Heather T. Forbes, LCSW, is the co-founder of the Beyond Consequences Institute, LLC.  Ms. Forbes has been training in the field of trauma and attachment with nationally recognized, first-generation attachment therapists since 1999.

Heather is an internationally published author, with her most recent book, co-authored with Dr. Bryan Post, LCSW, titled, Beyond Consequences, Logic, and Control: A Love-based Approach for Helping Children With Severe Behaviors. This book, endorsed by Sir Richard Bowlby, son of the late John Bowlby (considered to be the father of attachment theory), has helped families work through severe behaviors. This book has equipped parents, through its easy to read format with practical solutions, to de-escalate the most chaotic of situations. Testimonials from parents continue to demonstrate the dramatic change families have made in just a few short weeks after reading this book.

As a clinical therapist, Heather’s work has focused on helping families find healing by creating environments of unconditional love, free from fear-based parenting techniques. She typically works with families who “have tried everything but gotten nowhere.” With the parenting paradigm described in Beyond Consequences, Logic, and Control, these families have seen amazing results in turning their families back around through her guidance, teaching, and support.

Heather is a nationally recognized speaker. She trains professionals in the field of child welfare, mental health professionals, and parents raising children with severe behaviors. Heather delivers a message that is life-changing with a lecture style that is emotionally impactful, dynamic, and captivating. Foster care agencies and child welfare agencies around the country have seen the value of utilizing Heather as a trainer for their staff and families.

Heather’s research and interest in the area of adoptive mothers has been a powerful asset in the adoption field.  Her passion is to help adoptive mothers who are struggling with their children, to understand their situations and their family dynamics.  Her most notable study, Issues Facing Adoptive Mothers of Children With Special Needs, was published in the Journal of Social Work and has been a valuable tool for adoptive families worldwide.

Heather also works with families both nationally and internationally through phone coaching. Through phone coaching, Heather empowers parents in their own homes to be effective, regulated, and loving parents. Her client base includes parents from the United States to the United Kingdom. Much of her experience and insight on understanding trauma, disruptive behaviors, and adoption related issues has come from her direct mothering experience of her two adopted children. Heather lives in Orlando, Florida with her husband, Matthew, and their two children.

1. CANGRANDS NATIONAL KINSHIP SUPPORT www.cangrands.com
2. The Bancroft Bridge Community Church  
3. Teddy Bear Bed & Breakfast
4. St. Michaels Hospital