Drawing on over three decades of experience Dr. Gordon MacKinnon, Ph.D., is a highly revered Psychologist and is well regarded for his expertise and exceptional levels of patient care. Dr. MacKinnon was recently recognized by the American Health Council and is the recipient of the ‘Carl Jung Award’ of Psychology for 2024.
He laid the foundations for his illustrious career back in 1981, when he completed his Bachelor of Science in Religious Education from Rochester Christian University ‘RCU’, (formerly Rochester University), and a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources development from Oakland University. Keen to continue expanding on his knowledge and understanding of the mental health arena, he then embarked on a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy at Wayne State University and obtained his limited licensed in Psychology, professional psychotherapist credentials.
In 1997, Dr. MacKinnon revisited the world of academia and attained his Doctor of Philosophy in clinical psychology from the University of Detroit-Mercy. His impressive dissertation explored the effects of the stress response to natural disaster films, in connection with the function of patient locus of control and field dependence/field independence.
Following completion of his studies, Dr. MacKinnon successfully secured a Clinical Internship and Residency in Psychology at the Wyandotte Hospital and Medical Center. His numerous achievements during this period includes working with adolescents in the center’s psychiatric partial hospitalization program, the Adult Psychiatric unit, Neuropsychology assessments, and group psychotherapy on the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation unit.
Keen to contribute to both theoretical and practical applications of his craft, Dr. MacKinnon opened his own private clinical practice in 1997. This practice is still in operation today and Dr. Mackinnon has been recognized as one of the Top Psychologists (2020) in the Detroit Area. Dr. Mackinnon recently took an additional position as a senior psychological clinical staff member at United Psychological Services. He is overseeing the master level psychologists and social workers in the practice. In addition, he oversees the psychological assessment of neuropsychiatric disorders in adults.
Dr. MacKinnon has always been committed to educating the future generation of medical professionals, and in 2001, he took up the coveted position of Professor of Psychology at RCU. This tenure has seen the esteemed Dr. MacKinnon teach over 15 courses across psychology, media, and ethics. He has also presented to several patient groups at Corewell Health: William Beaumont Hospital, and at the Weisberg Cancer Center. Also in the summer of 2023 he was asked to teach a seminar at Oakland University, William Beaumont Medical School, entitled, “Art, Empathy & Medicine, the Human Experience in Healthcare.” The seminar was so well accepted that he was asked to return for the Fall of 2024 and was recently granted a three-year appointment.
The work of Dr. MacKinnon had not gone un-noticed as he was a former chairperson of the department of Psychology at RCU, a role he upheld until 2020. He currently serves in a clinical supervisor role for the MacKinnon Psychology and Counseling Center and has previously received the Faculty of the Year award for his impressive contributions. Additionally, he teaches in an adjunct role in the Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Psychology. He also serves as the vice president of the Academy for the Psychoanalytic Arts.
Dr. MacKinnon is an accomplished author, and his published works are featured in a variety of respected publications including the Oxford University Forum on Public Policy, the Michigan Society for Psychoanalytic Psychology Newsletter, the Journal of Health and Human Experience, the Social History of the American Family: An Encyclopedia, and Historical Monuments: History, Culture, Heritage, and Beyond. He is currently working on a manuscript about a study of familicide and the Psychology of mass murderers.
Dr. MacKinnon has maintained a life-long interest in the effects of medical or catastrophic trauma on stress and patient-caregiver relationships. In this regard, his attention has been previously focused on cancer patients, and he extended his support further by volunteering at Corewell Health: Beaumont Hospital in their cancer support groups.
Reflecting on his successes to date, Dr. MacKinnon believes that he strives to be an ethical practitioner both in life and work, in addition to remaining passionate about people’s stories and life struggles. In the future, Dr. MacKinnon plans to focus more of his time on private consulting and making a real difference to the lives of his patients.
