Evidence base

The method runs on data, not on promises

Most psychological approaches describe what they do. Here is what is usually missing: doctoral research with measurable results, a series of peer-reviewed publications, and ongoing clinical studies. Below is exactly what has been tested and where it is published.

Doctoral research, St. Petersburg, 2026

Specialty 5.3.6 — Medical Psychology

Mixed-methods design. Sample of N=15 with verified PTSD. Three measurement points: T0 (before), T1 (after), T2 (14 days later).

d = 5.01Effect size on IES-R
d = 7.13Effect size on CAPS-IV
93.3%Moved below the clinical cutoff by T2

This is a pilot sample. Effect sizes on small samples are read with caution, but the direction and the durability of the result at day 14 justify further study.

Publications

  • Defended2026

    A phenomenological study of personal metaphors in trauma and PTSD therapy

    Doctoral dissertation · specialty 5.3.6 Medical Psychology, St. Petersburg · VAK-listed (RU peer-reviewed)

  • Published2025

    Metaphor transformation and memory reconsolidation: a clinical-phenomenological analysis of the Mental Engineering method

    Humanitarian Scientific Bulletin · VAK-listed (RU peer-reviewed)

    Read (DOI)
  • Accepted for publication2026

    Transformation of personal metaphors and PTSD symptom dynamics during psychotherapeutic intervention: a mixed-methods phenomenological study

    Psychology. Historical-Critical Reviews and Current Research · VAK-listed (RU peer-reviewed)

  • Under review2026

    Metaphor as a dynamic information container: theoretical grounding of an interdisciplinary concept

    VAK-listed journal · VAK-listed (RU peer-reviewed)

  • Prepared for submission2026

    The metaphorical landscape in PTSD: a phenomenological classification by valence, agency and image schemas

    Clinical and Special Psychology · VAK-listed (RU peer-reviewed)

Ongoing research

Cross-addiction: the Mental Engineering method in addiction work

Joint study with the Mentallect psychological centre. Adapting the diagnostic and intervention protocol to cross-addictive presentations.

In progress · expected 2026

Restoring narrative agency in PTSD

Qualitative study of the recovery of subject position and narrative agency in PTSD clients during metaphor-transformation therapy.

In progress · expected 2026

A method with data behind it

If standard therapy did not produce a structural result, the issue may be the layer it was working on.

Book a session