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The Grounded Therapist

The Grounded Therapist

Life Coaching & Therapy | Mindful, Empowered, Strong

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One-On-One Anxiety Therapy & Grounded Healing for Women in Connecticut

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Less Distress… ASAP

Maybe you’re feeling stuck.

You’re a working professional… You’re a motivated high achiever, and you’re almost definitely “the strong friend.” Maybe you’re already a mom, or you’re thinking about kids in the future.

You aren’t doing bad! But you wouldn’t say you’re doing great, either. And the moments of anxiety and overwhelm are coming just a little more often than you’d like.

It’s starting to feel like your anxiety, your negative thoughts, and your trusty, well-worn behavior patterns are getting in the way of that elusive thing called “your best life.”

You’re looking for a space to process your experiences and—most of all—learn to manage. Because you know a mental health challenge doesn’t have to define you… 

And you don’t plan to let it.

You’re Not Weird (I Promise)

If you told me that you..:

  • Often find yourself stuck in a cycle of anxiety and flat-out worry about the future;
  • Spiral into self-doubt on a regular basis;
  • Feel like you could be a contortionist with the amount of time you spend bending over backward to meet everyone else’s needs (while ignoring your own);
  • Have a serious fear of failure that often stops you from even taking the first step; or
  • Wish you could figure out how to set better boundaries and feel calmer and more centered…

…then I’d say, “Cool! You’ll fit in around here perfectly.”

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Hey! I’m Rachel, Connecticut’s Grounded Therapist.

I understand all of this because I’ve experienced it, too. So have most—if not all—of my clients. 

The anxiety really can start to feel insurmountable… But it isn’t. You aren’t weird or broken, and you can absolutely manage your mental health through anxiety therapy and thrive as the powerhouse human you are.

You just need the right tools in your toolbox. That’s what I’m here for.

So hey! I’m Rachel Dash-Dougherty, and I help women in Connecticut break through cycles of anxiety, shame, perfectionism, and fear of failure. 

We’re learning to embrace our inner strength over here, folks, realize our self-worth, and learn to stress less through science-backed strategies (and maybe a little shake 🧂of the woo-woo*, too).

*If you consider holistic tools and strategies like yoga, breathwork, mindfulness, and getting out into nature “woo-woo,” anyway.

Meet Rachel & the Grounded Therapist Team →

As seen in:

I Offer Anxiety Therapy for Women in Connecticut

Therapy for anxiety is an effective, evidence-based approach that can help free your energy up for the things you actually want to focus on. 

When we work together, I’ll help you develop the following skills and abilities:

🌳 Be able to take care of yourself without second-guessing your decisions or worrying that you’ll be perceived as selfish or difficult.

🌳 Get comfortable with saying “no” and ditching your people-pleasing ways.

🌳 Address the perfectionism and fear of failure adding all that extra stress and pressure to your everyday life.

🌳 Have less anxiety about the future and kick your procrastination tendencies to the curb.

🌳 Gain the emotional awareness and self-compassion that help you set the boundaries you need, cultivate better and less stressful relationships, and let go of the things (and people) that just aren’t serving you anymore.

In-Person or Online Therapy in Connecticut

If you are:

  • Ready to make changes, but not sure of the “how”...
  • Outwardly confident at work and/or home, but inwardly a little “yikes”...
  • Willing to face the tough stuff and stick with the process to see that progress…

Then we’ll do just fine!

I offer in-person or online anxiety therapy in East Lyme and throughout the state of Connecticut. 

Sound like a fit?

Fill out the form below, and let’s get started.



Gratitude From Clients

Rachel is unafraid to sit in the dark with you, but she also does not let you stay there.

I can say without hesitation that my time with Rachel as my therapist was profound, empowering, and groundbreaking . I came to her in crisis, virtually unable to see the forest for the trees some days, and through her unique combination of skilled clinical applications paired with warmth, quick wit and humor when appropriate, we together were able to begin to unravel some of the themes in my life that had, prior to my time with her, kept me stuck in a place of uncertainty. Rachel is unafraid to sit in the dark with you, but she also does not let you stay there. She is fiercely devoted to helping her clients realize their full power and potential. Her approach is current and vibrant and, yes, grounded. I can easily say that working with Rachel changed so many things in my life…for the better. If you are even slightly on the fence, just call. She’s amazing.

– Kris C


I have re-wired my business and personal relationships to a deeply serving equilibrium

Rachel is a skilled educator and a profoundly supportive guide. I couldn’t more highly recommend her classes, programs and courses to any who are seeking deeper levels of self-awareness, tools and practices to cultivate healthier lifestyle choices. She has encouraged me to learn so much about healthy boundary setting and with her as an example I have re-wired my business and personal relationships to a deeply serving equilibrium. Any who receive the privilege to work with Rachel will be so filled by her kindness, her wisdom and her depth of resources.

– Jessi Mendez


Rachel is grounding, inviting and authentic

Empowering and inventive are the words that come to mind when describing Rachel’s calming yet targeted yoga style. I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing both the “yoga and beer” version at Noble Jay Brewery as well as enjoying a private yoga class in appreciation for healthcare providers. Rachel is grounding, inviting and authentic as she caters to many levels of practice. Her eclectic style and bridging to mindfulness makes her classes a fun and unique experience.

– Heather S

Yoga flows, meditations, mindset techniques...and more!

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Taking A Good Look At Your Relationship With Food w/ Rachel Dash-Dougherty 

LISTEN IN

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That’s Not My Name:
My 4 tips for handling imposter syndrome!

WATCH NOW

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Yoga Flow
Quarantine Full Body Flow for Sanity!

WATCH NOW

More mindfulness resources

VIDEO BLOG
VIDEO BLOG
MEDIA
MEDIA

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groundedtherapist

Remembering to set boundaries with unhealthy famil Remembering to set boundaries with unhealthy family/friends. Be kind to yourself around food choices and don’t play the comparison game.

One of my fav designs by @jessieunicornmoore
We see it everyday at the ground therapy offices. We see it everyday at the ground therapy offices. It’s not just you.

Ready to get off the endless hamster wheel?
Instagram post 18082468690398329 Instagram post 18082468690398329
It’s ‘emotionally prep for the holidays’ tim It’s ‘emotionally prep for the holidays’ time again.

How do you cope with the stress?
It took a while but after a month of slow work, I It took a while but after a month of slow work, I finished the purse!! It will head to our first Halloween party tomorrow. 🎃
As a therapist who supports clients in times of gr As a therapist who supports clients in times of grief, loss and tragedy - I see the result of the pain we inflict upon each other. This is messy, painful and complex.  We are all grieving this violence together and possibly trying to heal together.

If you need support right now, text the
@mentalhealthcoalition 741-741 or call 988
Rachel is headed to a conference this weekend for Rachel is headed to a conference this weekend for the EMDR International Association. What is EMDR, you ask? 

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) refers to an interactive psychotherapy technique which aims to reduce symptoms of trauma by changing how memories are stored in your brain. 

Rachel is proud to be trained in this technique and excited to attend training opportunities like this to help further enhance the tools available in her work with clients!
Had to share this great explanation of #polyvagalt Had to share this great explanation of #polyvagaltheory from @thefeelingexpert 😩😫😖What is polyvagal theory of stress?

Basically, it’s how we store stress.  So how does it impact you? Poly means many and vagal refers to the vagus nerve. It is a key nerve to restore heath in our nervous system. 

The vagus nerve goes through your body, so the theory addresses how the body processes stress.

The Polyvagal Theory focus on these three neural circuits for regulation of the nervous system.
* Ventral Vagal: Social Engagement. This is when you are in a state of safety and connection.
* Sympathetic: Fight or Flight. This is when your body readies for action.
* Dorsal Vagal: Freeze. The body just shuts down in response to a perceived threat.

The fundamentals of Polyvagal, is that humans want the feeling of safety. Often the cues we are getting operate under our awareness of what triggers us into stress. Being able to identify the state of your own nervous system helps you to recognize where you are on the map and get back to connection and safety.
A tale of 2 mornings. First, I arrived to my offic A tale of 2 mornings. First, I arrived to my office to find my @serenitysaltsoaks waiting for me along with a happy spider plant. Then I look down to find (swipe) my coffee has leaked down the armpit  of my shirt.  Is there a better example of rolling with resistance and acceptance?
Let’s play bingo! How many rows of mindfulness Let’s play bingo!

How many rows of mindfulness activities can you fill this week? 

➡️⬅️⬆️⬇️↖️↙️↘️↗️
The Grounded Therapy team got to hang and throw/ch The Grounded Therapy team got to hang and throw/chuck/drop some axes @superchargedct The therapists who work here are incredible, talented, brilliant and hilarious.  Some us were even good at throwing an ax.  Now back to work!
🛑 Stop. 🛑 Notice what’s going on in your 🛑 Stop. 🛑 

Notice what’s going on in your body. 

Release tension and breathe. 🌬

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