Stepping Stones Founders
Jasmin Jackson, MS
Clinical Therapist - Sport Consultation/Transition Specialist
Stepping Stones Program Director
Clinical Therapist - Sport Consultation/Transition Specialist
Stepping Stones Program Director
Ms. Jackson double majored during her undergraduate studies at the University of North Alabama and received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Bachelors of Business Administration and Business Management. She subsequently obtained her Masters of Science in Performance Psychology at Barry University and participated in training with the United States military as well as the university athletics. Ms. Jackson also had the opportunity to work directly with the Miami Dolphins professional football team serving as a sport psychology consultant. She has specialty interest in performance enhancement, motivational techniques, imagery, and life skill enhancement.
Early on, specializing in performance enhancement, Ms. Jackson had the opportunity to consult with a range of groups and individuals, from adolescent to adult including, athletes/exercisers, performers, military, business owners, students, and more. Always taking a more hands on approach, Ms. Jackson became known for providing education and application of psychological skills in simulated settings, that would assist the group/individual to excel in not only their area of expertise but could be generalized to all aspects of life.
Some of the skills she specialized in included self awareness, focus, confidence building, self-talk, pre-performance routines, goal setting, imagery, and relaxation techniques. Ms. Jackson was also given the opportunity to speak about her experiences at the 2013 Association of Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) conference. When relocating to San Diego, she was introduced to the addiction community where she was hired on to help improve the success rate of addicts in treatment. After working in this setting for several years, Ms. Jackson noticed that one of the key components that increased success in recovery was a smooth transition process throughout.
Most recently, Ms. Jackson has been working as a Transition Specialist with Pacific Bay Recovery. Ms. Jackson singlehandedly developed the Transition Support Program for Pacific Bay Recovery in 2017. As a result of her success, and the clear necessity for this service in the recovery and greater community, Dr. MacKinnon and Ms. Jackson came together to form Stepping Stones LTS to offer the services to a broader range of clientele.
Early on, specializing in performance enhancement, Ms. Jackson had the opportunity to consult with a range of groups and individuals, from adolescent to adult including, athletes/exercisers, performers, military, business owners, students, and more. Always taking a more hands on approach, Ms. Jackson became known for providing education and application of psychological skills in simulated settings, that would assist the group/individual to excel in not only their area of expertise but could be generalized to all aspects of life.
Some of the skills she specialized in included self awareness, focus, confidence building, self-talk, pre-performance routines, goal setting, imagery, and relaxation techniques. Ms. Jackson was also given the opportunity to speak about her experiences at the 2013 Association of Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) conference. When relocating to San Diego, she was introduced to the addiction community where she was hired on to help improve the success rate of addicts in treatment. After working in this setting for several years, Ms. Jackson noticed that one of the key components that increased success in recovery was a smooth transition process throughout.
Most recently, Ms. Jackson has been working as a Transition Specialist with Pacific Bay Recovery. Ms. Jackson singlehandedly developed the Transition Support Program for Pacific Bay Recovery in 2017. As a result of her success, and the clear necessity for this service in the recovery and greater community, Dr. MacKinnon and Ms. Jackson came together to form Stepping Stones LTS to offer the services to a broader range of clientele.
Dr. Starr MacKinnon
Licensed Clinical Psychologist (PSY27021)
Stepping Stones Clinical Director
Licensed Clinical Psychologist (PSY27021)
Stepping Stones Clinical Director
Dr. MacKinnon received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) at Alliant International University, San Diego. She completed a one-year APA accredited internship at Central Washington University followed by a one-year post-doctoral fellowship at San Diego State University. She completed her predoctoral training at San Diego State University and the Center for Behavioral Sciences, Stress and Anxiety Clinic, which included rotations in pediatrics and sports psychology.
During her doctoral training she specialized in heart rate variability (HRV) data collection, management, and analysis and pursued research involving integrative therapies, health and wellness, and psychophysiological mechanisms of change. In collaboration with HeartMath Research Institute, Dr. MacKinnon published a study on the cardiac regulation of vagal afferents (heart to brain connection) during emotion and diaphragmatic breathing such as that seen in yoga or meditation: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23824262
Dr. MacKinnon’s early career focus was integrative medicine, research on alternative therapies, and program development. Working as a clinical psychologist for Kaiser Permanente, Dr. MacKinnon developed the “Mind Over Cancer” mindfulness-based cancer recovery program for the oncology department. She was also responsible for revising the weight and wellness curriculum for Kaiser Permanente Preventive Medicine. In addition to her work as a clinician, Dr. MacKinnon has experience as an adjunct professor at Alliant International University and has been involved in research projects with Kaiser Permanente, Scripps Health, Veterans Medical Research Foundation, University of California, San Diego, and San Diego State University.
She presently serves as the clinical director for Pacific Bay Recovery, an inpatient, intensive outpatient, and outpatient addiction treatment program. In addition, Dr. MacKinnon runs a successful private practice offering online and in person sessions in San Diego, California.
During her doctoral training she specialized in heart rate variability (HRV) data collection, management, and analysis and pursued research involving integrative therapies, health and wellness, and psychophysiological mechanisms of change. In collaboration with HeartMath Research Institute, Dr. MacKinnon published a study on the cardiac regulation of vagal afferents (heart to brain connection) during emotion and diaphragmatic breathing such as that seen in yoga or meditation: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23824262
Dr. MacKinnon’s early career focus was integrative medicine, research on alternative therapies, and program development. Working as a clinical psychologist for Kaiser Permanente, Dr. MacKinnon developed the “Mind Over Cancer” mindfulness-based cancer recovery program for the oncology department. She was also responsible for revising the weight and wellness curriculum for Kaiser Permanente Preventive Medicine. In addition to her work as a clinician, Dr. MacKinnon has experience as an adjunct professor at Alliant International University and has been involved in research projects with Kaiser Permanente, Scripps Health, Veterans Medical Research Foundation, University of California, San Diego, and San Diego State University.
She presently serves as the clinical director for Pacific Bay Recovery, an inpatient, intensive outpatient, and outpatient addiction treatment program. In addition, Dr. MacKinnon runs a successful private practice offering online and in person sessions in San Diego, California.
