Nice to virtually meet you!
My name is Gianina. I’ve been in healthcare for 20 years, and during that time, I have racked up a massive number of continuing education hours plus a slew of degrees, licenses, and certifications. In short, either because I have way too many letters after my last name or my first name is a tongue-twister, most people just call me Dr. G.
“The doctor of the future will give no medication but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, diet and in the cause and prevention of disease”—Thomas A. Edison”
Education & Experience
- 20 years in healthcare
- Licensed and nationally board-certified Acupuncture Physician with a Bachelor’s in Health Science and a Master’s Degree in Oriental Medicine, specializing in Chinese Medical and Mental Health.
- Ph.D. in Clinical Christian Counseling with advanced certifications in temperament-based Marriage and Family Therapy.
- Registered Behavior Technician (Services completely separate from my private practice, per BACB)
- Achology-certified Life Coach, trained in advanced cognitive behavioral therapy and neurolinguistic programming.
- Continuing education in Psychology, The Science of Well Being, and Addiction at Yale University.
- Continuing education in Psychological First Aid and Major Depression and Public Health at Johns Hopkins University.
- Degree in Massage Therapy with a focus on Asian modalities
- B.F.A. from The School of Visual Arts with a double major in Advertising and Graphic Design.
I have four published books. Three are poetry collections about mental health, which you can find HERE, and my newest release, 7 Days to Less Anxiety Naturally, can be purchased HERE.
Ready to ditch the one-size-fits-all approach?
If you’re here, you’ve probably had some frustrations with western medical care.
Have you seen a commercial for a prescription drug on TV lately? Unless you’re living under a rock, you couldn’t miss one if you tried. People tell me “needles are scary”. I say anything with a list of side effects that take the better part of a 60-second commercial to name is scary. Acupuncture, not so much. We’re talking needles that are thinner than a cat’s whisker!
Modern medicine tends to approach the body like a machine made of divisible parts. Each part is treated by a different doctor with different medications. Symptoms, rather than root causes, are often simply managed. While modern medicine can be life-saving, sometimes it can fall short.*
Alternatively, eastern medicine sees the body as a garden. Everything is connected and the roots matter. We acknowledge that humans respond to our environment and every part of our lives affect our health. As holistic providers (the gardeners) we work to tend, not control, the garden (you) by nourishing, pruning, and working with, not against, the environment in which the garden exists.
I provide care that approaches you as a whole person—imagine that—with a unique, individualized treatment instead of a one-size-fits-all approach.
Call 850-364-4111 to schedule or for more information.
A short, personal story…
My life has been a long road of unexpected life and career changes.
I was told for years by my doctors to take a pill (and then take more), relax, get over it, exercise more, and go on vacation. They even told me my body wasn’t capable of having children.
My husband and I have two daughters. And that’s not all. Sure, I have a “miracle” story, but that miracle didn’t happen overnight.
So what happened? Well, I didn’t abandon Western medicine or go off a cliff chasing every far-flung remedy out there. Slowly and carefully incorporated a better diet, gentle exercise that fit my body, and consistent acupuncture and Chinese medicine into my life. The rest followed in time, including my daughters. I focused on balance and prevention. Insomnia disappeared. Migraines became rare. Old injuries gave way to less pain and better mobility. I quit smoking. (I know, I know.) My racing thoughts learned to sit down and rest once in a while.
That said, (reality check) I’m also human. When it comes to LIFE, one’s mind and body will ebb and flow. We all have good days and bad days. The truth is that mental and physical health struggles have touched my life in every way imaginable. I’ve witnessed triumph and tragedy.
Maybe you have, too.
But I’ve also seen faith and science working together to change hearts, minds, and lives, including my own. Good days stretch into weeks, months, and years, and bad days don’t darken your door as much as they used to. I was once empowered and transformed by this beautiful medicine. I even left a successful advertising career to begin again. I became fully devoted to sharing the help and healing I’d found with others.
That was 20 years ago. Today, I’m raising my “miracle” girls to become strong, healthy women. My family lets me “do my thing” for them now too. We are all healthier because of it. I learned self-care is not a luxury, and then I lived it!
- You have your own story, and I’d love to hear it. I’d be honored to work with you to turn the page and write the next chapter.
*Please remain under the care of a medical doctor. Your health is best served when western and eastern medicine play nicely in the sandbox together. Do not use acupuncture as a subsitute for following the orders of a medical doctor. Do not stop prescribed medication without talking to your doctor. Feel free to discuss your health goals with your doctor and we can work together to provide you the best health care options that are safe and effective for your specific needs. I work with MD’s all the time. They are often delighted that their patients are incorporating Acupuncture into their healthcare routine.