Meet the Team -

Oana David

Director

Oana David, Ph.D. is Professor in the Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, at Babes-Bolyai University, Director of the Babes-Bolyai-PsyTech Psychology Clinic and the DATA Lab. She has received the Ph.D. from BBU in 2011 with a thesis focused on evidence-based parenting programs for reducing child disruptive disorders. Her research is focused on the efficacy of technology based tools for the prevention of emotional disorders in youths and stress management in adults. She was awarded four major research grants, based on which she developed the following therapeutic technology based tools: the REThink therapeutic game, the PsyPills app for stress management, the online Rational and Positive Parenting Program and the roboRETman therapeutic mechatronic device for coaching emotion skills in children. She is clinical psychologist and an accredited practitioner and supervisor in CBT, member of the European Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, founding president of the International Association of Cognitive Behavioral Coaching, and international board member of the International Centre for Coaching Psychology Research, UK. She is also chief editor of the Journal Evidence-Based Psychotherapies, and member in the editorial board of the Journal of Rational Emotive and Cognitive Behavioral Therapies.

CV Oana David, Ph. D.

Cristina Tomoiagă

Key team members

Cristina Tomoiagă is key assistant researcher in the REThink Emotions project. She is currently a Ph.D. student at the Evidence-Based Psychological Assessment and Interventions Doctoral School, Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca. Her research is focused on the efficacy of online interventions using cognitive-behavioral coaching on different types of outcomes, as well as the mechanisms of change in this process. She is a CBT practitioner and professional experience includes soft skills and technical trainings, coaching and e-learning platforms and tools. She is also a member of the International Association of Cognitive Behavioral Coaching.

Ioana Iuga

Key team members

Iuga Ioana Alexandra has a degree in clinical psychology and psychotherapy and is currently a Ph.D. student at the Evidence-Based Psychological Assessment and Interventions Doctoral School, Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca. She is an intern at PsyTech University Clinic and the Institute of Advanced Studies in Science and Technology – STAR-UBB. Her research interests focus on school burnout and the influence of parental expectations on children’s academic stress.

Simona Miron

Key team members

Simona Miron is currently a clinical psychologist at the PsyTech University Clinic and a doctoral student at the Doctoral School of Evidence-Based Assessment and Psychological Interventions at Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca. She completed her undergraduate program with a specialization in Forensic Psychology at Tilburg University and her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, Psychological Counseling, and Psychotherapy at Babeș-Bolyai University. Her main research interests focus on the development of disruptive behaviors in children and adolescents and their connection to juvenile delinquency, as well as effective therapy for individuals with personality disorders and aggressive behaviors within couple relationships.

Silviu Matu

Team members

Silviu Matu is a senior assistant professor at the Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, at Babeș-Bolyai University, and a researcher on the PSYTECH-MATRIX Platform for Robotherapy and Virtual Reality Therapy, also at Babes-Bolyai University. His main research interests are related to emotion regulation and the integration of psychology and technology in order to promote mental health. Silviu has worked as a researcher in several projects on these topics, including the the “REThink” project and the “DREAM” project, financed by the European Commission in the 7th Framework Programme, grant agreement no. 611391, focusing on developing an intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder by using therapeutic social robots.

Roxana Cardoș

Team members

Roxana Cardos, Ph.D. is a postdoctoral researcher at Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca and a clinical psychologist at the PsyTech University Clinic within the Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy. She has played a key role in the REThink project, contributing to the development of innovative approaches in technology-assisted therapy. Through her work, she explores modern ways of integrating digital solutions into psychotherapeutic practices, aiming to enhance mental health interventions.

Liviu-Andrei Fodor

Team members

Liviu-Andrei Fodor is a research assistant at the DATA Lab within the International Institute for the Advanced Studies of Psychotherapy and Applied Mental Health and a doctoral student at the “Psychodiagnostics and scientifically validated psychological interventions” Doctoral School. He has a degree in psychology and graduated with a master’s degree in “Clinical psychology, psychological counseling and psychotherapy”, both at Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca. His main research interests include meta-research procedures and advanced research methods for evaluating the efficiency / effectiveness of technologically augmented psychological interventions (e.g. virtual reality, PC and mobile platforms) in the treatment of mental disorders.

Sorin Stan

Team members

Sorin Stan is a passionate person that connects business needs with technical solutions. He has been involved in implementing commercial products for clients in US and Europe but also in educational projects. Sorin has over 20 years of experience in IT and holds a Master’s degree in AI and Computer Science from UBB in Cluj, as well as an MBA from the Romanian-Canadian Program from ASE in Bucharest.

Renata Gheorghiu

Team members

Renata Gheorghiu is currently a Ph.D student at the Evidence-based assessment and psychological interventions Doctoral School, Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca. Her main research interests are using digital interventions in clinical populations, with a focus on bipolar disorder, and various predictors associated with the disorder.

Georgiana M. Roșca

PhD Students

Georgiana M. Roșca is a cognitive-behavioral psychologist and trainer. Currently, she is a Ph.D. student at the Evidence-based assessment and psychological interventions Doctoral School, Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca. Her research interest aims at investigating parent child factors and effective and immediate parenting strategies used in children’s compliance and their adequate development on the long term. Her work experience focused on child psychology. Also, she is part of the International Association of Cognitive Behavioral Coaching team.

Doris Pop

PhD Students

Doris Pop has a degree in clinical psychology and psychotherapy and is currently a Ph.D. student at the Evidence-based assessment and psychological interventions Doctoral School, Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca. Her research interests focus on investigating personal values, major life events, the stability and change of personal values over the life course. In private practice, she is a clinical psychologist, cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist in supervision and cognitive-behavioral coach. She is also an ANC accredited trainer.

Vasile Sîrbu

PhD Students

Vasile Sîrbu is currently a Ph.D. student at the Evidence-based assessment and psychological interventions Doctoral School, Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca. He is licensed in psychology and graduated from the Master of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy at the West University of Timisoara. His main research interests now focus on the scientific validation of mobile psychological interventions and the investigation of the mechanisms of change behind them in reducing the symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress.

Ioana Iuga

PhD Students

Iuga Ioana Alexandra has a degree in clinical psychology and psychotherapy and is currently a Ph.D. student at the Evidence-based assessment and psychological interventions Doctoral School, Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca. She is an intern at PsyTech University Clinic and the Institute of Advanced Studies in Science and Technology – STAR-UBB. Her research interests focus on school burnout and the influence of parental expectations on children’s academic stress.

Renata Gheorghiu

PhD Students

Eliza Atudosie

PhD Students

Eliza Atudosie has a degree in clinical psychology and psychotherapy and is currently a Ph.D. student at the Evidence-based assessment and psychological interventions Doctoral School, Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca. Her research interests focus on technology based psychological interventions and the investigation of the mechanisms behind them in reducing anxiety and stress among students and young adults. In private practice, she is a clinical psychologist and cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist in supervision.

Vlad Mărghitaș

PhD Students

Vlad Mărghitaș has a degree in clinical psychology and psychotherapy, works as a clinical psychologist in supervision with a focus on addiction treatment and is currently a Ph.D. Student at the Evidence-based assessment and psychological interventions Doctoral School, Babeș-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca. His research interests include studying the role of altered states of consciousness in the process of therapeutic change, focusing on various behavioral sources of mystical experience, such as religious participation, meditation and mindfulness or exposure to emotionally salient artistic or musical stimuli.

Denisa Mălan

PhD Students

Denisa Mălan is currently a Ph.D. student at the Doctoral School of Evidence-Based Assessment and Psychological Interventions at Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca. She completed her undergraduate program with a double major in Psychology and Sociology, and earned her master’s degrees in Psychological Techniques for Behavior Control and Human Potential Development, as well as Complex Data Analysis, at Babeș-Bolyai University. Her main research interests focus on the effectiveness of digital interventions compared to traditional therapy in improving mental health.

Simona Miron

PhD Students

Diana Condrea

PhD Students

Diana Condrea is a Ph.D. student at the Doctoral School of Evidence-based assessment and psychological interventions at Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca. She holds a degree in psychology and has completed a master’s program in Psychological Techniques for Behavior Control and Human Potential Development. Her main research interests focus on the interaction between positive and aversive childhood experiences and their role in the development of psychopathology, with an emphasis on anxiety and depression.

Georgiana-Sorina Modog

PhD Students

Georgiana-Sorina Modog studied clinical psychology and psychotherapy and is currently a student at the Doctoral School of Evidence-based assessment and psychological interventions at Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca. She is also an intern at the PsyTech University Clinic. Her research interests focus on digital psychological interventions and investigating the mechanisms behind them in reducing academic burnout among students.

Research Collaborators/Consultants

Alvaro Sanchez Lopez, Ph.D. Department of Clinical Psychology of Complutense University of Madrid, Spain

Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA)

Ion Petre Barboș, Ph.D. Senior Lecturer at Babeș-Bolyai University, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport

Laura Brumariu, Ph.D. Associate Professor at Adelphi University New York, USA

Marie Danet, Ph.D. Associate Professor at Laboratoire Psitec, Université de Lille – Nord de France

Marie Yap, Ph.D. Associate Professor at Monash University School of Psychological Sciences, Monash, Australia

Mariusz Wirga, MD Medical Director Psychosocial Oncology, MemorialCare Cancer Institute at Long Beach Medical Center

Sebastian Vaida, Ph.D. Research Assistant at Babeș-Bolyai University, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Department of Psychology

Thomas Meißner, Ph.D. General Pediatrics Clinic, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, Düsseldorf University

Veronica Rebreanu, Ph.D. Senior Lecturer at Babeș-Bolyai University, Faculty of Law

Cari Pick, Social Psychology Sustainability Psychology Intragroup Dynamics Stereotypes & Prejudices at Arizona State University

Commercial collaborators

Critique gaming

Psychological Solutions and Technologies

Codex Works

Larisa Armășoiu

Student collaborators

Larisa Armășoiu is currently studying Psychology at “Babes-Bolyiai” University in Cluj-Napoca. Psychology and art are her main passions and she is always willing to learn from any experience so that in the end she can also share further.

Alexandra Suciu

Student collaborators

Alexandra Maria Suciu is pursuing a master's degree in Clinical Psychology, Psychological Counseling, and Psychotherapy at Babeș-Bolyai University, where she also completed two bachelor's degrees, in Psychology and in International Relations. Her research interests focus on the use of technology in psychological interventions, particularly regarding social anxiety and eating disorders.

Tania Vezure

Student collaborators

Tania Vezure is a student of psychology, in the Cadrul Universității “Babeș-Bolyai” in Cluj-Napoca. Her interests include integrative psychotherapy and cultural and parental influences on cognitive development.

Teodora Foaleș

Student collaborators

Teodora Foaleș is a graduate of the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences and holds a Master's degree in Public and Clinical Health Psychology. In her professional and volunteer work, Teodora is focused on supporting individuals facing psychological difficulties, with the aim of creating a more inclusive and empathetic environment. Among her research interests are social stigma surrounding psychological disorders, stereotypes and discrimination, domestic violence, as well as the use of mHealth and eHealth applications as innovative tools for the treatment and management of various psychological issues.

Adela-Ioana Pop

Student collaborators

Adela-Ioana Pop has completed a bachelor degree in Psychology and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Psychological Techniques for Behavior Control and Human Potential Development at Babeș-Bolyai University. She is constantly seeking to develop professionally in order to learn as much knowledge and skills as possible for her future career. Her research interests center on understanding and exploring personality disorders, depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), with a particular focus on developing intervention and treatment strategies aimed at improving the quality of life of affected individuals.

Tania Armașu

Student collaborators

Tania Armașu is a master’s student in Clinical Psychology, Psychological Counseling and Psychotherapy at "Babeș-Bolyai" University in Cluj-Napoca. In her experience as a volunteer, Tania upholds humanity, compassion, and courage as core values that guide her work. She is passionate about reading and researching in the field of psychology, with a special interest in psychosomatics, psychological interventions in mood and psychosomatic disorders.

Ecaterina Capanistei

Student collaborators

Ecaterina Capanistei is a final-year student specializing in Psychology-Cognitive Science, an English-taught program at Babeș-Bolyai University. Her academic interests include cognitive-behavioral therapies, forensic psychology, and economic psychology. Beyond her passion for this field, Ecaterina is deeply interested in diplomacy, human rights, education, and gender equality, with extensive experience in activism and volunteering.

Gherman Veronica

Student collaborators

Veronica Gherman graduated from the Faculty of Psychology at Babeș-Bolyai University and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Psychological Techniques for Behavior Control and Human Potential Development. She is an intern at the Psytech University Clinic, where she is deepening her practical training. Her research interests focus on developing digital interventions for the treatment of psychological disorders, as well as exploring the role of emotion regulation skills and early traumatic experiences in the onset and progression of these disorders.

Mara Armașu

Student collaborators

Mara Armașu is a first-year master's student following the Clinical Psychology, Psychological Counselling and Psychotherapy program at “Babeș-Bolyai” University. At this stage of her professional journey, Mara is focused on gaining a deep understanding of the subjects she is studying by exploring scientific literature, classical and modern novels that provide access to unique experiences shedding light on the complexity of human beings. Mara appreciates engaging in meaningful interactions with different people who seek support from the university clinic where she activates as a volunteer.

Bianca Bindea

Student collaborators

Bianca Bindea holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Psychological Techniques for Behavior Control and Human Potential Development. Additionally, she is completing her academic journey with courses in Cognitive Sciences. Her interests encompass both research and psychotherapy, currently undertaking an internship at the university clinic. Her academic focus centers on behavioral and substance addictions, as well as interdisciplinary topics, such as artificial intelligence, human-robot interaction, cognitive linguistics, and complex systems in psychology.

Manea Ștefan

Student collaborators

Ștefan-Manea is a master's student in Clinical psychology, psychological counseling and psychotherapy at Babeș-Bolyai University. He graduated from the same university with a thesis that aimed to investigate the comparative effectiveness of two distancing interventions, one imaginative and the other in virtual reality, in terms of reducing depressive symptomatology. He is interested in both science and practice, constantly looking for ways to intersect them to achieve the best results.

Macovei-Moraru Mara

Student collaborators

Macovei-Moraru Mara graduated from the Faculty of Psychology at Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Clinical Psychology, Psychological Counseling, and Psychotherapy. In her bachelor's thesis, she explored the relationship between "Mothers' Emotional Deprivation During Communism and Their Involvement in Symbiotic Relationships with Their Daughters." Her interests include intra-human relationship dynamics, early maladaptive experiences, parenting styles, Schema Therapy, relaxation and mindfulness techniques. In addition to her active involvement in the university's clinic, Mara considers travel an essential means of (self-)discovery and understanding different perspectives and experiences, making both a priority in her life.

Former members

Drd. Paula Stroian

Mrd. Anda Roberta Faur

Mrd. Tania Cadiș

Mrd. Mădălina Poenaru

Ionuț Milea, Ph.D Student

Marina Dascăl, Public Health Specialist

Georgian Stancovici, Software Engineer

Mădălina L. Pop, clinical psychologist

Kiss Iulia Maria, clinical psychologist

Tamara L. Macea, clinical psychologist

Iulian Bența, clinical psychologist

Fuia Mihai Dragos, clinical psychologist

Giulia Maria Cristelecan, student member

Livia Pașca, student member

Alex Profir, student member

Miruna Turcu, student member

Dariana Paraschiv, student member

Alexandra Bârsan, student member

Monica Pop, student member