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.

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 sections 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). Internal exploration and awareness expansion: understanding psychotherapeutic transformation on conceptual and neurobiological levels. 

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.

In preparation

Kabrel M., Aru J., Wolf M. (2025). How Psychological Counselling Clients Experience Awareness Expansion (and How to Facilitate it Strategically): A 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 (with a focus on psychotherapy research/concepts).