Who We Are
Our Mission
At Pacific Mindscape, we provide compassionate, patient-centered, holistic mental health care, utilizing a full toolbox of evidence-based therapies from classic psychiatric medication to integrative non-pharmacological interventions. In addition to mood and anxiety disorders, our areas of expertise include women's mental health, professional burnout, sexual psychiatry, men's mental health, heartbreak, and palliative psychiatry. Whether addressing emotional struggles such as loneliness, life transitions, or relationship challenges, we strive to offer personalized and transformative support. Focusing on wholeness, we provide a uniquely personalized approach that honors the distinct needs of each patient, fostering healing and personal growth in a supportive environment.
Louisa R. Steiger, MD, MPH
Louisa R. Steiger, MD entered medicine to support individuals facing challenges across all aspects of life. Her experience as a Fulbrighter in Germany highlighted the significant impact of social and cultural factors on well-being. With over 15 years of expertise in behavioral health, including leadership roles at UC San Diego and Palomar Health—where she was named Physician of the Year in 2024—Dr. Steiger combines clinical excellence with a public health perspective. She is particularly interested in two areas: supporting professionals dealing with burnout and depression, and addressing women’s mental health needs at every life stage. Dr. Steiger is deeply committed to helping professionals navigate the challenges of high-stress environments, recognizing that burnout and depression can profoundly impact both personal and professional spheres. Drawing on her extensive experience, she works to create tailored approaches that prioritize resilience, recovery, and sustainable well-being. For women, she provides comprehensive care during all their life’s journeys, addressing the intersection of mental, physical, and emotional health. Dr. Steiger specializes in offering guidance and care that empower women to thrive in every phase of life. Her combined expertise in clinical practice and public health allows her to address these challenges with a holistic and compassionate perspective. As a founder of Pacific Mindscape, Dr. Steiger is bringing her vision to life by creating a welcoming space where patients find support, understanding, and resources tailored to their individual journeys. Her practice combines evidence-based psychiatric care with complementary therapies to treat complex mental health conditions, and she emphasizes education, self-discovery, and empowerment as central elements of healing. -Education and Training: -Fulbright Grant, Universitäts Freiburg, Germany -The University of Toledo, MD -Northwest Ohio Consortium for Public Health, MPH -University of California San Diego Psychiatry Residency Song that Speaks to Her Soul: You’re Not Alone, Allison Russell Languages spoken: English, German Hobbies: Reading, crafting, hiking, making googly eyes at dogs
Kristyn Pellecchia, PMHNP
Kristyn Pellechia, PMHNP, embarked on her journey in psychiatry at San Diego Hospice as an NP in 2011, where she was drawn to the profound suffering experienced by patients facing life-limiting illnesses. It became clear to her that her calling was to support those feeling lonely, scared, abandoned, or grieving, providing a warm and compassionate presence as they navigated their paths toward the best possible lives. Her experience as a palliative psychiatry fellow at San Diego Hospice honed her clinical skills in assessing and treating emotional distress such as depression and anxiety in patients confronting serious illnesses and potential shortened lifespans. For Kristyn, this work embodies the essence of psychiatry, rooted in the Greek word “psyche,” which means breath, soul, and mind. With the founding of Pacific Mindscape, she is excited to implement a holistic approach to healing—one that integrates the soul, mind, and body. Alongside her specialized training, Kristyn has held multiple roles as a nurse practitioner delivering psychiatric care. Her experience spans maternal mental health clinics, HIV clinics serving traumatized individuals, nursing homes, and hospitals, where she has worked in both a consult liaison role and as the provider on an acute behavioral health unit. Combining expertise with compassion, she believes in the importance of collaboration—partnering with patients, fellow healers, healthcare experts, and the loved ones that patients hold dear. Beyond her clinical work, Kristyn is recognized as an authority in her field. She has contributed a chapter to a book on palliative care and has designed and taught a palliative care curriculum at the UCR School of Medicine, as well as developed online modules for physicians interested in mental health in palliative care. In establishing Pacific Mindscape, Kristyn aims to empower patients to envision, create, and embrace their best lives, regardless of their diagnosis or prognosis. She aspires to cultivate a space where individuals can access expert, high-quality, innovative, and compassionate care tailored to their unique needs. What sparks joy for her: breathing the air of a redwood forest, watching the sun rise over the mountains on a cloudy day, floating over waves feet first, reading inspired words, moving her body Footloose-style. Favorite quote: “man is not destroyed by suffering: he is destroyed by suffering without meaning.” Victor Frankl Education and Training: -Loyola Marymount University -Bachelor of Science, Biology -University of Washington, MMA -University of San Diego, RN -California State University, Long Beach, MSN, PMHNP-BC -San Diego Hospice and the Institute for Palliative Medicine, Fellowship, -Palliative Psychiatry ASKP3, Ketamine Certification
Our Team
Lauren Cruz
Lauren C. is the administrative assistant at Pacific Mindscape, where she leads the patient scheduling, social media and administrative duties to support the client engagement, community growth and office workflow. With over 5 years of experience in the medical field, Lauren specializes in clerical work and social engagement. Lauren holds a B.S in Biological Sciences from CSU San Marcos. Outside of work, she enjoys indoor cycling and volunteering with San Diegan youth.
Join Our Team
At Pacific Mindscape, we envision a world where every clinician and staff member thrives in a supportive, nurturing, and collaborative environment. We are committed to fostering a space where learning, curiosity, and inquiry flourish, driving innovation in mental health care. Please email admin@pacificmindscape.com to connect with us.