Stepping Stones Clinical Team
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.
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.
Janice Domaschenz, MA
Registered Psychological Associate (PSB94023964) Supervised by Dr. Starr MacKinnon (PSY27021) |
Janice Domaschenz obtained her Masters of Arts Clinical Psychology, Concentration Somatic Psychology (MFT Licensure Track) Degree from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles, California. She is pursuing her PsyD Clinical Psychology Degree from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Irvine, California. Her goal and passion is to empower individuals and families to grow in their personal and relational aspects of their lives and/or heal from traumas or other difficult life situations. Janice is committed to help individuals with the healing process and to overcome personal obstacles to improve their relationships.
Janice is an experienced therapist with a demonstrated history of working in the Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking field with various mental health needs. She is a highly qualified individual with an exceptional ability to work with diverse populations, including: adults and families, dually diagnosed individuals, and those in crisis. Her theoretical approach is humanistic and existential philosophies. She provides support, empathy and utilizes client-centered, solution-focused, cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavior, motivational interviewing and mindfulness approach.
Janice’s experience also includes additional training in areas of autism and behavior problems. She is compassionate to walk alongside individuals and help pursue a path of growth and peace.
Janice is an experienced therapist with a demonstrated history of working in the Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking field with various mental health needs. She is a highly qualified individual with an exceptional ability to work with diverse populations, including: adults and families, dually diagnosed individuals, and those in crisis. Her theoretical approach is humanistic and existential philosophies. She provides support, empathy and utilizes client-centered, solution-focused, cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavior, motivational interviewing and mindfulness approach.
Janice’s experience also includes additional training in areas of autism and behavior problems. She is compassionate to walk alongside individuals and help pursue a path of growth and peace.
Michelle Castro, MA
Registered Psychological Associate (PSB94027641) Supervised by Dr. Starr MacKinnon (PSY27021) |
Mx. Castro has a Bachelors degree in Anthropology from SUNY Oneonta, a Masters degree in Applied Social Research from CUNY Queens College, and a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from The California School of Professional Psychology. Mx. Castro is currently completing a PhD in International Psychology at The Chicago School.
Mx. Castro currently conducts forensic assessments in the local prison system for the San Diego Public Defender's office and the San Diego District Attorney’s office. Zi also conducts clinical psychotherapy, and will be partaking in psychological research in Germany and Serbia. Zi is an experienced therapist with a history of providing multiculturally competent mental health services in schools and private practice settings for diverse populations including those with neurocognitive disorders, learning disabilities, mood disorders, and behavioral disorders.
Mx. Castro has worked at an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy clinic providing long-term care within San Diego County for three years utilizing acceptance and commitment theoretical orientations integrated with behavioral and affirmative therapy techniques and interventions. Additionally, Mx. Castro conceptualizes clients utilizing anti-racist, trauma-informed, and decolonized lenses in conjunction with biopsychosocial theory to empower clients while identifying effective resources and recommendations.
Zi is also a certified yoga and meditation teacher, has been teaching classes privately for six years. Michelle is an avid practitioner of yoga and zen meditation, hiking, and painting. Mx. Castro’s background includes being an adjunct lecturer in the New York City University System creating original curriculum and lecturing courses in Psychology, Sociology, English, and Statistics. Zi has also been an international academic specialist for ten years and aids families from across the globe and domestically, and has trained educational therapists from some of the most reputable agencies in NY and LA.
Mx. Castro currently conducts forensic assessments in the local prison system for the San Diego Public Defender's office and the San Diego District Attorney’s office. Zi also conducts clinical psychotherapy, and will be partaking in psychological research in Germany and Serbia. Zi is an experienced therapist with a history of providing multiculturally competent mental health services in schools and private practice settings for diverse populations including those with neurocognitive disorders, learning disabilities, mood disorders, and behavioral disorders.
Mx. Castro has worked at an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy clinic providing long-term care within San Diego County for three years utilizing acceptance and commitment theoretical orientations integrated with behavioral and affirmative therapy techniques and interventions. Additionally, Mx. Castro conceptualizes clients utilizing anti-racist, trauma-informed, and decolonized lenses in conjunction with biopsychosocial theory to empower clients while identifying effective resources and recommendations.
Zi is also a certified yoga and meditation teacher, has been teaching classes privately for six years. Michelle is an avid practitioner of yoga and zen meditation, hiking, and painting. Mx. Castro’s background includes being an adjunct lecturer in the New York City University System creating original curriculum and lecturing courses in Psychology, Sociology, English, and Statistics. Zi has also been an international academic specialist for ten years and aids families from across the globe and domestically, and has trained educational therapists from some of the most reputable agencies in NY and LA.
Mystiika Jae Carter, MA
Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT 145943) Dr. Starr MacKinnon (PSY27021) |
Mystiika Jae Carter obtained their Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Spiritual and Depth Psychology. With a passion for guiding individuals through their subconscious material, Mystiika integrates metaphysics, spirituality, and ancestral exploration to illuminate the interconnected layers of one’s healing journey.
Their work centers on attachment trauma, intergenerational healing, and ancestral connections, believing that the lived experiences of our ancestors influence us at a cellular level. Mystiika creates space for courageous conversations around race, gender, sexuality, and religion, exploring how belief systems shape our relationships, identities, and capacity to experience liberation and joy in our bodies.
Mystiika is also deeply passionate about guiding folx through healing gender-based violencesomatically, emotionally, mentally, and physically. They explore the origins of habits and behaviors—particularly in relationships to self, money, family, and romantic connections—helping clients understand where these patterns come from and creating room for compassion and forgiveness in their bodies.
Through somatic awareness, emotional attunement, and lineage healing, Mystiika helps individuals reclaim their sense of self, move through pain as an essential teacher, and foster deeper emotional freedom and transformation. They honor their gender and queer-expansive background while providing an inclusive, non-judgmental environment for healing and growth.
Their work centers on attachment trauma, intergenerational healing, and ancestral connections, believing that the lived experiences of our ancestors influence us at a cellular level. Mystiika creates space for courageous conversations around race, gender, sexuality, and religion, exploring how belief systems shape our relationships, identities, and capacity to experience liberation and joy in our bodies.
Mystiika is also deeply passionate about guiding folx through healing gender-based violencesomatically, emotionally, mentally, and physically. They explore the origins of habits and behaviors—particularly in relationships to self, money, family, and romantic connections—helping clients understand where these patterns come from and creating room for compassion and forgiveness in their bodies.
Through somatic awareness, emotional attunement, and lineage healing, Mystiika helps individuals reclaim their sense of self, move through pain as an essential teacher, and foster deeper emotional freedom and transformation. They honor their gender and queer-expansive background while providing an inclusive, non-judgmental environment for healing and growth.
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Christina Gonzalez
Billing and Insurance Administrator
Billing and Insurance Administrator
Christina is an honors graduate from Mesa College. She began her career as a Registered Dental Assistant and then advanced to Billing and Administration for multiple dental and medical offices. Over her 34 year work history, she has become well versed in many specialties of health care including dental, medical, ambulance, lab, and mental health.
