About Us
Why Second Lane?
The name comes from middle-distance running—but for us, it has become a metaphor for the moments in life when staying exactly where you are is no longer enough.
THE STORY BEHIND THE NAME
The second lane is where you go when you are ready to move.
On a track, a middle-distance runner spends most of the race in the first lane. It is the shortest way around. But there comes a moment when a runner decides that simply holding position is no longer enough. To move forward—to pass—the runner has to leave the familiar inside lane, step into the second lane, and commit to the move.
That image captures something we believe about therapy. Change often begins with recognizing that the place you have been occupying—an old pattern, relationship, belief, role, or way of coping—is no longer taking you where you want to go. Moving into the “second lane” can mean trying something different before you know exactly how it will turn out.
“Quenton Cassidy moved out to the second lane, the Lane of High Hopes...”
— John L. Parker Jr., Once a Runner
We especially like Parker’s phrase “The Lane of High Hopes.” To us, Second Lane is not about competition or outrunning anyone else. It is about hope, agency, courage, and the possibility that your life can move in a different direction.
MEET THE TEAM
The people behind Second Lane.
Finding the right therapist is personal. A strong connection can make all the difference. Get to know our clinicians, their backgrounds, and the perspectives they bring to their work.
Brian G. Hides, LPC
Founder & Licensed Professional Counselor
Brian is a second-career therapist who came to counseling after a career in finance and technology. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University and his master’s degree in Counseling from National Louis University.
His approach is compassionate, collaborative, and grounded in helping clients better understand themselves, navigate difficult transitions, and move toward more meaningful, authentic lives.
AP, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Brian is a second-career therapist who came to counseling after a career in finance and technology. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University and his master’s degree in Counseling from National Louis University.
His approach is compassionate, collaborative, and grounded in helping clients better understand themselves, navigate difficult transitions, and move toward more meaningful, authentic lives.
OUR APPROACH
Therapy is not a race.
There is no prescribed pace, no single finish line, and everyone’s path is their own. Our role is to create a thoughtful, supportive space where you can understand what has been keeping you in place, decide what matters to you, and identify ways of moving forward that feel authentic and sustainable.
Connection
A strong therapeutic relationship creates the safety needed for honest exploration and meaningful work.
Clarity
Understanding patterns, emotions, and choices can make difficult experiences feel more manageable and less confusing.
Agency
Therapy should help you build greater confidence in your ability to make choices that fit your values and goals.