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, both from the University of Northern Colorado. At CU Denver, Lisa teaches counseling techniques, practicum, internship, 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 a clinical play therapy practice working therapeutically with children from 3 to 8 years old.
Lisa is the co-founder of a global faculty network called , 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 hosPlayposiums," which have highlighted play experts such as Stuart Brown, Gary Ware, Pat Kane, Alison James, Darryl Edwards, and more. Lisa has various publications on teaching, learning, and play, to name a few:
At CU Denver, Lisa is the Associate Director of ThinqStudio – a faculty-initiated, faculty-driven community of learners exploring the innovative and subversive possibilities of teaching and learning in higher education. Lisa also collaborates with the National Institute for Play, founded by play researcher Dr. Stuart Brown, where she contributes as one of the . Lisa loves all things play and finds joy in exploring what becomes possible when we step outside tradition and norms. At the heart of her work is a commitment to liberating both people and practices.