Dr. Jennifer Harris-forbes

If you're struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, bipolar disorder, or substance use, finding the right support can make a meaningful difference. I'm a mental health counselor with 30 years of experience supporting adults through addiction, serious mental health challenges, and difficult life transitions. I hold both master's and doctoral degrees in counseling, and my experience spans residential treatment, community mental health programs, and correctional settings. I understand that your experiences, challenges, and goals are uniquely yours. I will help you to find a path forward that feels right for you. I provide therapy to adults in Wisconsin and Illinois, offering a warm, steady space where you can feel understood and begin working toward meaningful change.

I draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Positive Psychology to help you navigate life's challenges and work toward meaningful change.

CBT helps us explore how your thoughts and behaviors influence your emotions, identify patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and practice healthier ways of responding. DBT focuses on emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness, helping you manage overwhelming emotions and navigate relationships more effectively. Through Motivational Interviewing, we'll explore your own reasons for change and build confidence in taking steps toward your goals. Positive Psychology helps us recognize your strengths, build resilience, and identify what brings meaning and fulfillment to your life.

Your first session is a chance for us to meet, and there is no pressure to have the right words or to know where to begin. I will start by listening to what brought you in and what you hope will be different, and I will go at a pace that feels comfortable to you. I will ask about your history, your relationships, and what matters most to you, including your culture, values, and faith if they are important to you. I will explain confidentiality and its limits clearly, so you know exactly how your privacy is protected. We will talk about what you are hoping to get out of therapy and begin shaping goals together, tailored to your needs. You are welcome to ask me anything about how I work, and it is perfectly okay if you need time to decide whether we are a good fit. Reaching out takes courage, and my hope is that you leave feeling heard, respected, and a little more hopeful.