Somatic Therapy
Incorporating information from the nervous system
Somatic therapy
Somatic therapy is a body-centered approach that helps you better understand your nervous system, process stress and trauma, and feel more grounded in daily life.
Rather than focusing only on thoughts, we'll also pay attention to what your body is communicating—creating opportunities for deeper, more lasting change.
Anxiety, burnout, trauma, and chronic stress often show up physically through tension, headaches, digestive issues, fatigue, or feeling constantly "on." Somatic information (such as body tension, nervous system activation, movement patterns) is a tool to further understand our way of being in the world, how we’ve come to be the way we are, and how we may seek change if desired.
What is Somatic Therapy?
Somatic therapy is a body-based approach that explores the connection between thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and the nervous system.
Instead of only talking about what's happening, we also notice how your experiences are reflected in your body—whether through tension, breathing, posture, or patterns of activation and shutdown.
Over time this work can help you:
Feel more grounded and present
Better understand your nervous system
Reduce anxiety and overwhelm
Process stress and trauma
Strengthen your connection with yourself
Traditional talk therapy helps us understand our experiences.
Somatic therapy includes the body in that process.
Together, insight and nervous system awareness create opportunities for change that isn't only intellectual—it becomes something you can actually feel.
In session this might look like:
Noticing physical sensations
Exploring breathing patterns
Trying gentle movement or posture changes
Learning grounding skills
Mindfulness practices
Guided imagery
Who is somatic therapy for?
Folks experiencing distress from:
Anxiety or chronic stress
Burnout or overwhelm
Trauma or past experiences
Feeling disconnected from your body
Somatic therapy can be especially helpful if you tend to understand your challenges intellectually but still feel stuck in the same emotional or physical patterns.
Why Work with Rachel Quigley for somatic therapy?
My graduate training was specifically in Somatic Counseling Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies, where I spent three years immersed in body-centered approaches to healing.
Before opening my private practice, I worked in a somatic psychotherapy clinic, grief clinic, schools, and community mental health settings, supporting adults and families through anxiety, trauma, grief, and life transitions.
Today, I integrate somatic therapy with relational therapy, parts work, CBT, and other trauma-informed approaches to create therapy that's individualized to each person.
My goal is simple: to create a space where you feel safe enough to better understand yourself and begin making meaningful change.
Frequently Asked Questions ABOUT SOMATIC PSYCHOLOGY
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It’s a form of therapy that includes the body in the healing process, not just thoughts and emotions.
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Yes—many people find it especially helpful for anxiety because it works directly with the nervous system. Somatic techniques are very well suited to support calming anxiety, gaining insights into triggers and tangible tools to regulate.
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No - Sessions are balanced and guided by what feels comfortable for you. Somatic information is always present, and I often track both your and my own somatic cues to support my understanding of you, however this could be done without overt or explicit discussion of the body.
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I have a master’s degree specifically in Somatic Counseling Psychology. Additionally, I have a background in dance and yoga, which help inform my awareness of mind/body connection, anatomy and movement patterns.
Let’s Connect
If this feels like it could be supportive, you’re welcome to reach out.
The next step is a free consultation call where we can talk about what’s bringing you in and see if working together feels like a good fit.
If I’m not the right fit, I’ll provide some referrals. No pressure, just a conversation!