Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dr. Gianna Rielle Smith. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Dr. Gianna Rielle, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?
Starting my own practice was challenging on so many levels, but deep down, I think I always knew that’s where my career was headed.
On the surface, founding Auna Wellness meant diving into business research, learning from trial and error, and (for a brief, chaotic period) moonlighting as an interior designer and construction worker. It also meant riding the emotional rollercoaster simultaneously experiencing both stress and excitement, which is a real talent if you ask me. But more than anything, opening my own practice required a leap of faith.
In many ways, creating Auna Wellness felt less like a business decision and more like a spiritual initiation leading to exponential personal growth. I had to stare down my own inner blocks and self-limiting narratives, really sitting with and acknowledging those fear based little voices whispering, “You don’t have enough resources,” or “You’ll never stand out in such a saturated field.” I had to lean on my community for support which felt very vulnerable (and not easy for someone who prides themselves on independence). And hardest of all, I had to relinquish control and really step into and surrender to the unknown. It was really deep and difficult inner work. My only option was to keep moving toward my vision, one imperfect step at a time, and trust the process. Looking back, it was tough, but I see so much beauty in that journey.
I still remember the exact day I decided I was going to go for it. I remember thinking that I was finally in a place where I felt safe enough to take the next step in my career. The moment I committed to opening my practice, I felt an electric feeling of passion, clarity, and excitement. I gave myself a timeline of when I would officially launch, and my mind was buzzing with possibilities. And then…later that same day, I got into a car accident and totaled my car.
Talk about a cosmic plot twist, right? One moment I’m envisioning creating a space where clients could feel safe, supported, and truly heal, and the next I’m on the side of the road thinking, “Perfect. Now all the money and limited resources I was going to put into my dream has to go into replacing a car.” My excitement faded, and doubt crept in. I told myself maybe the timing wasn’t right after all and maybe I should just put the dream on pause.
But the more I processed the experience (and the whiplash wore off), the more I realized that timing is rarely wrong, and I started to see the situation as more of an opportunity and a test. It started to feel like a cosmic initiation, asking me “So… how badly do you really want this?” That was the moment I promised myself I wouldn’t quit. I pushed forward anyway, imperfect timing and all, and from that decision Auna Acupuncture + Wellness was born.
If I could give any advice to another professional considering opening their own practice, it would be this: just leap. There will never be a “perfect” time. The conditions will never be flawless. And you won’t always know exactly what you’re doing and that’s okay. Here’s a secret..none of us really know what we’re doing. We’re all just figuring it out as we go!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’m a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, Reiki practitioner, life coach, and the founder of Auna Acupuncture + Wellness. Auna Wellness is a holistic acupuncture practice in San Diego that specializes in Classical Five Element acupuncture, mental health, emotional healing, nervous system regulation, and spiritual well-being. I work with people navigating complex trauma, burnout, chronic stress, and emotional challenges such as anxiety and depression.
Five Element Acupuncture is the classical form of Chinese medicine, rooted in Taoist and shamanic healing. This unique modality goes beyond symptom relief by addressing the root of suffering by clearing stored emotional and energetic blockages, shifting unconscious ancestral or generational patterns, supporting deep regulation, and creating lasting inner transformation. By targeting the psyche, emotions, and spirit, this medicine guides clients through trauma processing, emotional healing, and deeper alignment with their authentic selves.
Alongside Five Element Acupuncture, Auna Wellness also offers Reiki energy healing, cosmetic acupuncture and facial rejuvenation, microneedling, glass fire cupping, and life coaching.
Looking back, I think I always knew I wanted to help people heal. As a child, I dreamed of being a doctor in some form. In high school, I discovered my passion for psychology and was fascinated by the inner workings of the mind, behavior, and emotion. That led me to study psychology and sociology at Penn State University with the plan of pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology after graduation.
While preparing for graduate school exams, I took a job at the front desk of an acupuncture clinic. That single decision completely shifted the course of my life. Every day, I witnessed the transformations people experienced through treatment. The more I observed, the more questions I asked, and the more I fell in love with acupuncture and Chinese medicine. For me, it was the bridge that connected emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being that stood out.
That calling was so strong that I moved from northern New Jersey to San Diego to pursue my doctorate in acupuncture and Chinese medicine. During my very first term, I discovered Five Element Acupuncture and one treatment that too impacted my life in a way words can barely capture. The shifts were so profound that not only I noticed them, but people around me did too. Five Element Acupuncture became my deepest passion, and I went on to study and apprentice with my mentor for years and am grateful to be able to offer this medicine to my clients.
Outside of the clinic, I love attending house music events and festivals, traveling the world, dancing ecstatically, and exploring nature. I’m also a true foodie so I’m always trying the newest restaurants in town or enjoying a warm cup of cacao at a local café. To stay grounded and aligned, I keep up with my own practices of meditation and yoga, living by the same holistic principles I share with my clients.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
A big lesson I had to unlearn was trusting my logical mind over my intuition. Growing up, tuning in to my inner compass wasn’t something that was nurtured. The message was clear: do what your parents say, because they know best. The “right” answer was whatever I was told, regardless of how I felt about it.
I think that disconnect is part of what drew me to emotional and spiritual wellness later on. Since it wasn’t something my family valued, the rebel in me felt a natural pull to explore it. But not having a strong relationship with my intuition in those early years also meant I often ignored the little signals inside me which landed me in some sticky situations.
However, over time that inner voice got louder and I started paying attention. And eventually, I started to trust that voice. I learned that while logic has its place, especially when it comes to planning or problem solving, intuition is what shows me the direction. Now I try to lead with that sense of inner knowing, and then let my logical mind handle the details afterward.
That shift has shaped my whole life. It was my intuition that pushed me to move across the country, pursue my doctorate, find my specialty, and eventually open Auna Wellness. Following that inner voice has not only guided my career, but it has also brought me countless blessings, lessons, opportunities, and the many incredible people I now get to call friends and clients.
Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?
Absolutely not! If I lived this life over and over again, I’m pretty sure I’d still end up right here. My passion for supporting people in their mental and spiritual wellness has always felt natural and was something that I was drawn to because of my own life experiences. So, assuming those stayed the same, I think my path would unfold in a very similar way.
When I discovered acupuncture, and especially Five Element acupuncture, it deeply resonated with me. It awakened something I think was always there and reminded me of the magic woven into the world. I’ve always felt drawn to ancestral forms of medicine, not because they were ever taught to me growing up, but because they felt innate, as if they were already a part of me. Looking back, I’m not at all surprised that this is where my journey led.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aunawellness.com
- Instagram: @drgiannarielle @aunawellness
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Auna-Acupuncture-Wellness-61576095028250/
- Other: Email: [email protected]
