Our Training and Faculty AffiliationsOur Chicago psychotherapists have received training at, or hold faculty appointments with, world-renowned institutions.
Why Choose 2nd Story Counseling
Years
20 Years in Chicago
Serving Chicago’s North Side since 2005 — one of the city’s most experienced therapy practices
Therapists
Specialist Therapists
Psychologists, social workers and counselors specializing in anxiety, trauma, LGBTQ+ care and more
Affirming
LGBTQ+ Affirming Practice
Located in Lakeview/Boystown with therapists who openly identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual and queer
Telehealth
In Person & Telehealth
Meet at our Lakeview office or via secure virtual therapy sessions available across Illinois
Client Stories
Healing Journeys
★★★★★
“Thank you Dr. Greg for helping me with my panic attacks. I never thought I could find a way to cope with the anxiety – but you showed me techniques that made it possible!”
— Mike, Lincoln Park
Anxiety & Panic Treatment
★★★★★
“I needed the best therapist in Chicago to help me with my ADHD. Working with Nadia was a gift from above – truly. I feel more focused and genuinely happy in my life.”
— Sandra, Uptown
ADHD & Focus Treatment
★★★★★
“My work stress was causing real problems in my marriage. Alexandra helped me better manage my stress and develop healthy coping strategies. She was the best therapist I’ve ever worked with.”
— Anthony, Wrigleyville
Stress & Relationship Therapy
About 2nd Story
We Help People Grow
Searching for therapists in Chicago? Do you live in Lakeview, Uptown, Andersonville, the Gold Coast or a North Side community? Are you looking to get counseling for anxiety, depression, life transitions, or stress? Trying to find an interactive psychotherapist? If so, you have come to the right place.
2nd Story Counseling is a group of psychotherapists in Chicago offering solution focused therapy to adults, children and teens. At 2SC, we help people grow. Our counselors want to hear your unique story. We also specialize in relational therapy for individuals working on relationship patterns and attachment.
For nearly 20 years, Second Story Counseling has been providing therapy to people in Chicago. Ready to start your second story? See our 7 Reasons Why Clients Choose Us.
Our Chicago psychotherapists can help you with a wide array of mental health challenges, including:
We Can Help With
Inclusive Therapy
Chicago Counseling Services
Specialized Care for Every Journey
If you are ready to feel more empowered and restored, our Chicago psychologists, counselors and social workers are here to guide you. We help adults, teenagers, couples, families and the queer community. Our aim is to provide a safe oasis where all parties are supported and honored.
Individual Therapy
If you are looking for counseling from the best psychotherapists in Chicago, you have landed at the right place. Greater happiness, joy, and positivity are possible. Your trusted Chicago psychotherapist can help you explore your feelings, change unhealthy thoughts and move in tandem with you to create lasting change.
Psychological & Neurological Testing
2nd Story Counseling provides comprehensive adult ADHD, neuropsychological, psychoeducational, and diagnostic clarification evaluations in Chicago. Our tailored psychological testing uncovers the clear insights you need to better understand your mind, overcome daily challenges, and unlock personal growth.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Working through anxiety, depression, trauma and other mental health challenges often lead to unhealthy thoughts or behaviors that are unwanted. Your Chicago CBT therapist can help you to create change in your thinking and encourage balance.
Trauma Therapist
Trauma therapy and counseling is available from our Chicago therapists. We use a variety of approaches including EMDR, CPT, CBT, and Internal Family Systems (IFS). PTSD therapy available from our Lakeview counselors in person or online.
Grief Counseling
If you are struggling with deep feelings of loss after the death of a loved one or a divorce/breakup, our caring Chicago psychotherapists want to help. Counseling can help you process your feelings and arrive at a lighter place. In person and online grief counseling available.
LGBTQ+ Queer Counseling
Our Chicago therapists offer LGBTQ+ Queer Affirming counseling in a warm, gentle and safe environment. Several of our counselors openly identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual and queer. Experience therapy where you don’t have to edit yourself. Celebrate all of you.
Men’s Therapy
Men’s counseling services are available at 2nd Story Counseling Chicago. Our men’s therapists take a results oriented, coaching approach to help you reach important life goals. Our Chicago psychotherapists want to help.
Women’s Counseling
Counseling and therapy for women is available at 2nd Story Counseling. Our psychologists, social workers, and counselors are women’s advocates and can help you to thrive through the challenges you are facing.
College Students & Young Adults
College students and young adults face unique pressures around school, work, identity, relationships, independence, and the future. Our Chicago therapists help young adults manage anxiety, stress, life transitions, and personal growth with compassionate, practical support.
ACT Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is designed to help you reach goals, stay accountable and live by your personal values. ACT can change your life! Many of our Chicago therapists are trained in ACT.
DBT Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is designed to help you gain distance from your emotions and create emotional regulation. Learn new and healthy ways of coping with anger, sadness, rage, and anxiety.
Exposure Therapy
Exposure therapy is a scientifically proven treatment for phobias, fears, worrisome triggers and the onset of panic. It can help you feel less fearful and is useful for people with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
Gay Men’s Therapy
Our Chicago therapists offer specialized counseling for gay men. With lived experience in the LGBT community and training in the unique challenges gay men face—we help you overcome obstacles and live more empowered.
Life Transition Therapy
Life transition therapy is designed to help you move through major life changes. Examples include job changes, a sudden loss, aging, ending a relationship or moving to a new place. Counseling for life transitions.
IFS Therapy
Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy is all about getting to know the different parts of yourself. Better understand the root causes of internal conflict and heal aspects of yourself that need nurturing. IFS is often combined with trauma therapy.
Healing From the Inside Out — Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy in Chicago
Many of our clients have tried therapy before and felt like something was missing. At 2nd Story Counseling, we specialize in Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy — an approach that goes beyond managing symptoms to heal the root causes underneath them.
IFS helps you understand the different “parts” of yourself — the inner critic, the protector, the wounded child — and build compassion for each one. It’s transformative work, and clients often tell us they’ve made more progress here than anywhere else.
Our Lakeview therapists are trained in IFS and use it alongside CBT and EMDR to create a truly personalized path to healing.
Our Values
Celebrating Your Cultural, Sexual & Gender Diversity
At 2nd Story Counseling, we offer everyone personalized, interactive and respective therapy. We do not judge but instead, celebrate and encourage who you are as a person. Our Chicago therapists strive to encourage, empower, and motivate clients to live the happy lives they are meant to live.
We invite people of all ages, races, gender identities, spiritual, sexual orientations, economic and cultural backgrounds.
Every life has a second story and you should live the life you deserve. Connect with one of our Chicago psychotherapists online or at our comfortable Lakeview office location.
Understanding Your Mind — Psychological & Neurological Assessments in Chicago
Not sure what’s really going on? At 2nd Story Counseling, we offer comprehensive psychological and neuropsychological assessments for adults in Chicago who want real answers, not more guessing.
Our evaluations help diagnose ADHD, learning disabilities, and other cognitive or emotional challenges — giving you and your care team objective data to build a targeted, effective treatment plan.
Testing is available at our Lakeview office, near the Red Line Sheridan stop. Our assessment team works with adults across the Chicagoland area.
Psychotherapy Testimonials
What Our Chicago Clients Say
★★★★★
“Finding a therapist who truly understood the experience of being a gay man in Chicago changed everything for me. I finally feel seen and understood. My anxiety has decreased significantly and I feel more confident in my relationships.”
— James T., Boystown
Gay Men’s Therapy & Anxiety
★★★★★
“After years of carrying trauma I never talked about, IFS therapy at 2nd Story gave me the tools to finally heal. My therapist was patient, warm, and deeply skilled. I feel lighter, more present, and more myself.”
— Maria S., Andersonville
IFS Therapy & Trauma
★★★★★
“I was skeptical about therapy but my counselor at 2nd Story made me feel at ease immediately. The CBT techniques I learned helped me break cycles of negative thinking that had held me back for years. Best decision I ever made.”
— David R., Roscoe Village
CBT & Depression Treatment
Ready to start your second story?
Where You’ve Seen Our Chicago Therapists
Our Chicago psychotherapists have been featured in mass digital media publications and global television programs.
Find Us
Chicago Lakeview Therapy Offices
2nd Story Counseling has the best therapists in Chicago, with specialists trained to help you with anxiety, depression, ADD or psychological testing. Our Chicago counselors and psychotherapists are available online or at our Lakeview Counseling offices in Chicago. Our counselors are paneled with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO. Contact us today for the best psychotherapist experience in Chicago.
Chicago, IL 60613
Phone: 773-528-1777Our Chicago psychotherapy and counseling offices are located in the Lakeview community. The main office is one block west of Lakeshore Drive at the corner of Irving Park Road and Pinegrove Avenue.Many of our clients come to us on CTA, taking the Red Line from the downtown Business District, Gold Coast, Lincoln Park and West Loop. The closest CTA train station is the Red Line Sheridan Stop.There is plenty of street parking available on most days of the week, with the exception of Cubs games because Wrigley Field is only a few blocks away.CTA bus routes to our location include the 151 Sheridan and the 146, 148 Express. Your Chicago counselor may be able to see you remotely, depending on your needs.
Communities We Reach
In-Person & Telehealth Therapy Across Chicago
Our Lakeview office serves as the home base for in-person therapy, while our licensed Chicago therapists provide secure telehealth services throughout Chicago’s North Side. Whether you’re located in Lincoln Park, Uptown, Edgewater, Avondale, or Wrigleyville, compassionate and experienced care is within reach.
Lakeview
In-Person Care
This is where it all started — our flagship office near the Red Line Sheridan stop, just blocks from Wrigley Field. Sit down face-to-face with a therapist you’ll get to know by name, whether you’re working through something specific or just figuring out your next chapter.
Lincoln Park
North Side Therapy
Busy professionals and young families in Lincoln Park meet with our therapists by secure video, no commute required. Real support for the everyday weight of work, relationships, and the pace of city life.
Uptown
LGBTQ+ Affirming
Uptown clients connect with therapists who understand the neighborhood’s history and its people, including several who openly identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or queer. Affirming care, no editing yourself required.
Edgewater
Life Transitions
A new job, a move, a relationship ending, a season of life closing out — Edgewater clients often come to us mid-change. Our therapists help you find steady ground while you figure out what’s next, all from home.
Avondale
Practical, Solution-Focused Care
Avondale clients tend to want results, not just a place to vent. Our therapists take a grounded, goal-oriented approach to the stuff that’s actually getting in your way, delivered through a secure virtual session.
Wrigleyville
Stress & Relationships
Between game days, roommates, and the general noise of the neighborhood, Wrigleyville residents have their own particular brand of stress. We help you sort through relationship friction and day-to-day overwhelm, one video session at a time.