Rachel Carlton Abrams, MD, MHS, ABoIM graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Stanford University, received her Medical Degree at the University of California San Francisco and a Masters Degree in Holistic Health and Medical Sciences from the University of California Berkeley. She is Board Certified in Family Medicine and Integrative Medicine. She is a former board member of the American Holistic Medical Association from 2013-2015 and is a current board member of the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine (AIHM.org).
She has been voted “Best Doctor” in Santa Cruz County by two local publications, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022.
She practiced as a conventional family practice physician for seven years, prior to establishing an integrative medicine practice that allows her to focus on preventive and comprehensive care in more depth. At Santa Cruz Integrative Medicine, Dr. Abrams spends more time with her patients exploring the important connections between health and vitality, relationships, lifestyle choices, work and environment. During the initial one-hour visit, she will explore your health history and any current health concerns. For all medical concerns she will discuss potential avenues for treatment from both conventional and holistic medicine, from lifestyle change to herbal and supplement therapy to prescription medication. Her goal is always to assist you in healing from within, and to limit the number of supplements or medications that you need to take as much as is possible—while maintaining your optimal health. As a physician, her services are often reimbursed by medical insurance.
For more information on Dr. Rachel’s speaking and publications, please check out www.doctorrachel.com.Dr. Rachel published Bodywise: Discovering your body’s intelligence for lifelong health and healing ( in January 2017). She and her husband Doug have also written two books with John and Julie Gottman: The Man’s Guide to Women and Eight Dates: Essential Conversations for a Lifetime of Love.
She has published two books on Taoism, holistic health and sexuality, The Multi-Orgasmic Woman and The Multi-Orgasmic Couple. She also has a Sounds True Audio production with Lee Holden: Taoist Sexual Secrets: Harness Your Qi Energy for Ecstasy, Vitality and Transformation (http://www.soundstrue.com/shop/Taoist-Sexual-Secrets/2164.pd) She believes that a healthy sexuality reflects a healthy life force, and that addressing sexual issues is vital to restoring us to our full power and creativity. She has trained with Mantak Chia, a Taoist Master, and is a certified Healing Love instructor in the Universal Tao system.
Rachel loves the ocean and the redwoods and spends as much time as possible in each. She is an avid (some might say obsessed…) beach volleyball player and enjoys cycling, running, paddle boarding, playing volleyball, and loves to travel and cook. Most importantly, she is happily married to the love of her life and is the mother of three fabulous young adults, who return to their home in Santa Cruz, California when they need to be fed and sleep in, and who always keep life interesting.
Watch Rachel’s TED video:
To access more interviews, podcasts and talks with Doctor Rachel, go to