Faculty Directory

Forbes, Lisa

Lisa Forbes PhD, LPC, RPT

Associate Clinical Professor, Counseling Program
  • School of Education & Human Development

 

Lisa Forbes, Ph.D., is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Counseling Program at the University of Colorado Denver. Lisa earned her master’s degree in clinical counseling and her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision with an emphasis in Couples and Family Therapy, both from the University of Northern Colorado. At CU Denver, Lisa teaches counseling techniques, practicum, internship, group counseling, counseling children, adolescents, and their parents, and introduction to play therapy.

Lisa is also a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Registered Play Therapist (RPT) and has clinical experience working with abused children and adolescents, women and children at a domestic violence shelter, as well as adults, adolescents, and geriatric populations in inpatient psychiatric hospitals. Currently, Lisa has a small side play therapy practice working with children from 3 to 8 years old.

Lisa is the co-founder of a global faculty network called Professors at Play, which invites educators to explore the transformative and subversive power of play in higher education. Through community, resources, and events, Professors at Play looks to challenge existing norms of academia to allow learning to be more engaged, inclusive, meaningful, and transgressive. Professors at Play has hosted several events, including three "Playposiums," which have highlighted play experts such as Stuart Brown, Gary Ware, Pat Kane, Alison James, and more. Lisa has various publications on teaching, learning, and play, such as

At CU Denver, Lisa is the Associate Director of ThinqStudio – a faculty-initiated, faculty-driven community of learners exploring the possibilities of learning and teaching in Higher education. ThinqStudio supports faculty fellows and hosts several events focused on inclusive and innovative learning – for faculty as well as their students.

 

Areas of Expertise

  • Playful Pedagogy in Higher Education
  • Play in Adulthood
  • Play Therapy
  • Mental Health Counseling
  • Supervision of Counseling
  • Intensive Mothering Expectations, Cultural Norms, and Mental Health

Education, Licensure & Certifications

  • BS in Child and Adolescent Development
  • MA in Clinical Counseling
  • PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision
  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
  • Registered Play Therapist (RPT)

Resumes/CV:

Awards

Recipient - 2023 CU Denver School of Education and Human Development Excellence in Research and Creative Work Award Recipient - 2022 University of Colorado Denver Excellence in Teaching Award Recipient - 2021 CU Denver School of Education and Human Development Excellence in Teaching Award Nominated - 2020 Dean’s Master’s Student Mentoring Award

Affiliations

Founded “Professors at Play” faculty listserv and website/blog to engage in dialogue about play in higher education. https://professorsatplay.org/

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