Edina Szabó
A person doesn't become what they want, but what they can imagine themselves to be.
Ferenc Blvd 15, 1094 Budapest
Hungarian
VIKOTE • CBT Self-awareness group (150 hours)
KRE • Sport Psychology Specialist
PPKE MA • Certified Psychologist
MAKOMP • Complex integrative therapist (in progress)
As a private individual
Sports have been a part of my life since childhood. At 16, I moved from the countryside to join the Ferencváros team, and I played handball competitively for over 25 years.
Alongside the successes, I also experienced the tougher side of being an athlete: the failures, the downturns, the injuries, and those internal struggles that might be familiar to you too.
As a young athlete, I was a perfectionist and an over-thinker, which made it very difficult to handle failures and tougher periods. Often, I could only start moving up again from the bottom of the pit. This mode of operation is not necessarily advantageous in competitive sports, yet it played a key role in sparking my interest in mental preparation and self-awareness.
A strong duality always characterized me; I was sensitive inside—but outwardly I functioned as a strong, determined, "warrior" athlete. This duality was a challenge for a long time, but now I know that it's what makes me whole. I've learned that strength doesn't mean suppressing feelings but being able to face them.
These experiences have shaped who I am today: they taught me perseverance, how to get back up, to re-plan, and they formed the values by which I live and work today.
Throughout my career and life, I have had to manage in many different roles: I was a child, then an adult, a teammate and an opponent, an athlete, a student and an employee, a friend and a girlfriend, and of course, a psychologist.
I know what it's like to balance between these life roles, then sometimes get lost in them, and eventually find oneself again. Perhaps this is why I feel it's important not only to support athletes but also anyone else
who feels stuck, overwhelmed, is searching for direction, wants to develop, or simply wishes to understand themselves better.
As a therapist
The world of sports psychology for me is not just a professional field, but also a personal commitment. After 25 years of competitive sports, I know exactly how important it is not only to see the performance but to see the person behind the athlete. As a psychologist, I want to be the supportive background for you, which would have meant a lot (would have) throughout my career.
I have been working as a certified psychologist, sports psychology specialist, and coach.
My methodological approach is person-centered and based on cognitive foundations, and currently, I have started my complex integrative therapist training to support those who turn to me with more tools and flexibility.
I continuously train myself and engage in my self-awareness process to accompany others on their journey authentically - whether in sports or everyday challenges.
In addition to psychological work, I also assist my clients in coaching-based processes - in situations where it is not primarily about a block, but about a need for development, conscious self-improvement, or targeted performance focus.
Beyond sports psychology work, I also gained organizational and work psychology experience, so I'm well-acquainted with different forms of performance situations - whether it's a sports field, workplace, leadership role, or personal challenge. I believe that performance appears in every aspect of life and requires the same inner awareness, self-reflection, and flexibility.
In my work,I work with adolescents (14 years old) and adults alike - with athletes and civilian clients. My goal is that throughout our joint work, everyone better understands their functioning, uses their internal resources more consciously, and finds a balance between performance and mental well-being.
I believe that honesty, trust, openness, and respect are the foundation of all relationships, and this is the mindset I wish to provide to those I work with.
It is important to me that the joint work takes place in a space where there's no need to conform, just to be present - as oneself. Change begins when someone dares to honestly look at where they are and starts moving toward development. My task is to accompany, support, and help bring to the surface what is already within. I don't offer ready-made solutions, but a process where
together we discover what helps most for someone to function well in their own life - whether it's about sports, work, social relationships, or the relationship with themselves.
My areas of expertise
Teen Consultation (from 14 years):
• Challenges related to sports life (professional and hobby level)
• General mental well-being
• Performance pressure
• Stress, anxiety, and pressure management
• Motivational difficulties
• Graduation panic, career path exploration
• Self-awareness
• Lack of confidence
• Mental preparation for critical situations
Adult Consultation:
• Challenges related to sports life (professional and hobby level)
• Life management challenges
• General mental well-being
• Performance pressure
• Workplace difficulties
• Communication
• Stress, anxiety, and pressure management
• Motivational difficulties
• Goal setting, career planning
• Self-awareness
• Lack of confidence, self-esteem issues
• Mental preparation for critical situations
• Lifestyle advice, healthy living• Parent consultation
Issues I help with
Book an appoiontment
Take a look at my calendar and pick a time that works for you. Keep in mind that the time you choose will become your regular slot throughout the counseling process. This means we’ll meet at this same time every session, long-term.
If you don’t see a suitable time, feel free to reach out—we’ll get back to you shortly.