It's Complicated

Zsuzsa Menczel PhD

(she/her)

Psychologist & Counselling Psychologist

Available for new clients

I specialise in:

At a glance
Budapest, HungaryAvailable in-person and online
Usually responds within 24 hours

About me

I’m a counselling psychologist with over 20 years of experience, holding a PhD in psychology with research focused on exercise dependence. I work with adults facing life challenges such as performance pressure, burnout, identity questions, relationship difficulties, and major life transitions. My goal is to create a space where clients can explore their experiences honestly, gain insight into underlying patterns, and develop strategies that are sustainable and meaningful.

Many of my clients feel stuck or overwhelmed by expectations—either those they place on themselves or those imposed by others. This can show up as stress, fatigue, or a sense of disconnection from themselves. I also work with people navigating divorce or raising children alone, helping them manage the emotional, practical, and relational challenges that come with these situations.

Over the years, I have gained extensive experience working with individuals under high performance or optimization pressure, athletes, and people struggling with eating disorders. I bring professional expertise and practical insight to support each person in finding balance, understanding patterns, and building coping strategies that work for their unique situation.

I speak:

Hungarian

Location:

1147 Budapest, Hungary

Approach

Treatment Approaches
CounsellingRecommended for those who want to talk through their emotional challenges with a professional in a safe, supportive environment.
Integrative therapy Recommended for those who prefer a flexible approach that combines different therapies to meet their unique needs.
Schema therapyRecommended for those who want to break out of negative patterns or "schemas" that they developed early in life and keep repeating.

My therapeutic approach is integrative and tailored to each client’s unique situation and needs. I draw from a range of evidence-based methods and creative techniques, selecting the most appropriate tools depending on the issues and goals that arise in our work together. I see therapy as a collaborative process, where the client’s experience, insight, and pace guide the direction of our sessions.

Some of the methods I use include supportive dialogue, schema therapy, transactional analysis and game analysis, and psychodramatic techniques. I also incorporate Katathym Imaginative Psychotherapy, symbol- and relaxation-based methods such as autogenic training and mindfulness, as well as art therapy and cognitive-behavioral interventions. Rather than following a fixed protocol, I focus on choosing the approach that resonates with the client and addresses the underlying dynamics of their situation.

In sessions, my style is reflective, engaged, and practical. I aim to create a space where clients can explore their thoughts and emotions safely, notice patterns that may have been invisible, and experiment with new ways of understanding and responding to challenges. I encourage active participation, reflection, and dialogue, while offering guidance and structure when needed. My goal is to help clients gain insight, build coping strategies, and create meaningful change that fits their life, rather than providing quick fixes or generic solutions.

I am flexible in adapting methods to the client’s preferences, comfort, and progress, always prioritizing what is most helpful at the moment. Whether addressing performance pressure, burnout, identity conflicts, relationship issues, or life transitions, my focus is on supporting each person in finding clarity, balance, and a sense of agency.

I offer therapy exclusively in Hungarian to ensure the highest level of emotional depth and professional nuance in our work.

Services

Individual Session

€85 50 min Online & In-person

Group Session

€40 1 hr Online & In-person

Individual Session

Sliding scale
€75 1 hr Online & In-person

Insurances

Private Pay
At a glance
Budapest, HungaryAvailable in-person and online
Usually responds within 24 hours

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Next available: Aug 17