2nd Story Counseling
655 W. Irving Park Rd #204, Chicago, IL 60613
Ph: 773.528.1777
At 2nd Story Counseling, we provide affirming, compassionate therapy for the LGBTQ+ community in Chicago. Whether you identify as queer, lesbian, bisexual, nonbinary, questioning, or anywhere under the rainbow, our LGBTQ-friendly therapists in Chicago create a safe space where you can be authentically yourself.
Our queer therapists understand the unique challenges facing LGBTQ+ individuals, from coming out anxiety and identity exploration to relationship issues and minority stress. We celebrate who you are and work alongside you to build resilience, self-acceptance, and joy.
Why Choose LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy?
LGBTQ+ affirming therapy goes beyond tolerance—it actively celebrates and validates your identity. Our Chicago LGBTQ+ therapists:
- Understand intersectionality and how multiple identities shape your experience
- Stay current on LGBTQ+ cultural competency and best practices
- Create judgment-free spaces where you don’t have to explain or justify yourself
- Advocate for your wellbeing within systems that may not be affirming
- Honor your chosen name, pronouns, and identity without question
Several of our therapists openly identify as LGBTQ+ themselves, bringing lived experience to the therapeutic relationship. All our counselors receive ongoing training in LGBTQ+ affirming care.
Specialized LGBTQ+ Therapy Services in Chicago
We offer comprehensive mental health support tailored to the LGBTQ+ community:
Transgender & Non-Binary Therapy
Our transgender affirming therapists in Chicago provide compassionate care for trans, non-binary, genderqueer, and gender-expansive individuals. We support you through:
- Gender identity exploration and questioning
- Social and medical transition support
- Gender dysphoria and body image concerns
- Coming out to family, friends, and workplaces
- Letters of support for hormone therapy or gender-affirming surgery
- Navigating systems and institutions as a trans person
- Building resilience against transphobia and discrimination
Lesbian Therapy & WLW Support
Our lesbian affirming therapists understand the specific experiences of women loving women, including:
- Coming out in different life stages
- Building healthy queer relationships
- Navigating lesbian dating and community dynamics
- Internalized homophobia and self-acceptance
- Balancing multiple marginalized identities
- Finding community and belonging
Bisexual & Pansexual Therapy
Bisexual and pansexual individuals often face unique challenges, including bi-erasure and feeling “not queer enough.” Our Chicago therapists provide:
- Validation of bisexual identity
- Support navigating relationships across the gender spectrum
- Processing biphobia from both straight and LGBTQ+ communities
- Identity exploration and self-acceptance
- Building confidence in your authentic self
Queer Relationship Counseling
LGBTQ+ relationships deserve culturally competent care. Our queer therapists offer couples counseling for:
- Communication and conflict resolution
- Navigating open relationships and non-monogamy
- Blending families and co-parenting
- Processing past relationship trauma
- Strengthening intimacy and connection
- Working through differences in outness
Coming Out Support
Coming out is a lifelong process with many chapters. Whether you’re coming out for the first time or the hundredth, our LGBTQ+ therapists support you through:
- Exploring your identity in a safe, affirming space
- Managing anxiety and fear around disclosure
- Developing coming out strategies
- Processing rejection or loss of relationships
- Celebrating your authentic self
- Deciding when, how, and to whom you come out
Common Concerns for LGBTQ+ Individuals
Our Chicago LGBTQ+ therapists frequently work with clients experiencing:
- Minority stress and discrimination trauma
- Internalized homophobia, transphobia, or biphobia
- Family rejection or estrangement
- Anxiety and depression related to identity
- Substance use and addiction in queer community
- Body image and eating disorders
- PTSD from hate crimes or violence
- Religious trauma and spiritual reconciliation
- Workplace discrimination and career challenges
- Isolation and loneliness
- Dating and relationship difficulties
Therapy Approaches for LGBTQ+ Mental Health
Our queer-affirming therapists use evidence-based approaches tailored to LGBTQ+ experiences:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anxiety, depression, and negative thought patterns
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness
- Trauma-Focused Therapy including EMDR and CPT for processing discrimination trauma
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) for healing internalized oppression
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for building valued living
- Relational Therapy for strengthening connections and attachment
Specialized Support For Gay and Bisexual Men
We also offer specialized therapy for gay and bisexual men addressing unique challenges including dating, relationships, body image, substance use, and coming out support.
For comprehensive information about therapy specifically tailored to gay men’s experiences, visit our dedicated Gay Men’s Therapy page.
Meet Our LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapists in Chicago
Our team includes therapists who identify across the LGBTQ+ spectrum and allies who are deeply committed to affirming care. We believe representation matters, and we’re proud to offer diverse perspectives and lived experiences.
All our Chicago therapists receive ongoing training in:
- LGBTQ+ cultural competency
- Trans-affirming care standards
- Intersectionality and multiple marginalized identities
- Grief and loss specific to LGBT community
- Current research on LGBTQ+ mental health
- Community resources and referral networks
LGBT Queer Therapist
A Safe Space for Every Part of You
At 2nd Story Counseling, you’ll never be asked to downplay or hide parts of yourself. We celebrate the full spectrum of LGBTQ+ identities and expressions. Whether you’re:
- Just beginning to explore your identity
- Decades into your queer journey
- Questioning and uncertain
- Confidently out and proud
- Navigating multiple identities
- Part of kink, leather, or other subcultures
…you belong here. Our Chicago LGBTQ+ therapists honor where you are in your journey and support you in becoming who you’re meant to be.
Beyond Lakeview: Serving Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Community
While our office is located in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood (near Boystown), we serve LGBTQ+ individuals throughout the Chicago area and remotely via telehealth. We’re accessible from:
- Andersonville
- Rogers Park
- Uptown
- Lincoln Park
- Logan Square
- Pilsen
- Hyde Park
- And throughout Chicago and Illinois via online therapy
Be sure to see the different communities we serve.
Insurance and Accessibility
We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO insurance and offer self-pay options with the ability to accept your organization’s HSA card. We believe cost shouldn’t be a barrier to affirming mental health care for LGBTQ+ individuals. If we are not able to accept your insurance, we are happy to offer you referral sources.
We offer both in-person sessions at our comfortable Lakeview office and secure telehealth appointments for flexibility and accessibility.
Start Your Journey with LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy
You deserve a therapist who sees you, celebrates you, and supports your authentic self. At 2nd Story Counseling, our queer and LGBTQ+ affirming therapists are here for you.
Whether you’re working through coming out, navigating relationships, healing from trauma, or simply seeking support from someone who gets it—we’re here.
Contact us today to schedule your first appointment with an LGBTQ+ affirming therapist in Chicago.
Phone: 773-528-1777
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About LGBTQ+ Therapy
Do you have therapists who identify as LGBTQ+?
Yes! Several members of our team openly identify as LGBTQ+, and all our therapists are committed to affirming, inclusive care. You can request a therapist with specific lived experiences when you contact us.
Will therapy be confidential if I’m not out yet?
Absolutely. Everything you share in therapy is confidential (with rare legal exceptions for safety concerns). We won’t out you to anyone, including insurance companies, family members, or anyone else. You control your story.
What if I’m still questioning my identity?
That’s perfectly okay! Many clients come to therapy while exploring their identity. We provide a non-judgmental space for you to process questions, try on different labels, and discover what feels authentic—without pressure or expectations.
Do you work with LGBTQ+ families and parents?
Yes! We support LGBTQ+ parents, families with LGBTQ+ children, chosen families, and those navigating family acceptance issues. We also offer family therapy to help families strengthen communication and understanding.
Every life has a second story. Let’s write yours together—authentically, proudly, and on your terms.
Queer Counseling Testimonials
“After years of searching for a queer-friendly therapist who truly understood my experience, I finally found 2nd Story Counseling. My therapist helped me work through anxiety and self-acceptance in a way that felt genuinely supportive. I never had to explain myself or worry about judgment – I could just show up as I am. The affirming care I received gave me the confidence to embrace my identity fully.”– Jordan K., Lakeview
“As a lesbian couple, we struggled to find a therapist who understood our relationship dynamics without making assumptions. Our couples counselor at 2nd Story Counseling created a safe space where we could work through our challenges with someone who truly ‘got it.’ The LGBTQ+ affirming approach made all the difference – we felt seen, validated, and supported. Our relationship is stronger than ever.”
– Sarah & Jamie, Lakeview
“Coming out in my 30s was terrifying, but my therapist at 2nd Story Counseling walked with me through every step. They helped me process internalized homophobia, navigate conversations with my family, and build confidence in my identity. The fact that my therapist is openly queer themselves meant I didn’t have to explain what it’s like – they already knew. I finally feel proud of who I am.”
– Marcus D., Chicago