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Eric Forster
Experience
20 years
Based in
Illinois
Sessions
Online
Languages
English

Therapist · Illinois

Eric Forster

LCSW

Experienced Illinois LCSW offering practical support

Continue with Eric

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License and NPI on record

LCSW
Illinois · 149013231
NPI
1013245729

As listed on the therapist's profile. A license can be checked with the state board, and an NPI with the national NPI registry.

  • 20 years experience
  • Practical goal setting
  • Medical system knowledge

About Eric

Eric Forster is an Illinois licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with 20 years of professional experience. He helps people facing anxiety, depression, relationship strain, parenting challenges, career transitions, addictions, and trauma. He also supports those dealing with compassion fatigue, sleep trouble, low self-esteem, and bipolar disorder. Eric frames the first session as a check-in to understand what matters most to each person.

Eric’s approach is collaborative and respectful. He starts from the view that clients are the experts in their own lives. Sessions focus on small, clear steps that people can try between meetings. He mixes conversational listening with practical tools to reduce stress and manage strong emotions.

He brings experience helping people navigate medical systems and caregiving stress. That background informs work with clients who face chronic illness, cancer, hospice matters, or the challenges of aging. He also addresses complicated family dynamics, communication problems, and fatherhood issues.

Eric uses several therapeutic methods to match the needs of each person. These include client-centered therapy that focuses on personal goals, cognitive behavioral ideas to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, motivational interviewing to boost readiness for change, and narrative and psychodynamic ideas to look at life patterns. He explains these options plainly and helps clients pick what fits.

Therapy with Eric is straightforward and task-focused. People can expect a calm, practical tone and help setting realistic goals. To begin, he asks about immediate concerns and then builds a plan that fits day-to-day life.

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

Credentials

Illinois

Languages

English

How Eric Uses Therapy Approaches Online

Client-centered therapy focuses on the person’s goals and priorities. It means the therapist listens closely and follows what the client wants to work on, which suits issues like parenting stress, caregiving strain, or career decisions.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, breaks down unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and teaches practical skills. It is often used for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and anger by giving short exercises and strategies to practice between sessions.

Motivational interviewing helps people move through ambivalence and find motivation to change. It is useful when someone is thinking about quitting a behavior, starting treatment, or making a major life change.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss goals, try methods, and adjust based on what feels most useful. That collaborative process helps tailor sessions to the client’s needs and preferences.

Confirm current session options before booking so you know what formats are offered. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy day, shorten check-ins when needed, and avoid travel for appointments. It can also allow a therapist to follow progress consistently when people are managing long-term medical or caregiving needs.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Eric commonly address?

He works with anxiety, depression, trauma, addictions, stress, parenting and career challenges, plus compassion fatigue and sleep problems.

How would you describe his therapeutic style?

He takes a collaborative, down-to-earth approach that treats clients as experts in their lives and focuses on small, practical steps.

What is his clinical background?

He holds an Illinois LCSW and brings 20 years of professional experience, including work helping people navigate medical systems and caregiving stress.

Where is he licensed and based?

He is licensed as an LCSW in Illinois and practices with that credential in that state.

Which languages are sessions offered in?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can international clients work with him?

He is not accepting international clients at this time.

How are fees and payment structured?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

What is the first step to begin therapy?

Use the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session according to therapist availability.

Before you get in touch

Therapists listed here offer talking therapy online. A profile is not a diagnosis of you or of anyone in your life, and no therapist can promise how a relationship will turn out.

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