The Woman Behind The Work

Meet Gabrielle

Founder of The Healing Plug LLC

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The Healing Plug was founded in 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana, with a simple intention: to make the tools, knowledge and community that support healing and personal growth more accessible.

I'm Gabrielle Renée Dejoie Smith, a Master of Social Work, wellness educator, Akashic Records Practitioner and Medium. My work lives at the intersection of psychology, spirituality and personal development, where I bring together evidence-informed practices and spiritual wisdom to help people better understand themselves, navigate life's challenges and reconnect with their own power.

There's a little personal meaning behind the name, too. Dejoie is my mother's maiden name, a name she passed down to me and that I have since passed down to my daughter. Rooted in our New Orleans Creole heritage, the French name translates to "of joy." It feels especially fitting that something so connected to my family and lineage would become part of a space dedicated to helping others find their way back to joy.

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My Background

My interest in human behavior, psychology and healing started early. I grew up with two clinical psychologist parents and knew from a young age that I wanted to help people better understand themselves and their experiences.

I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Southern California, where I also worked as a research assistant in the School of Education. I later returned to USC to earn my Master of Social Work with a concentration in Mental Health.

My professional experience includes therapeutic work with children, adolescents, transitional-aged youth and adults navigating domestic violence, substance use, mood disorders and eating disorders. I've worked in inpatient psychiatric and day treatment settings, supporting individuals with complex mental health needs under licensed clinical supervision.

Beyond formal education, my understanding of healing has been shaped by continued research, personal therapy, independent study and my own lived experiences.

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Why The Healing Plug Exists

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My journey into this work is both professional and deeply personal.

Losing my mother in 2018 and my father in 2022 profoundly changed the way I understood grief, healing, spirituality and my own relationship with life. Those experiences deepened my connection to my ancestors and sparked a desire to explore the ways our family histories, learned behaviors and inherited patterns can influence how we experience the world.

They also brought together two things I had spent years studying separately: the science of human behavior and the spiritual practices that help us find meaning, connection and direction.

That intersection is at the heart of The Healing Plug.

I believe we deserve access to tools that help us understand our emotions, recognize unhelpful patterns, strengthen our self-worth and make more intentional choices. We shouldn't have to wait until we're in crisis to learn how to care for our mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.

And while therapy can be an incredibly valuable resource, there are also everyday skills and practices that everyone deserves the opportunity to learn.

What I Believe

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I'm passionate about making wellness education accessible and helping people become active participants in their own growth.

I don't believe another person can do your healing for you. What I can do is create a supportive space, share knowledge, offer perspective and introduce you to tools that help you do that work for yourself.

Through The Healing Plug, I blend psychology, evidenced-based practices, mental health education, Tarot, the Akashic Records, mediumship and subtle energy practices. Whether we're exploring emotional patterns, connecting with spiritual guidance or learning practical techniques for self-regulation and self-reflection, the intention is always to strengthen your relationship with yourself.

I also believe that healing is particularly important in communities that have historically had fewer opportunities for accessible, culturally responsive support. The Healing Plug was born from a desire to create a space that centers Black and Brown women while remaining welcoming to anyone seeking greater self-understanding, empowerment and personal growth.

My Intention for You

I want you to leave an experience with The Healing Plug with more than just a good feeling. I want you to leave with something you can actually use.

A new perspective. A question worth exploring. A tool to help you navigate a difficult emotion. A deeper understanding of a pattern you've been repeating. A reminder of your own intuition, power, agency and ability to create change.

You don't have to have everything figured out. You don't have to be in crisis to seek support. And you certainly don't have to navigate every season of life alone.

My hope is that The Healing Plug gives you a little more knowledge, a little more support and a whole lot more confidence in your ability to show up for yourself.

Because the goal isn't to become someone else. It's to get to know yourself more deeply, trust yourself more fully and create a life that feels more aligned with who you are.

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Get unstuck. Know yourself. Trust yourself. Get plugged in. ✨

With soul much love,

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Gabrielle

Founder, The Healing Plug ​