Pacifica Counseling & Psychiatry

04/08/2026

We’re proud to highlight our Atlanta-based clinical psychologist, Dr. Desiree Frain, Psy.D., whose recent article was selected for a special topic feature on Psychology Today!

Her piece explores an often-overlooked truth: therapists, too, carry emotional weight. Caring for the caregiver is essential to ethical, effective care.
At Pacifica, we value clinicians who not only show up deeply for others—but also contribute meaningfully to the field.

👏 Congratulations, Dr. Frain. We’re honored to have your voice representing this work.

04/03/2026

🌿 Meet Our Psychiatrist: Dr. Hamid Shirazi, DO

We’re honored to officially welcome Dr. Hamid Shirazi to the Pacifica Counseling & Psychiatry team. He has been with us for a few weeks now and is already such a valuable addition to the Pacifica team!

Dr. Shirazi is a physician currently completing his psychiatric training at the Piedmont Macon Psychiatry Residency Program, where he provides comprehensive outpatient care for adult patients. His work reflects a strong commitment to evidence-based, patient-centered treatment, grounded in both clinical depth and genuine compassion.

He brings a particular passion for working with individuals navigating treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, sleep concerns, and addiction, while also exploring the often-overlooked connection between the endocrine system and mental health. His approach is thoughtful and forward-thinking, integrating emerging research with practical, individualized care.

What truly sets Dr. Shirazi apart is his belief in holistic, collaborative treatment. He values working closely alongside therapists and care teams to ensure care is not only effective—but also deeply attuned to the whole person.

✨ A few things to know about Dr. Shirazi:
* He trained at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) and Georgia Tech
* He has a strong interest in interventional psychiatry and innovative treatment approaches
* He prioritizes care that is thorough, collaborative, and tailored to each individual

At Pacifica, we deeply value interdisciplinary care—and we’re grateful for the steadiness, curiosity, and clinical excellence Dr. Shirazi brings to our team.

📍 Currently seeing patients in Macon, with plans to expand into Atlanta
�📩 Now accepting new clients

03/31/2026

There’s a version of you

who needed this space long before you ever found it.
Maybe today

you get to show up for them. 🌊

03/31/2026

Happy National Doctor Day! 🩺❤️

At Pacifica, we are deeply grateful for the physicians who serve within our practice. From thoughtful medication management to the often unseen clinical insight and collaboration that supports our team, their presence strengthens the care we provide in meaningful ways.

Pacifica truly thrives because of our interdisciplinary model, where medical and clinical perspectives come together to support the whole person. Our physicians play an essential role in this

What stands out most is not only their expertise, but their heart, a consistent commitment to patient care, dignity, and healing.

We are honored to walk alongside you in this work. Thank you for the care you offer, both seen and unseen. 🌿

03/27/2026

What does peace mean to you? 🌊

At Pacifica, peace isn’t just a word, it’s something we practice, pursue, and return to.

Join us as some of our team shares what peace looks like in their own lives.

03/20/2026

Happy Match Day 🤍
Today marks a powerful milestone in the lives of so many future physicians—years of dedication, sacrifice, and calling coming together in one moment that will shape the future of medicine and the care of countless lives.
At Pacifica, we deeply value education, mentorship, and the development of those stepping into healing professions. It is a privilege to work alongside and learn from so many incredible medical doctors in our interdisciplinary community.
Today also holds special meaning for us as we celebrate the one-year anniversary of Match Day for our Clinical Director—a full-circle reminder of the journey, the growth, and the impact that begins with a “yes” to this calling.
We honor where you started, where you are, and where you are going.
The future of medicine is in good hands. 🌎✨

03/18/2026

Inner child healing 101: slow down ❤️‍🩹

even us therapists get it wrong sometimes. it is not about perfection, it’s about showing up. be thoughtful on your presence, your energy, & focus. especially with parenting, it can and will reveal parts of you that are shocking.

one attachment researcher once said that if you wanted to stop believing the fallacy that you’re a good person, have a child. this is a quote I love to share and laugh about with my fellow parents that I work with. not because being a parent means it brings out our worst side. but because it can bring out our most vulnerable side. stay healthy, take time for yourself and for your healing as you navigate parenting. know you’re not alone and remember when in doubt, lean in.

03/18/2026

Spring teased us here in Rochester this week—sunshine, park days, and just enough warmth to feel like we turned a corner. And then… snow.

Round' here, they call it a “false spring.”

But as we've been reflecting (both personally and clinically), we wonder, what if it’s not a false start, but a false alarm? A moment that invites us to practice coping, presence, and acceptance before the next season fully arrives.

For many of us, especially those navigating seasonal depression, trauma, or emotional ups and downs, these shifts can feel discouraging. But they can also be opportunities to lean into skills like “willing hands” from DBT: accepting the moment as it is, not as we wish it to be.

There is meaning even here. Especially here.

What if ‘false springs’ aren’t setbacks, but practice rounds? Moments that prepare us—not just for harsher seasons—but for living more fully. With willing hands, we can accept the present, even when it’s cold and uncertain, and shift toward a life worth living—grounded, aware, and open...

03/14/2026

False spring is a real thing here in Rochester. 🌤️

One day the sun is out, the snow starts melting, and it feels like winter might finally be over… and then suddenly it’s cold again.

Our emotions can feel a lot like that too.
Sometimes we have moments where we feel energized, hopeful, and steady. And then other days—or even hours later—we feel heavy, tired, or discouraged again.
That doesn’t mean something is wrong with you.

It means you’re human.

Mental health isn’t a straight line upward. It often looks more like seasons… or in Minnesota’s case, false springs. 🌱❄️

Moments of relief don’t mean the struggle was fake.
Moments of struggle don’t erase the progress you’ve made.
Both can exist at the same time.

Give yourself permission to experience the shifts without assuming you’re “back at square one.” Growth often happens quietly in the in-between seasons.

03/06/2026

🎥 New Video from Pacifica Counseling & Psychiatry!

What helps children develop resilience, motivation, and confidence?

In this short video, Dr. Hanna Cespedes reviews The Self-Driven Child and discusses an important idea in child development: kids thrive when they feel a sense of control over their own lives.
As pressure around grades, performance, and achievement continues to rise, understanding how autonomy impacts mental health has never been more important.

Watch the full review here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTWMlaWwbmY&t=6s

In this video I review The Self-Driven Child by William Stixrud and Ned Johnson. As a licensed therapist, professor, and parent, I explore the book’s central...

03/02/2026

Are we completely unique… or more alike than we think?
In the therapy room, I’ve seen both extremes. Some clients feel pressure to measure up to everyone else. Others feel like no one could possibly understand them — that they’re the exception.
The truth? Healing happens in the balance.
We are deeply individual — AND we share a common humanity. When we can hold both, we experience more hope, compassion, and connection.

New blog post is live. 💬

https://www.pacificacounselingllc.com/post/everyone-s-different-sort-of

Are we completely unique, or more alike than we think? In the therapy room, I’ve seen both extremes—over-comparing ourselves to others and believing we’re the exception to every rule. Healing happens in the middle, where we can honor our individuality while embracing our shared humanity.

02/27/2026

Don’t be shy. Healing looks good on you. ☺️

EMDR. Trauma recovery. Therapy for high-achievers. Burnout. Perfectionism. Psychiatry + counseling in Macon, GA.

For the ones who carry a lot quietly. 🌊