Abigail Serafin, MSW, LSW, CYT

(she/her)

In-person therapy at Ravenswood location;
virtual therapy anywhere in Illinois

  • How I’d describe myself: patient, curious, thoughtful, and kind

  • I love to be creative through writing, painting, and graphic design

  • My favorite part of Chicago is the lake—in the summer, I walk there every day

  • In my free time, I can be found baking cakes for family and friends

  • I have been doing yoga for more than 10 years and I have completed a yoga teacher training

“To be human is to need others, and this is no flaw or weakness.”

—Dr. Sue Johnson

Hi! I’m Abigail, and I’m glad you’re here.

In our work together, I will listen empathetically and help you navigate the complexities of your unique situation. My goal is to create a safe and non-judgmental space where you feel comfortable showing up as your most authentic self.

I focus on building trust and connection so you can feel genuinely seen and supported as we explore the challenges you're facing and develop strategies to promote healing and growth.

Find Empowerment Through Cultivating New Skills

In our sessions, we'll set clear goals for long-term success using a blend of techniques including trauma-informed CBT, Feminist Relational Therapy, Harm Reduction, and Somatic Therapy, allowing you to find a place of exploration and healing within yourself.

Throughout whatever twists and turns your journey has in store, I will strive to understand you in the context of your environment, recognizing the myriad of systemic factors that might influence your mental health, including trauma and violence.

I especially enjoy working with both individuals and couples who are navigating challenges around identity, sexuality, and relationship issues.

Qualifications

  • Licensed Social Worker (LSW)

  • Master’s in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis, with specialization in Violence and Injury Prevention

  • Ongoing American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) Sexuality Educator Certification training

  • Trained facilitator of the Prepare/Enrich Premarital Assessment

  • Extensive experience working with gender, sexuality, trauma, relationships (both monogamous and non-monogamous), and issues faced specifically by LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples, including most recently at The Family Institute at Northwestern University

  • Certifications: 200 hour yoga teacher training, Trauma Focused CBT, Counseling on Access to Lethal Means, The Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale educational course, and training in EFT for lesbian couples

Work With Abigail:

Specialties & Clinical Interests

  • Anxiety & Depression

  • Codependency & Attachment-Centered Work

  • Domestic Abuse

  • Grief and Loss

  • Infertility Evaluations

  • Life Transitions

  • Mindfulness Skills

  • Neurodivergence and Executive Functioning Differences (including ADHD & Autism)

  • Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD)

  • Parenting & Work/Life Balance Issues

  • Polyamory/Non-Monogamy & Open Relationships

  • Pregnancy/Prenatal/Postpartum

  • Relationship Issues

  • Self Esteem

  • Sex Therapy

  • Sexual Abuse

  • Sexual orientation, gender identity, and kink identity development and exploration

  • Stress Management

  • Transgender Identity & Transition Support

  • Trauma & PTSD

Specialty Populations

  • Individuals (Adolescents 10+ and Adults)

  • Relationships (of all kinds)

  • LGBTQIA+ individuals, couples, and chosen families in need of a safe space, guidance, and support

  • Individuals seeking sex therapy

  • Folk working hard to heal their trauma and/or experiencing Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)

  • Parents who are separating or divorced and are interested in co-parenting counseling

Preferred Modalities

  • Antiracist & Intersectional Feminist Perspective

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

  • Feminist Relational Theory

  • Harm Reduction

  • Imago Relationship Therapy

  • Kink-, Sex- and Body-Positive Approach

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS)

  • LGBQ+ and TGNC Affirmative Practice

  • Mindfulness-Based Therapy

  • Person-Centered, Insight Oriented, and Strengths-Based Approach

  • Relational Psychotherapy

  • Somatic Therapy

  • Trauma-Informed Practice

  • Yoga Therapy

Discover the power of collaborative healing.