Exploring Psychology and Psychoanalysis: My Research Journey

My Journey in Psychology: From Research to Psychoanalysis and Digital Innovation

My name is Daria Barabash — I am a psychologist, researcher, and founder of the project Mental Health db. My professional path combines academic psychology, psychoanalytic tradition, and modern technologies. In this article, I want to share my story — how I started, what knowledge and experience I have gained, and why today my work unites classic psychoanalytic ideas with innovative tools.

Education and First Research

I graduated from Alfred Nobel University (Dnipro, Ukraine) with a degree in Psychology (Educational Program: Counseling and Correctional-Developmental Work). This academic background gave me strong knowledge in psychological theories, research methods, psychodiagnostics, and practical counseling approaches.

My qualification thesis was devoted to the topic:

“The Influence of Attachment Style on the Development of Stress Resistance in Adolescents.”

This study explored how different attachment patterns, formed in early childhood, affect the ability of teenagers to cope with stress and adapt to challenges. For me, it was the first step toward connecting academic psychology with practical applications, and it confirmed my desire to continue working in this field.

Additional Training and Certifications

Beyond university education, I constantly enriched my knowledge through online platforms such as Prometheus and others, which provided me with practical courses and professional certificates. Among them:

Introduction to Early Intervention — principles of working with children at risk of developmental difficulties and supporting their families.

Non-Discriminatory Approach in Education — creating an inclusive learning environment free from bias.

Stress Management for Educators — practical self-regulation tools and burnout prevention strategies.

Psychological First Aid in Emergency and Crisis Situations — evidence-based techniques for supporting people in acute stress.

Traumatic Experience and PTSD — understanding post-traumatic stress disorder and methods of psychological care.

Psychotherapist’s Toolkit — practical counseling methods applicable in daily clinical work.

Each certificate is not just a document but proof of my commitment to making psychology applied, relevant, and accessible.

Future Plans: Master’s Degree in Psychoanalysis

One of my most important upcoming steps is entering the International Institute of Depth Psychology (IIDP), where I plan to study psychoanalysis at the Master’s level.

Psychoanalysis for me is not only a scientific discipline but also a unique method of understanding human unconscious life, dreams, early experiences, and inner conflicts. My goal is to combine the classical tradition of Freud and Jung with modern approaches and technological solutions.

Mental Health db: Where Psychology Meets Technology

In 2025, I founded Mental Health db, an educational and research platform that integrates psychology, psychoanalysis, and digital tools.

Our key projects include:

🌙 PsyDreamBot — a Telegram bot for dream analysis that applies Freud’s and Jung’s theories along with modern interpretations.

👶 ChildGrowBot — a digital tool for parents that provides personalized recommendations based on a child’s age and development.

🧠 MentalHealthDB.info — an online platform that helps people find a psychoanalyst or counselor according to their needs.

We are also building a presence on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, where we share educational materials both in Ukrainian and English.

Educational Telegram Channels

Apart from digital tools, we run educational Telegram channels:

Mental Health db — psychology and psychoanalysis explained in Ukrainian.

PsychoEnglish Bot — English language learning through psychology and psychoanalysis.

In the first channel, we provide structured knowledge in psychology and psychoanalysis. The second one offers a unique way to practice English: not only learning the language but also engaging in discussions about psychoanalysis, with plenty of interactive practice.

My Mission

I believe psychology should be accessible to everyone. My mission is to help people better understand themselves — their dreams, emotions, inner conflicts, and life challenges.

Through Mental Health db, my publications, and educational platforms, I strive to make psychology and psychoanalysis closer, clearer, and more practical for everyday life. I want to connect academic science with real human needs and to create tools that support self-discovery and personal growth.