Meet our psychologist: Renátó Tóth

Where did you complete your studies?

After finishing high school, I earned my Bachelor’s degree (BSc) in Psychology at Babeș-Bolyai University, graduating with a diploma in Behavioral Analysis. I then obtained my Master’s degree (MA) in Work and Organizational Psychology at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics. I completed my specialization as a Sport Psychologist through a joint program between Eötvös Loránd University and the Hungarian University of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, where I am currently a PhD student. In terms of method-specific training, I hold a qualification as an Autogenic Training Instructor and am currently in training as a Schema Therapy Consultant.

What professional experience do you have?

Before my career as a psychologist, I spent 20 years playing ice hockey, the latter part at a professional level, celebrating multiple Hungarian national championship and cup victories with my team, as well as competing internationally. After retiring from competitive sports, I began working with athletes on their mental preparation—a field I still practice today at Hungary’s largest sports club. Naturally, my work is not limited to athletes; for several years I have also worked with adult clients from various professions, both through DokiApp and in my private practice. In addition to individual sessions, I frequently give lectures and lead group development programs, primarily focusing on workplace mental health and performance enhancement.

In what cases can people turn to you?

It is important to clarify that psychologists also have professional boundaries and cannot provide relevant support for every problem—this is why there are multiple areas of specialization and method-specific trainings. Based on my qualifications, self-awareness work, and professional experience to date, I feel most competent in stress and anxiety management, as well as in the mental optimization of performance. I also enjoy guiding self-awareness processes that focus on the present through an understanding of the past, along with other types of sessions aimed at improving personal productivity and mental well-being. A detailed list of the specific areas in which I can help can be found at the end of this article.

Why did you start writing?

While it may seem obvious that the most effective psychological support is provided through individual sessions, I believe—and have observed—that other psychoeducational content, such as the DokiApp blog, can also contribute to mental health promotion and prevention. Ultimately, my main motivation for writing psychological articles is to create relevant content for a wider audience—resources that, beyond prevention, can inspire readers to dedicate more time and attention to their mental well-being.