LICENSED THERAPIST IN BOSTON, MA

ABIGAIL DURANT, LCSW (she/her)

ASSOCIATE, PSYCHOTHERAPIST

My name is Abi, and I am a Licensed Certified Social Worker. I work with adolescents and adults who are navigating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), anxiety, depression, and related challenges. I specialize in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold-standard treatment for OCD, and I’m passionate about helping people break out of fear-based cycles and reconnect with a life rooted in clarity, self-trust, and purpose.

I earned my Master’s in Social Work from Simmons University in Boston, where I developed a strong foundation in clinical training, trauma-informed care, and values-based practice.

When working with adolescents, I focus on creating a safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate space where young people feel both understood and empowered. I work to build trust not only with the client but also with their broader support system, while respecting the adolescent’s identity and autonomy. I help young clients externalize OCD and anxiety, build emotional language, and begin practicing brave behavior in the face of fear and uncertainty. My approach is collaborative, flexible, and rooted in the belief that adolescents are capable of meaningful growth when given the right tools and support.

With adults—including those in emerging adulthood, midlife, and later stages of life—I bring a direct, grounded, and relational approach to therapy. I support clients in navigating life transitions, examining long-held beliefs, exploring their values, and identifying meaningful goals. Whether you are stepping into independence, navigating career or family changes, or adjusting to shifts in identity and purpose later in life, I tailor therapy to meet your evolving needs and priorities. Together, we focus on building resilience, emotional flexibility, and a deeper alignment with the life you want to live.

I began specializing in OCD during my time at McLean Hospital’s OCD Institute, where I supported individuals confronting some of the most complex and persistent forms of OCD. That experience shaped how I show up as a therapist today: focused, collaborative, and grounded in evidence-based care. I also bring experience from a variety of clinical settings, including hospital-based social work at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and legal advocacy through the Committee for Public Counsel Services. Across all of these environments, I’ve worked extensively with clients who have experienced trauma, and I approach this work with sensitivity, attunement, and a trauma-informed lens that prioritizes safety, empowerment, and choice throughout the therapeutic process.

I have a particular interest in supporting individuals who identify within the LGBTQ+ community, and I practice from a queer-affirming, identity-informed lens. I understand the unique ways that OCD, anxiety, depression, and perfectionism can intersect with questions of identity, self-worth, and belonging. Whether you’re exploring your identity, managing the weight of social expectations, or seeking a space where you don’t have to explain or defend who you are, I aim to create a therapeutic relationship that is affirming, safe, and centered on your voice and your values.

These experiences have given me a deep appreciation for the courage it takes to enter therapy and explore parts of your life that may feel overwhelming, shameful, or stuck. I often work with clients managing intrusive thoughts, identity stress, major life transitions, high-functioning anxiety, and symptoms of depression. In addition to ERP, I integrate elements of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and mindfulness to help clients build insight, flexibility, and momentum toward the life they want.

What drives my work is the belief that everyone deserves to live a life that reflects their deepest values—not just a life free of distress, but one filled with meaning, authenticity, and choice. Therapy is not just about symptom relief; it’s about reconnecting with what matters most and building a life worth showing up for.

Outside of the therapy room, I live out my own value-driven life by spending time with myself—reading, crocheting, and puzzling—as well as staying connected with others. Lately, I’ve been embracing a new challenge and source of joy: playing rugby. Whether I’m on the field, with a client, or curled up with a book, I try to approach life with curiosity, courage, and care.