Eric Forster, LCSW

Illinois | Online sessions in Illinois | English | Book with Eric »

Practical support for stress and life transitions

Details

Name	Eric Forster
Credentials	LCSW
Based in	Illinois
Licensed in	Illinois
Session format	Online
Languages	English
Years in practice	20

About Eric

Eric Forster is a licensed clinical social worker with 20 years of experience helping people through stress, anxiety, depression, and big life changes. He works with concerns like parenting, career and coaching, compassion fatigue, addictions, and relationship or family problems. Eric approaches clients with respect and patience and focuses on each person's strengths.

He believes people are the experts in their own stories and helps them notice patterns that no longer serve them.

Background and approach

Sessions often look like guided conversation where the therapist listens closely and asks questions that help reshape the story a person tells about their life. This can make steps forward feel clearer and more manageable. Eric uses a mix of approaches to match what a person needs.

Narrative therapy helps unpack how problems are described, while client-centered methods prioritize what the client wants from sessions. Cognitive behavioral ideas are used when changing thoughts and behaviors can ease symptoms like anxiety or sleeplessness. His background includes work supporting people through medical systems and end-of-life concerns, as well as caregiver stress and chronic illness.

That experience informs practical support for people juggling health issues alongside family or work responsibilities. Eric aims to make the first step feel doable. He offers a calm, steady presence and helps people build small, realistic changes that fit their lives.

The focus is on clear goals and finding tools that actually work day to day.

What this therapist works with

His listing names Parenting issues, Career difficulties, Coaching among the things Eric works with, alongside the areas below.

Approaches listed

Narrative Therapy: Named in his listing among his approaches.
Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Eric among the ways he works.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Eric among the ways he works.
Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Eric among the ways he works.
Psychodynamic Therapy: Listed by Eric among the ways he works.
Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Eric among the ways he works.
Internal Family Systems: Listed by Eric among the ways he works.
Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Eric directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.

Narrative Therapy in this listing

Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how he works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.

If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Eric directly how he uses it and what a session usually looks like.

Online session options

How narrative and practical approaches work online

Eric commonly uses Narrative Therapy to help people rethink the stories they tell about problems and relationships, making it easier to spot new possibilities and choices. Narrative methods can be helpful for issues like family patterns, identity, grief, and coping with major life events. He also draws on Client-Centered Therapy, which focuses on listening closely and following the client's priorities to shape sessions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, used selectively, helps identify and change unhelpful thoughts or routines that keep anxiety, depression, or sleep problems going. Finding the right approach is part of the work. He talks with each person about goals and preferences, then adjusts methods together rather than following a fixed plan. That collaborative process helps ensure the work fits the client's life and pace. Online sessions offer flexibility across video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video works well for deeper conversation and reading visual cues, phone calls can fit a short break during a busy day, live chat helps with brief check-ins, and messaging supports ongoing reflection between sessions. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent while juggling work, family, and health needs.

Common questions about this listing

What concerns does Eric commonly address?

He helps people with parenting, career challenges, compassion fatigue, stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, sleep problems, anger, self-esteem, bipolar disorder, and coping with life changes.

How would you describe his therapeutic style?

Sessions emphasize listening, collaboration, and helping people reframe their stories. He blends narrative ideas with client-centered and cognitive behavioral techniques to meet practical needs.

What is his professional background?

He has 20 years of professional work experience and has supported people navigating the medical system, caregiver stress, hospice and end-of-life issues, and chronic illness.

What credential and region does he practice in?

He holds an LCSW, licensed in Illinois, and practices with that credential within the state.

Which languages are sessions offered in?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can people outside the United States work with him?

International clients are not currently accepted; he works with clients in Illinois.

What session formats are available online?

He offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to provide a range of ways to meet regularly.

How are fees and getting started handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability and uses a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Contacting this therapist

Sessions with Eric are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Eric where he has space. Ask about fees, and whether he holds a licence or registration where you live.

Book with Eric »

Or see other therapists in Illinois »

This is a partner link. We will earn a commission if you sign up through it, at no cost to you. It does not change what you pay or the order of the listings.