Somatic therapy in San Luis Obispo
for anxiety, depression, stress, trauma
Somatic therapy in san luis obispo
If you’ve been feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or disconnected, talk therapy alone might not feel like enough. Somatic therapy offers a different approach—one that works with both your mind and your body. Somatic therapy helps adults reconnect with their bodies to heal emotional wounds, reduce anxiety, burnout, and stress, Enhance Relationships, and build resilience.
Here in San Luis Obispo, I offer compassionate, body-centered therapy for individuals who want to better understand their nervous system, process stress or trauma, and feel more grounded in their daily lives.
My somatic approach is individualized to each client’s unique background, relational style, and needs. I join many therapists in the belief that the relationship between client and therapist is the highest predictor of therapeutic success. I am compassionate, non-judgmental, solution-focused, and above all, curious to help my clients deepen their knowledge of themselves and their patterns.
I have a background and education in Somatic Psychology, which means I find information from the body to be highly useful in healing. This may look like regular talk therapy or include a focus on mindfulness, breath, movement, posture, sensation, and pain or tension. Somatic information 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. Through gathering all this information — thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and somatic insights — I encourage self-curiosity, self-compassion, and learning new skills.
What is Somatic Therapy?
Somatic therapy is a body-based approach to healing that focuses on the connection between your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations.
Instead of only talking about what’s happening, we also pay attention to what your body is holding—like tension, patterns of stress, or a sense of shutdown or overwhelm.
This work helps you:
Build awareness of your nervous system
Gently process stored stress or trauma
Feel more present, regulated, and connected
In sessions, whether online or in San Luis Obispo, we focus on the connection between your body sensations, emotions, and thoughts. Through gentle, mindful exploration and movement, you’ll build body awarness, learn to notice and release tension, develop self-awareness, and create healthier patterns of being. This dual-focus helps imprint new patterns into your nervous system.
In session this might look like:
shifting focus to sensations in your body
tensing/releasing muscles that activate when discussing an event or emotion
trying a new posture or gesture
learning regulation tools and grounding tools to reduce anxiety
breathing
mindfulness practices aimed to calm anxiety symptoms, gain insight
guided imagery to gain insight to triggers, memories, patterns, goals
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
If you are an adult feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, trauma, Relationship distress, or emotional disconnection, somatic therapy can help you tune into your body’s wisdom and restore balance. anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, and burnout can show up as symptoms in our body including muscle tension, headaches, skin issues, GI issues, chronic pain and more, by including these physical symptoms in our discussion, we can see how the whole body and mind have adapted to your challenge or circumstances. Whether you’re struggling with stress, burnout, relationship issues, or trauma, this approach supports deep, lasting healing.
How Somatic Therapy Helps with Anxiety, Stress, and Trauma
Many people come to somatic therapy because they feel stuck in patterns like:
Chronic anxiety or overthinking
Burnout or emotional exhaustion
Feeling on edge or easily overwhelmed
Difficulty relaxing or “turning off”
Past experiences that still feel activated
Somatic therapy helps regulate the nervous system so your body no longer feels like it has to stay in survival mode.
Over time, this can lead to:
Reduced anxiety
Greater emotional resilience
A deeper sense of safety in your body
Why Work with Rachel Quigley?
As a somatically trained therapist based on the central coast I specialize in working with adults using a compassionate, relational approach. Together, we’ll create a safe space where your body and mind are honored, and your healing can unfold naturally. I hold a casual environment where you can feel comfortable talking through your emotions and feeling the impact on your body.
Beyond the Somatic approach I incorporate elements of Parts work, CBT, trauma-informed practices, family systems theory, and solution-focused treatment to truly individualize the work to the client’s needs. (see more about individual therapy services here). I've been privileged to witness so much growth through the therapeutic relationship in multiple settings - including somatic clinic, school-based therapy, grief clinic, and community-based agencies.
Dedicating this time to yourself can be challenging and oh so nourishing.
FAQs About Somatic Therapy
What is somatic therapy in simple terms?
It’s a form of therapy that includes the body in the healing process, not just thoughts and emotions.
Is somatic therapy effective for anxiety?
Yes—many people find it especially helpful for anxiety because it works directly with the nervous system.
Do I have to focus on my body the whole time?
No. Sessions are balanced and guided by what feels comfortable for you.
Ready to Begin?
If you’re interested in somatic therapy in san luis obispo or want to learn more, please reach out for a free consultation. I’m here to support your journey toward greater well-being.