Gergő Gacs

"Challenges aren't meant to stop you, but to help you discover how strong you truly are."

Get to know me

My availability

Ferenc Blvd 15, 1094 Budapest

Hungarian

English

In-person

ELTE PPK • PhD (in progress) - research focus: Developing self-regulation processes with breathing exercises to manage ADHD symptoms

KRE • Sport Psychology Specialist

PTE • Certified Psychologist in School Psychology and Counseling

Dr. Gyula Bíró • Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP) practitioner method-specific training (150 hours)

NANE Association • Supportive work with victims of domestic violence

As a private individual

Connecting with others has always played a central role in my life. For me, this connection is present not only in the therapeutic space but also in music.

Besides psychology, I work as a music producer, where finding a common voice with performers and the audience is just as crucial as in therapeutic work.

Growth is important to me. However, I had to realize again and again: sometimes the key to progress is to stop, look around, and let go.

This didn't come naturally to me - for a long time, I clung tightly to control. Rest seemed like a luxury, and I often couldn't appreciate what I had already achieved. I looked for mistakes rather than success.

This attitude made it difficult for me to truly experience my own achievements. As an athlete, though, I've learned a lot about myself. As a water polo player, I sometimes jumped into the pool with world-changing plans, and other times I felt lost. Here I learned how important it is to manage our emotions so we can truly be present in situations that matter to us.

After water polo, the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu captivated me – it has been my faithful companion ever since. For me, it is not just exercise but also a wise advisor: it teaches discipline, respect, and humility. I feel this sport will stay with me for the rest of my life.

I've also experienced what it's like to sit in the other chair as a client. During this time, I had to face my internal saboteur and get to know better who is constantly whispering: "you're not good enough."

Through the process of self-discovery, I learned that allowing negative thoughts is not a weakness but a key to authenticity. Instead of fighting them, I try to give them space – to listen to them, to understand them.

Nowadays, I try to make my decisions not based on these negative experiences but aligned with my inner values. Practicing mindful presence, breathing, sports, and my friends and family support me in this. I believe that the challenges and questions we encounter on our journey are just as much a part of healing as the answers and solutions. And if there's one thing I can pass on from this personal story, it's that the resource we seek is within, and we don't have to find it alone.

As a therapist

In the course of my personal life and sports career, the challenges I overcame motivate me to assist those who wish to make a change. I believe that this strength is within everyone.

During my own therapeutic process, I learned to regulate my emotions more effectively and to recognize the internal resources that help manage anxiety. Over time, I also mastered how to consciously steer internal tensions and energies in the right direction.

An important experience for me is that change often begins when we stop and step out of our mental circles, return to our body, the present moment, and truly connect with ourselves. This is the space where understanding and self-acceptance can also begin.

Alongside sports psychology work, I also support my clients in processing personal and lifestyle obstacles. I work primarily from a cognitive-behavioral perspective, but I integrate various methods throughout my work.

In my toolkit, mindfulness-based techniques, the development of bodily awareness, and conscious breathing play a crucial role, which we can use as an inner compass. Besides, I use practices that draw from the perspective of NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) – these help to bring awareness to our internal dialogues and foster the creation of new perspectives necessary for change. I think it's important to recognize how we interpret events happening around us and how these affect us internally.

Often, we do not see reality but a distorted image – these are cognitive errors, so-called cognitive distortions. If we get to know and notice them when they activate, we don't drift along with them but can make decisions more consciously, aligned with our own values – not merely based on our automatic thoughts and feelings.

In recent years, I have worked with many clients – athletes and private individuals alike have discovered the potential for growth behind difficulties. I believe that every change begins with the first step – whether it's an internal realization, a decision, or even a conversation.

I warmly welcome young adults and adults seeking support for their lifestyle challenges, who wish to understand themselves more deeply, be more consciously present in their daily lives, reduce anxiety, and are open to developing their internal resources.

I am also happy to welcome adolescent and adult athletes to the sports psychology process, who wish to strengthen mentally, improve their performance, prepare for an important competition or season, learn to manage the challenges associated with sports, reduce anxiety, or rediscover the love of sport. Sport is not only about performance but also about joy and enjoyment. If joy and enjoyment are lost, growth and results also lag behind. If you feel stuck in your personal life or in dealing with sports challenges, I am here for you with open arms. Reach out with confidence, and let's find together what can help you on your Path!