gay man in Chicago reflecting on his inner world through IFS therapy at 2nd Story Counseling

Understanding Your Inner System: IFS Therapy for Gay Men in Chicago

May 27, 2026 2SC Staff

Picture this: you’re getting ready for a first date with someone you actually like. And in the span of about ten minutes, you experience something like this — excitement, then dread, then a voice telling […]

gay man with validation addiction thinking of therapy at 2nd Story Counseling

What Is Validation Dysphoria in Gay Men?

May 25, 2026 2SC Staff

You got three compliments tonight and still went home feeling empty. Someone called you hot on Grindr and you screenshot it, showed a friend, then opened the app again twenty minutes later. Your Instagram post […]

smiling man after positive psychology therapy 2nd Story Counseling Chicago

How Positive Psychology Helps To Rewire Your Brain

May 23, 2026 2SC Staff

Most of us grew up hearing some version of the idea that our personalities are fixed — that we’re either optimists or pessimists, worriers or easy-going, and there’s not much we can do about it. […]

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“I Was Called a Sexy ‘Wolf'” at Andersonville Midsommarfest

May 20, 2026 2SC Staff

Marcus came into session last week still buzzing with an energy I hadn’t seen in months. “You’re not going to believe what happened at Midsommarfest,” he said, settling into his usual spot on the couch […]

man reflecting on his attachment in relationships after therapy at 2nd Story Counseling chicago

Healing Attachment Wounds: Relational Therapy Approaches

May 1, 2026 2SC Staff

Attachment wounds—the emotional injuries that develop when early caregiving relationships fail to provide safety, attunement, or consistency—shape how we connect with others throughout our lives. These wounds don’t simply fade with time or willpower. They […]