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 […]

man looking reflectively at sky thinking about IFS for internalized homophobia

How IFS Therapy Addresses Internalized Homophobia

April 22, 2026 2SC Staff

Internalized homophobia—the unconscious absorption of negative societal messages about LGBTQ+ identity—creates an internal conflict that can persist long after someone comes out. Even in progressive cities like Chicago, gay men often carry critical inner voices […]

athletic "jock" walking down halsted street in Chicago

What Being Called a “Jock” Means In Gay-Speak

April 13, 2026 2SC Staff

Hot Jock and Gay Labels As a therapist who works with gay men in Chicago, I spend a lot of time thinking about language. Not just what we say in therapy rooms, but the words […]

resident of edgewater chicago with anxiety looking at city skyline

Do You Have Edgewater-Related Anxiety?

April 7, 2026 2SC Staff

Edgewater and Anxiety: A Closer Look There’s a particular kind of exhaustion that comes with living in a neighborhood as alive as Edgewater. Between the hum of Broadway, the crowd at the Berwyn Red Line […]

Why Gay Men Sometimes Fall For Straight Guys: A Therapist’s Perspective

April 1, 2026 2SC Staff

Working as a gay therapist in Chicago’s diverse Lakeview and Boystown neighborhoods, I’ve sat with countless gay men who’ve found themselves emotionally invested in straight guys. It’s a pattern I see regularly in my practice […]

LGBTQ+ Trauma Counseling man traumitized

Does Trauma Therapy Help LGBTQ+ People Heal?

April 1, 2026 2SC Staff

Trauma has a way of making you feel like you’re the problem. For LGBTQ+ people in Chicago — from Boystown and Andersonville to Avondale and Pilsen — that feeling is usually the result of years […]

Two people holding hands representing authentic connection in therapy

Building Authentic Relationships: LGBTQ+ Affirming Counseling in Chicago

March 25, 2026 2SC Staff

For many LGBTQ+ individuals in Chicago, the journey toward authentic connection can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re navigating the complexities of dating in Boystown, rebuilding relationships after coming out, or simply seeking deeper emotional intimacy, the […]

gay man in chicago reflecting on IFS parts therapy at 2nd Story Counseling

The Power of Parts Work: How IFS Therapy Transforms Gay Men’s Mental Health

March 9, 2026 2SC Staff

As a gay man navigating life in Chicago, you might notice different versions of yourself showing up in different situations. There’s the confident professional you are at work, the careful observer you become when meeting […]