Dávid Pödör
"We won't be able to change the world. However, how we respond to the world is something we can shape." /Noémi Orvos-Tóth/
9022 Győr, Bisinger stny. 10.
Hungarian
PPKE MA • Certified Psychologist
As a private individual
My teenage years, much like others', were not a simple time. The general anxiety and search for identity were further complicated by my parents' divorce.
I found it hard to talk about my feelings and thoughts, so I tried to suppress them primarily in the world of video games.
This only resulted in my increasing difficulty in handling real challenges. From this came the more frequent delays in getting to school, lack of motivation, and procrastination with my tasks. Back then, my surroundings and I considered this laziness, but now I see that was not the case at all.
To solve the increasingly difficult situation, with my mother's help, we looked for a psychotherapist. At the time, I had no idea what to expect or what expectations to have, but it soon became clear that the sessions helped me a lot.
It slowly became clear what was going on inside me and I also understood why.
I was captivated by the atmosphere of the therapy, fascinated by how much a professional can help with their knowledge and sincere attention. During one session, my therapist suggested that I might be suitable for this career – this helped me make the decision to choose this profession.
IT used to be just an escape route for me, but now it means more of a hobby and area of interest. To deepen my knowledge, I have recently started a program in computer engineering.
I also like spending my free time outside the digital realm. Walking and hiking, especially in the mountains, always help me clear my mind. As a home activity, I love cooking the most, because it contains every element that allows me to escape just a bit from the rush of everyday life.
In addition, I spend a lot of time with my rescued, traumatized dog, who is not just a companion but a constant reminder that progress often comes in small steps.
As a therapist
After obtaining my degree, I started working at Hungary's largest penitentiary institution. This was a conscious decision, as I thought (and my professor also taught this) that I could gain unique professional knowledge in a challenging environment.
This proved to be true, as for five years I encountered crises, unpredictable situations, and extremely diverse human destinies on a daily basis.
Even though the tools to support my work were significantly limited compared to the civilian sector due to the special circumstances, this period taught me that one can work effectively with just active listening and genuine connection. It was particularly important to be present without judgment and focused alongside people who were often facing the worst day of their lives sitting across from me.
As a psychologist, my interest in IT also proves useful: as a second-year engineering informatics student, I deal with the intersection of AI and psychology and how the digital space affects mental functioning.
During my studies and experiences, I observed that artificial intelligence indeed has human aspects – even if it sounds strange at first. Developers try to model human thinking processes, and in many cases, the users themselves participate in "teaching" the systems. Similarly important are the algorithms that determine what content we encounter in the online space and how this shapes our attention, decisions, and even our mood.
The internet has changed a lot from its early days:
the digital environment is increasingly efficiently personalized, making it easy to "immerse into it".
This is particularly risky if someone starts to disconnect from the offline world or feels they have few stable, supportive human connections to rely on.
My areas of expertise
• Video game and online addictions
• Teenage issues, identity search
• Anxiety
• Social anxiety
• Lack of self-confidence
• Self-esteem issues
• The panic of starting adult life
• Midlife crisis
• Coping with stress and tension
• Career planning
Issues I help with
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