Why I’m No Longer Just an Acupuncturist – Becoming a Facilitator of Change in Melbourne
- Dr. Karina Smith
- Apr 17
- 4 min read
Have you ever had a realisation so powerful it stopped you in your tracks… and made you see things differently?
Sometimes, one insight is all it takes to shift your entire path.
That happened to me recently.
And maybe, as you’re reading this, you're already noticing a part of you that’s been waiting for change, too.
If you’ve been following along on my journey, you may know that over the past two years, I’ve been diving deep into NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming)—a bit of a mouthful, right?
I won’t unpack all the intricacies of NLP here (we’d be here for hours!)—but what I will share is that this process has helped me uncover parts of myself that had been quietly shaping everything.
It’s helped me get crystal clear on why I do the work I do, and what I truly have to offer in this lifetime.
If we haven’t officially met, hi—I’m Dr Karina Smith.I’m an AHPRA-registered doctor of Chinese Medicine and I work with clients from my beautiful cosy home clinic in Newport, Melbourne.
I’m also a Yin Yoga teacher and teacher trainer, hosting yin yoga teacher trainings and nurturing yin yoga retreats both in Melbourne and overseas.
And even though I studied Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine for five years (after a few other degrees before that one!), it’s only recently that I truly understood what I’m really here for.
I’m not just an acupuncturist.
From Acupuncturist to Change-Maker
Yes—I love acupuncture deeply.
Since learning Classical Acupuncture with Ann Cecil-Sterman, that love continues to grow daily. But underneath the needles and the technique… is something else. Something older, deeper, truer.
What truly lights up my soul is witnessing people reconnect with themselves.
Watching them remember who they are… Feeling the moment when they step back onto their path with clarity and strength.
That’s the magic I live for.
That’s why I do this work.
Through this inner work, it became clear: I am a facilitator of change.
When you come into my clinic, or join a retreat, or step into a Yin training with me—you’re not just entering a room. You’re entering a space designed for transformation.
Whether I’m using Acupuncture, Yin Yoga, NLP, or intuitive guidance, my intention is always the same:
To hold space for deep change to occur.
Who I Work With
And the people who show up?
They're not always sure why they felt drawn to book in…But some part of them knew. And that’s where it begins.
So while many of my colleagues say they "treat fertility," or "musculoskeletal pain," or "mental health"—and those are valid, vital things…
My niche is different.
My niche is humans who are ready for change. People who may not even have the words for what’s going on—They just know, something isn’t aligned… and they’re ready to feel different.
It’s incredibly common in this industry for people to come see me after they’ve tried everything else.They’ve often seen a dozen practitioners, therapists, or doctors. They say: "I’ve tried everything. I guess I’ll try acupuncture."
What I often find is this: It’s not that they were "unfixable"—they just hadn’t been seen in their wholeness yet. And once they are… the change begins to unfold.
What I love about acupuncture—especially Classical Acupuncture—is that it doesn’t look at symptoms in isolation.
It reads the body’s own language:
The pulse. The tongue. The spirit. It tells us where you’ve drifted out of alignment—and how to gently bring you back.
What Happens When You Realign with Yourself?
Magic happens.
The kind of magic where:
Energy returns
Autoimmune flares calm down
Sleep improves
Libido awakens
Fertility realigns
Digestion smooths out…and a sense of inner clarity clicks back into place.
These things were never lost.
They were just waiting for the right conditions to return.
It’s as if a light switch turns back on.
And when I see that spark in someone’s eyes—when they re-enter their life with fresh energy and wonder—that’s the reason I get out of bed in the morning to do my job.
And here’s the interesting thing:
The people who experience the biggest shifts?
They're not always the ones with the longest list of symptoms.
They’re the ones who are open.
Willing.
Even just a little bit curious about what might be possible.
That’s all it takes.
Ready for Change?
So if something in you is whispering,
"If I’m honest… I know things could be different,"
Then maybe you’re already on the edge of change.
And when you’re ready—I’d be honoured to walk that path with you.
I see clients:
Online on Mondays (Melbourne Australia time)
In-person Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays (10:30am – 8:00pm)
Sessions are available—and your next chapter might begin with just one yes.
Or reach out if you'd like to connect first.
I already see the version of you that's emerging—and I can’t wait to meet them, too.
With love and presence,
Karina x
PS did you know you can leave me a comment on this blog?
I'd love to hear from you
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is a facilitator of change?
A facilitator of change is someone who helps guide you through personal transformation. Dr Karina Smith blends acupuncture, NLP, and Chinese Medicine to help you shift what no longer serves you and realign with your true path.
Do you offer sessions online or in person?
Yes. Karina offers online sessions on Mondays, and in-person appointments at her Newport Melbourne clinic Tuesday–Thursday.
Can acupuncture support emotional healing?
Absolutely. Classical Acupuncture is a powerful modality for emotional balance and nervous system regulation, especially when paired with NLP and deep intuitive space-holding.
What happens in a session with Karina?
Every session is tailored to what’s emerging for you—whether that’s physical, emotional, or energetic. Karina may use acupuncture, NLP techniques, and intuitive inquiry to help you shift into alignment and clarity.
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