moving through gay shame and fear. Gay man in Chicago. Boystown Lakeview

Overcoming Gay Shame and Guilt in Chicago’s Boystown Therapeutic Guide

January 27, 2026 2SC Staff

Gay shame and gay guilt represent two of the most pervasive emotional challenges facing LGBTQ+ individuals in Chicago and beyond. While Boystown and Lakeview have long served as beacons of queer community and acceptance, even […]

chicago first responders ambulance with trauma

7 Ways Trauma Therapy Helps Chicago First Responders Heal from the Job

January 25, 2026 2SC Staff

💙 Quick Read: Chicago first responders experience workplace trauma that civilians rarely encounter. This guide explores seven evidence-based ways trauma therapy helps CPD officers, CFD firefighters, and paramedics process critical incidents, manage PTSD symptoms, […]

From Heated Rivalry to Real Connection: Chicago’s Gay Sports Scene

January 19, 2026 2SC Staff

If you’ve spent any time in Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community—particularly in Boystown or Andersonville—you’ve probably heard someone raving about Rachel Reid’s Heated Rivalry. The hockey romance novel has become something of a cultural phenomenon among gay […]

Identity work for LGBTQ+ individuals often involves untangling years of internalized messages—some supportive, many critical. For gay men and queer folks in Chicago’s Boystown neighborhood and beyond, the journey toward authentic self-expression can feel like […]

Counseling Chicago Blog

The Add One Thing Approach: Why Small Steps Beat New Year’s Resolutions

January 11, 2026 2SC Staff

By: Alexandra DeWoskin, LCSW I’ve tackled how to start the New Year in a couple of blogs throughout the years. In 2019, I reframed New Year’s Resolutions to New Year’s Goals. And in 2023, I […]

How Dating Apps Affect Gay Men’s Mental Health in Chicago

January 10, 2026 2SC Staff