic constraints. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care, try different session rhythms, and practice skills between meetings while accessing support from a licensed professional in Illinois.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist address?
He supports people facing anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, addictions, relationship and family problems, parenting and career challenges, compassion fatigue, bipolar disorder, sleep problems, anger, self-esteem, and coping with life changes.
How would sessions typically feel or proceed?
The therapeutic style blends client-centered listening with practical techniques, helping clients explore their stories while developing skills and strategies to manage symptoms and pursue goals.
What background and experience does he bring?
He has 20 years of professional experience and significant work supporting medical-system navigation, caregiver stress, hospice and end-of-life work, and chronic illness alongside more common mental health concerns.
What credentials and location apply to this therapist?
He holds an LCSW credential and practices in Illinois; license details are IL LCSW 149013231.
Are sessions available in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English only, and he is not accepting international clients at this time.
In what formats can clients meet with him?
He offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and needs.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin working with him?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Parenting issuesCareer difficultiesCoachingCompassion fatigue

Also works with

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseSleeping disordersAnger managementSelf esteemBipolar disorderDepressionCoping with life changes

Additional focus areas

Aging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommunication problemsDomestic violenceEmptinessFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgivenessHIV / AIDSHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismPersonality disordersPrejudice and discriminationSelf-harmSocial anxiety and phobiaTraumatic brain injuryWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Motivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

20+ years

Licensed

Illinois

Languages

English