2nd Story Counseling
  • Home
  • Specialties
    • Anxiety Counseling
    • Depression Treatment
    • Grief and Loss Counseling
    • Trauma & PTSD Counseling
    • Anger Management
    • Men’s Counseling
    • Women’s Counseling
    • Career Counseling
    • College Students & Young Adults
    • Teen Counseling
    • Quarter-Life Crisis Therapy in Chicago
    • Highly Sensitive Persons
  • Types of Therapy
    • Evidence-Based Approaches
    • CBT
    • ACT
    • DBT
    • SFT
    • ERP
    • Internal Family Systems
    • Mindfulness Therapy
    • Relational Therapy
    • Positive Psychology
    • Family Counseling
    • Virtual Therapy
  • LGBTQ+
  • About
    • Contact
    • Team
    • Careers / Join Our Team
    • Fees
    • Blog
    • Assessments
    • Areas Served
  • Begin My Second Story

LGBTQ+

LGBTQ+ counseling, mental health, relationships, identity, and personal growth. Explore articles from the therapists at 2nd Story Counseling on topics affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning individuals in Chicago and beyond. Our LGBTQ+ blog covers anxiety, depression, relationships, coming out, self-acceptance, life transitions, mindfulness, and emotional wellness through an affirming and inclusive lens.

sexy gay man chicago modsomerfest andersonville
LGBTQ+

“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
LGBTQ+

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 […]
athletic "jock" walking down halsted street in Chicago
LGBTQ+

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
Anxiety and Stress

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 […]
straight man gay man in love gym jock
LGBTQ+

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
LGBTQ+

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
LGBTQ+

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
LGBTQ+

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 […]

Posts pagination

« 1 2 3 … 6 »

Need a LGBTQ Queer Therapist?

LGBT Therapist in Chicago

LGBTQ+ Focus

  • toxic workplace
    Body Shaming: Shame as a Sick and Twisted Game
    February 21, 2026
  • chicago gay hockey and sports
    From Heated Rivalry to Real Connection: Chicago’s Gay Sports Scene
    January 19, 2026
  • internalized homophobia in therapy
    Healing Internalized Stigma with LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy
    December 27, 2025
  • queer lgbt men going to CBT therapy in Chicago
    CBT for LGBTQ+ Identity and Anxiety in Chicago
    February 12, 2026
  • old gay troll pride parade chicago
    I Was Called an Old Troll at the Pride Parade!
    November 12, 2025
Therapy Specialties
  • Anxiety Therapy
  • Depression Treatment
  • Grief & Loss Counseling
  • Trauma & PTSD Counseling
  • Men’s Counseling
  • Women’s Counseling
  • Life Transitions Counseling
Specialized Care & Approaches
  • Gay Men’s Therapy
  • Quarter-Life Crisis Therapy in Chicago
  • College Students & Young Adults
  • CBT Therapy
  • Internal Family Systems (IFS)
  • Mindfulness Therapy
  • Evidence-Based Approaches
  • LGBTQ+
  • Team
  • Our Approach
  • Blog
  • Areas Served
  • Fees
  • Contact
  • Website Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Notice

Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved|2nd Story Counseling Chicago, PLLC|Privacy Notice and Disclaimers

error: Content is protected !!