Therapy & Counseling Near Boystown and Lakeview
Start Your Second Story with LGBTQ+ affirming, culturally responsive care near the heart of Lakeview.
Boystown, officially part of Lakeview East, has long been one of Chicago’s most visible LGBTQ+ neighborhoods. From Halsted Street (home to Sidetracks Bar) and Belmont to Broadway, Sheridan, Waveland, and the lakefront, the area carries a unique mix of pride, history, nightlife, community, and everyday residential life.
But living near a vibrant community does not mean life always feels easy. Many people come to therapy while navigating anxiety, relationship stress, family expectations, grief, loneliness, dating fatigue, body image concerns, workplace pressure, or the emotional weight of always seeming “fine” on the outside.
At 2nd Story Counseling, our Lakeview office is in the Boystown area and serves clients throughout 60613, 60657, and the surrounding North Side. We provide a calm, affirming space where you can talk honestly about who you are, what you are carrying, and what you want your next chapter to look like.
Every session with a 2nd Story therapist is LGBTQ+ affirming, culturally responsive, and aware of the lived realities of queer life near Halsted, Belmont, the neighborhood bars, the lakefront, and the legacy of places like the Belmont Rocks. Whether you are deeply connected to the community or simply looking for a therapist who understands its context, we meet you with respect, warmth, and clinical care.
We offer LGBTQ+ affirming therapy, individual counseling, relationship support, and other evidence-informed services both in person and through secure telehealth therapy.
Therapy Services for Boystown & Lakeview East
2nd Story Counseling offers therapy and psychological services for people living, working, dating, studying, and building community in and around Boystown, Lakeview East, and Chicago’s North Side.
| Therapy Service | How We Can Help |
|---|---|
| Individual Therapy | Support for anxiety, depression, grief, stress, self-criticism, identity questions, life transitions, and the private struggles you may not show on the outside. |
| LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy | Therapy that respects queer identity, chosen family, coming out, dating, relationships, community connection, and the unique pressures of living in and around Boystown. |
| Relational Therapy | Help with communication, conflict, trust, intimacy, friendship patterns, chosen family, dating stress, family dynamics, and relationship patterns that keep repeating. |
| Therapy for Gay & Bisexual Men | Support for body image, shame, dating fatigue, family stress, aging, friendships, sex, confidence, and the emotional complexity that can come with being “fine” on the outside. Learn more about our gay therapist Chicago services. |
| Young Adult Therapy | Counseling for college stress, social anxiety, identity development, family expectations, loneliness, digital pressure, and finding your footing in adulthood. |
| Psychological Testing | Adult psychological assessments for ADHD, learning concerns, diagnostic clarification, emotional functioning, and documentation needs when appropriate. |
| Evidence-Based Approaches | Depending on your needs, therapy may include CBT, ACT, mindfulness, EMDR-informed care, Internal Family Systems, relational therapy, and trauma-informed support. |
Every session with a 2nd Story therapist is queer affirming, culturally responsive, and aware of the lived realities of queer life near Halsted, Belmont, the neighborhood bars, the lakefront, and the legacy of places like the Belmont Rocks.
How To Get Here: Directions to Our Lakeview Office
Our office is located at 655 W Irving Park Rd, near the intersection of Lakeview and Uptown, and is easily accessible from Boystown, Lakeview East, Wrigleyville, Buena Park, Uptown, and the surrounding North Side.
By Public Transportation (CTA)
- CTA Red Line: Exit at the Sheridan stop. From there, the office is approximately a 7-10 minute walk.
- #80 Irving Park Bus: Stops directly in front of or across the street from our building.
- #36 Broadway and #151 Sheridan Buses: Both routes have stops within a short walking distance of the office.
By Car & Parking Information
- Location: Our office is on Irving Park Road, a major east-west street near Broadway, Sheridan, and Lake Shore Drive.
- Parking: Street parking is available nearby, but it can vary by time of day and may require metered payment or a City of Chicago residential permit. Please check posted signs carefully and give yourself extra time, especially for evening appointments.
Need Assistance?
Use the link below to get directions directly from your location, or call our office if you have any trouble finding us.
LGBTQ+ Affirming Care
Navigate identity exploration, coming out, relationship dynamics, and systemic minority stress in a deeply affirming, supportive environment. We offer a dedicated, professional sanctuary tailored to the lived experiences of the Boystown and North Halsted community.
CBT for Anxiety
Break free from persistent overthinking, generalized anxiety, and the internal pressure to perform flawlessly. Our structured Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps Lakeview East professionals identify negative thought patterns, manage stress, and quiet a racing mind.
Grief & Loss Support
Navigate the heavy, complex, and unpredictable waves of bereavement, sudden loss, or major life transitions. We provide a gentle, compassionate space to process your pain, honor your unique timeline, and help you slowly rebuild a sense of meaning.
Men's Counseling
Address the unique societal pressures, professional challenges, and emotional expectations modern men face. Gain actionable, practical tools to manage high-stakes career burnout, navigate relationship dynamics, and build emotional resilience.
College Students & Young Adults
Manage the unique academic stresses, social adjustments, identity challenges, and career decisions that come with young adulthood. Build a resilient mental health toolkit to navigate life transitions and establish long-term independence confidently.
IFS Therapy
Explore your inner world using Internal Family Systems. Safely identify and heal protective, wounded, or anxious "parts" of your personality to resolve deep-seated inner conflicts, reduce emotional distress, and foster long-term personal harmony.
🏳️🌈 Affirming LGBTQ+ Therapy in Boystown
Finding a therapist who truly understands your identity and experiences matters. Our Boystown practice specializes in queer and transgender affirming care, supporting you through coming out, relationship challenges, identity exploration, and navigating discrimination.
🏳️🌈Therapy Designed for Gay Men
Navigate the unique challenges gay men face—from dating and intimacy to body image, addiction recovery, and finding authentic connections. Work with therapists who understand your lived experience in Chicago’s gay community.
Specialized Modalities for the Boystown Lakeview Community
We are dedicated to providing evidence-based therapy that respects the complex identities and experiences of our clients.
| Service Focus | What We Offer | How We Help |
| LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy | Specialized focus on gender identity, sexual orientation, transition support, relationship structures (poly, open), and coming out processes. | LGBTQ+ Counseling Boystown Chicago |
| Individual Therapy | Treatment for anxiety, depression, stress, burnout, and life transitions unique to the urban environment. | Adult individual therapy near Boystown Lakeview |
| Trauma & PTSD | Advanced therapies including EMDR and Trauma-Focused CBT to address past trauma, including experiences of minority stress or discrimination. | Trauma therapist Boystown |
| Couples & Relationships | Helping Lakeview couples navigate communication, conflict, and creating fulfilling partnerships. | Couples counseling in Chicago 60613 |
| Advanced Modalities | We utilize DBT for managing intense emotions and ACT for developing psychological flexibility. | DBT therapist Lakeview |
A Safe, Non-Judgmental Space: Our Commitment to the North Side
- Our Expertise in Affirming Care: We understand that for many in the Boystown area, the need for a truly affirming therapist is non-negotiable. Our clinicians are actively trained in cultural responsiveness and the complexities of minority stress. We move beyond tolerance to genuine understanding, ensuring your concerns—whether related to your identity or simply everyday stress—are met with informed compassion.
- Integrative and Effective Treatment: We believe the most effective therapy is tailored. We draw from proven techniques like CBT, IFS, and Psychodynamic approaches to build a customized roadmap for you. This comprehensive approach ensures deep, lasting change, addressing the root causes of your challenges, not just the symptoms.
- Local Accessibility and Convenience: Our physical office location is strategically placed to serve the Boystown Lakeview area and surrounding zip codes. We are easily accessible via the Red Line (Sheridan stop) and major bus routes along Broadway and Halsted. For flexibility, we offer secure Telehealth options, making therapy accessible whether you’re at home in Lakeview East or working in the Loop.
Accessible Mental Health Care for Boystown & Lakeview East Whether you are walking over from the busy North Halsted corridor or looking for premium care close to the lakefront, our counseling services are designed to fit seamlessly into your life. While many of our clients take advantage of our secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform to avoid a commute entirely, our physical office locations are highly accessible. We are just a short trip away by rideshare, a quick bike ride, or a straightforward hop on the CTA Brown, Purple, or Red Lines to the Belmont station, making both mid-day and after-work face-to-face sessions completely effortless.
Ready to Begin? Connect with Our Boystown-Friendly Practice.
💳 Do you accept insurance or offer a sliding scale?
We are in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO and reserve a limited number of sliding-scale slots to ensure access to care for our neighbors in the Boystown and Lakeview area. Contact our care coordinator to learn what your plan covers and check current availability.
📅 What is the first step in scheduling a session?
You can schedule a free 15-minute consultation online or call us at 773-528-1777. Our care coordinator will match you with a therapist who specializes in your core concerns — whether that’s relationship anxiety, grief, identity exploration, or coming out — and who understands the nuances of life in the Lakeview and Boystown community.
💻 Can I see a therapist online?
Yes. We offer secure, HIPAA-compliant Telehealth video sessions for all clients in Illinois — convenient whether you’re in Boystown, commuting around the North Side, or simply prefer the privacy of meeting from home.
🌈 Do you have LGBTQ+ affirming therapists?
Yes — this is central to who we are. We have a number of queer-identifying and queer-aligned therapists at 2nd Story Counseling who provide affirming, knowledgeable care for the Boystown community. Our clinicians understand the specific experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals, including identity exploration, relationship dynamics, family acceptance, and the mental health impacts of discrimination. Learn more about our LGBTQ+ therapy services.
♂️ Do you offer specialized therapy for gay men?
Yes. Our gay men’s therapy services address the unique pressures gay men face — including navigating relationships, performance anxiety, the impact of discrimination, and questions around identity. Our therapists provide a judgment-free space grounded in genuine cultural competence, not just sensitivity training.
🧠 What therapy approaches do your Boystown-area therapists use?
Our clinicians use an integrative approach tailored to each client. We draw from CBT, Internal Family Systems (IFS), DBT, psychodynamic therapy, and trauma-focused modalities. The method is always matched to the person — your goals, your history, your strengths.
Meet Our Therapists Serving the Boystown Lakeview Community
We have a number of queer-identifying and queer-aligned therapists at 2nd Story Counseling. Visit our counselors and therapists page to learn more.
Don’t wait to start the next chapter. Contact 2nd Story Counseling today.
Boystown Therapy Location
Boystown Chicago Testimonials
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“A safe and affirming space for queer couples.” — Janelle & Priya, Lakeview East (LGBTQ+)
As a queer couple, we appreciated how affirming, open, and culturally aware our therapist was. We were able to talk through communication issues, stress, and the unique challenges we face without ever needing to “explain” ourselves. The support here truly reflects the diversity of Lakeview East.
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“Compassionate and professional.” — David F., Wrigleyville
After a tough year, I knew I needed to work with someone who understood the fast-paced, often stressful lifestyle many of us in the area juggle. The therapy felt grounded, practical, and never judgmental. I always walked away with something useful to apply during the week.