Clarence W. Thomas, Jr.
MGI Contributor
thomasjr63@gmail.com
A place for peace. A place for wellness. A place for you. Sounds amazing right?! If you’re feeling unsteady and in need of these then get in touch with the team of Pacifica Counseling & Psychiatry in Macon.
The business is owned by approved clinical supervisor and licensed professional counselor Dr. Hanna Cespedes and established in May of 2023, with the intent to make its mission statement bond – making every client feel authentically seen, prioritized, and cared for. “I really wanted to serve a lot of our community through counseling. I always had a goal of starting a practice with a diverse staff that would help me accomplish my goal,” Dr. Cespedes said.
Dr. Hanna Cespedes is lead therapist. The clinical director is her husband and Pacifica co-founder Dr. Juan Carlos Cespedes. An adult psychiatrist, five mental health counselors, and a mental health intern make up the team at Pacifica Counseling & Psychiatry. Having a diverse staff with different specialty options is plus to business and especially interested clients Dr. Cespedes said.
A serious focus is put on the underserved. She says the need for comprehensive mental health services is necessary in a real time world. Stressful occurrences like human trauma, war, dangerous weather, and the recent national elections can leave folks feeling unbalanced. That’s where Pacifica comes in. “The need for this practice is huge,” she added. “Pacifica wants to create time for what’s needed and connect with the source – the community to meet their needs.”
When asked how she came by the name, Dr. Cespedes shared that it’s two-fold. The original Latin translation meaning “peaceful person” embodies the mission and goal of the practice. The name “Pacifica” is derived from her husband’s dad’s name Pacifico, whose goal was to send his family off into the world to serve those in need. The result can now be found in two business locations that include Atlanta and Macon.
Pacifica provides comprehensive services. They include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person Centered Therapy, Attachment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Medication Management. “This sets us apart. For those looking for extra support. The psychiatric medication enhances a lot of what we do,” Dr. Cespedes said.
The practice’s success rate is measured through Pacifica’s ability to build person-to-person relationships which translates into client satisfaction and retention she says. This is how the business keeps the doors open and existing and new clients coming back.
She believes that success in a therapy practice can be measured by the “working ourselves out of a job” philosophy. “This means we’re able to accomplish client stated goals and meet their mental health needs in a certain season of life and then they go off into the world and future with the skills and tools we cultivated together.”
Getting embedded into their locations in greater ways is happening too. Pacifica has outreach relationships with St. Joseph Catholic School, Atrium Health Navicent, Atlanta hospitals, and Gateway Homeless Center in Atlanta. It’s a way for the business to give back as it connects, Dr. Cespedes suggests. “We’re here to give as well.”
Dr. Cespedes closed by assuring clients that pursue care with Pacifica that they will be given a space to create the best versions of themselves and their lives. “I like to also tell them that even though I have a lot of letters after my name, that does not make me the expert in the room on THEIR experience. We’re in this together.”
To utilize Pacifica Counseling & Psychiatry contact Dr. Hanna Cespedes at 470-236-1503. Find out about the business as well at www.pacificacounselingllc.com.
