Get to know the team behind Psiconexia
Discover who we are and how we came to consider that such a tool was possible
Our story
Every story has a beginning, and ours begins the summer of 2018, on a winding road off the Galician coast (which was magnificent, by the way). Patri, my partner and I (Bruno), animatedly commented on the need to offer solutions to improve the connection between psychologists and patients. And, as is often the case on car trips in the summer… EUREKA! Why not develop a digital platform where anyone could find the most suitable mental health professional, according to their issues?
We quickly saw the need to develop a very comprehensive assessment instrument, to try to cover as many of the problems that exist in mental health as possible. Usually these ideas stay in the closet at home, along with the towel and sun cream, but this time it was different. And I began to dedicate the few free hours that my PhD allowed me to create this assessment instrument… which started growing. 129/5000 Until I needed the help of two great psychologists, who had collaborated in our research group: Oscar and Erik. Together, the three of us have worked tirelessly (well, sometimes we were exhausted after work, but still kept working with coffee or hamburger on hand) to shape this idea and research.
Since then, we have had the best advice, help and invaluable support from friends, family and acquaintances who have contributed their bit with all kinds of ideas and tips to improve the development, design, and feasibility plan of the digital platform and other aspects of the platform. We have also been advised by the best mental health professionals to improve the mental health assessment instrument, Psiconexia Predict, to whom we are deeply grateful. 200/5000 In addition to having the professional knowledge, support and infinite patience (literally it is infinite), of this first person, who initially believed in this idea, which is today PSICONEXIA.
Get to know us
Bruno Porras Garcia
General health psychologist and predoctoral researcher at the University of Barcelona (UB)
He is currently working in the research group on applications of new technologies and virtual reality in clinical psychology – VR-PSY LAB, specifically on the national and European research project PSI2015-70389-R (Development of virtual reality-based exposure techniques for improving anorexia nervosa treatment). During this period, he has published, as first author or co-author, a total of 14 articles in high-impact international journals. He has also presented several posters, oral presentations and scientific workshops at various national and international conferences in the field of new technologies and clinical psychology, and has been awarded two prizes at international conferences: the New Investigator Award from the Canada Research Chair in Clinical Cyberpsychology, CYPSY23 (Gatineau, Canada), and the prize for the best scientific poster presented at the 2019 annual conference organised by the Royal College of Psychiatrists (London, United Kingdom).
Ahora, pretende emprender una nueva aventura, en el desarrollo y creación de la plataforma digital Psiconexia. Un proyecto que combina sus tres pasiones principales, Psicología Clínica, investigación y nuevas tecnologías.
Oscar Castillero Mimenza
General Health Psychologist
General Health Psychologist and Educational Psychologist with a specialization in Educational Psychology in Secondary Education, by the University of Barcelona. Passionate about psychology and medicine, as well as zoology, history, literature, and mythology (among others). He has worked in the field of divulgation in well-known psychology and medicine web portals, as well as in the field of psychogeriatrics.
He currently works as a psychologist in different psychology and neuropsychology units.
Erik Expósito Sanz
General Health Psychologist
He closely collaborated with the research unit on applications of new technologies and virtual reality in Clinical Psychology – VR-PSY LAB – while completing his Master’s Final Project (TFM), specifically within the research project PSI2015-70389-R (Development of virtual reality-based exposure techniques for improving anorexia nervosa treatment), where he carried out his research, which led to the publication of his first article as a co-author.
He is currently combining his work with the development of the shared personal project Psiconexia.
In addition, we have the support of the BrainXRLab and the Department of Psychology at UIC Barcelona.Además, contamos con el apoyo del BrainXRLab y el Departamento de Psicología de UIC Barcelona.