My primary focus lies in the study of awareness expansion (a.k.a. insight): understanding how it comes about and how to facilitate it strategically within and between therapy sessions. Having a background in cognitive (neuro) sciences, I try to combine knowledge from these fields with psychotherapy to uncover the cognitive processes behind these transformative moments. In addition, I'm focusing on the potential application of Large Language Models to psychological interventions.

Before entering academia, I worked as a counseling psychologist, both in private practice and with Football Club "Shakhtar." Although my passport name is Mykyta, everyone calls me Nick. For more information, feel free to explore additional information below.

Peer-reviewed

Kabrel, M., Tulver, K., & Aru, J. (2024). The journey within: mental navigation as a novel framework for understanding psychotherapeutic transformation. BMC psychiatry, 24(1), 91. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-05522-8

Pre-prints

Michael J., Dvorkin D., Kabrel M. (2023). Do Collectivist and Individualist Primes Affect the Sense of Commitment in Joint Action. https://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.13226.

Under review

Kabrel M., Aru J. (2024). A Meta-Framework of Psychotherapeutic Change Process: Mental Navigation and Cognitive Map Expansion.

Kabrel M., Aru J. (2024). Neurocognitive mechanisms of psychotherapeutic change: a three-stage process. 

Michael J., Kabrel M., Montanari F.A., Dvorkin D. (2023). Experiencing Coordination and Commitment in Joint Action: A Cross-Cultural Qualitative Study.

I currently teach a seminar for bachelors called "Chronification of Mental Disorders" each Fall semester. In addition, I supervise bachelor's theses in clinical psychology.

• 3rd best Master thesis nationwide awarded by the Estonian Research Council (2024)
• Teaching Micro Innovation Grant awarded by ULF UZH (2024-2025)
• Achievement stipend for the University of Tartu students 2023 (two times)
• Erasmus+ internship grant (2023)
• Erasmus+ study grant (2022)