Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabriella Rivera.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Hello, I’m Dr. Gabby! I have been an acupuncturist for the past 13 years and have worked in the integrative and functional medicine field for over 25 years. I absolutely love what I do! I am a lifelong learner and continue to grow and evolve in order to enrich my practice and provide the best care possible.
I moved to Savannah during the 2020 pandemic. Chicago had shut down, and I needed to keep working, so I decided to open my own acupuncture clinic for the first time. I had been working in busy multidisciplinary clinics for years and felt it was the right moment to venture out on my own. I wanted to offer holistic and functional medicine guidance—through food, lifestyle, and emotional support—during a challenging time, especially for those dealing with pain and anxiety.
Savannah has been wonderful to me. I’ve built my practice primarily through word of mouth, and I feel honored to support my community in my own small way. I am always learning and expanding my knowledge to bring more value to my clients. I like to listen closely to what my community needs and respond in the best way I can.
Recently, I’ve observed a growing need for mental health support and have incorporated Clinical Hypnotherapy into my practice. I now feel that my services are truly comprehensive: with acupuncture, functional medicine and holistic health consulting, and hypnotherapy, I can support clients in a deeply integrative way.
I am honored to meet everyone who comes through my door. I love sharing safe, scientifically backed, and highly effective healing modalities with my community. In a time marked by the opioid epidemic and the widespread side effects of pharmaceuticals, integrative medicine plays a vital role in supporting the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. Building a new practice from scratch, during a global pandemic was scary at first. I had to decide to stick with it and provide the best care I could to a small community of clients for a couple of years. People were scared to leave their homes for the most part and I did offer home visits to help with this for a time. Today, I’m so lucky to have a strong community of clients that support my work. They tell their friends and family about my clinic – and this is still the most common way people find me. Word of mouth has been key.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m an acupuncturist with over 13 years of experience and a background in integrative and functional medicine spanning more than 25 years. My work blends traditional Eastern healing modalities with modern, evidence-based approaches. I specialize in treating pain, anxiety, chronic stress, and supporting emotional and mental well-being. More recently, I’ve incorporated Clinical Hypnotherapy into my practice, allowing me to address mental health and subconscious healing in a deeper, more integrated way.
What I’m most proud of is the community-centered approach I’ve built into my work. When I opened my first clinic during the 2020 pandemic, I didn’t just want to offer treatments—I wanted to create a space of nourishment, safety, and resilience. I’ve built my practice organically through word of mouth and trust, and that means everything to me.
What sets me apart is my ability to meet people where they are. My care is not one-size-fits-all. I take time to truly listen and design care plans that reflect the whole person—physically, emotionally, and energetically. I draw from years of clinical practice, continued study, and a deep passion for traditional healing foods, herbal medicine, and somatic awareness. I also see healing as a community experience. My future vision includes creating a healing café—where food, conversation, and medicine come together in a safe, welcoming space.
Ultimately, I believe healing is not just about eliminating symptoms—it’s about reconnecting people to themselves, their bodies, and their community in a way that fosters long-term resilience and vitality.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I love books—truly! Just to name a few…
I’ve been a long-time student of Adlerian Psychology and continue to explore its teachings whenever I can. I find it incredibly insightful and grounding. Alongside that, I’m drawn to spiritual texts like As a Man Thinketh, the Tao Te Ching, and many others that challenge me to rethink life and deepen my spiritual understanding.
Personal growth is essential to me. I’m always evolving, always open to becoming a better version of myself. I’m also a devoted student of A Course in Miracles and deeply believe that love and forgiveness are the foundation of true happiness.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.frontporchacupuncture.com/ and https://sageworkshypnotherapy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frontporchacu/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriella-rivera-4a790747/
