Introduction

"Above all, don't lie to yourself. The one who lies to oneself and believes one's own lies eventually reaches the point where they can't find the truth in themselves or around them, and thus lose respect for themselves and others. And without respect, one cannot love anymore."

Fyodor Dostoevsky

I help clients who don't enjoy the happiness, satisfaction and peace of mind that they desire, and which, - as I often tell them - "they deserve". Sometimes clients are looking for support in making a specific decision or navigating thgouth a crisis situation. Other times they are struggling with an issue going back many years or realize that they keep repeating the same mistake. Some of my clients "simply" wish to improve their their self-understanding and gain an insight into why they behave and feel the way they do. My job is to be a well prepared, compassionate yet independent ally for them as we create positive, lasting changes in their lives.

Kristóf Varga psychologist

I earned an MA in Psychology from Eötvös Loránd University (1989). I pursued further studies in psychology at the University of British Columbia, Canada, during 1985-1986. My second MA in Public Policy is from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health (1997). I completed the International Coaching Federation's 60-hour training in Coaching Methods for Psychologists (2020).
I have gained valuable personal experience in psychological counseling through individual therapy and psychodrama groups. Alongside my counselling work I am running a training company, Pivot Brigade (www.pivotbrigade.com), where we specialize in teaching coping mechanisms for extreme stress, decision-making in uncertain and risky situations, reflexive-directive communication, and effective group functioning under pressure using an experience-based role-play method.

Throughout my career, my focus has been on understanding human behavior and facilitating change, often on a social scale. I have been involved in election campaign communications, community building, worked with politicians and businessmen in the public space, and supported vulnerable communities overcoming discrimination. I have led programs supporting civil society and social progress across four continents and lead research in the psychological drivers behind on-line radicalisation and disinformation sharing.
I believe that a psychologist's most crucial healing tool is themselves. I draw upon these diverse experiences as a valuable resource when working with the equally diverse set of problems my clients bring to our sessions.