Laszlo BUDA, MD, PhD.

I am a medical doctor, psychiatrist, and psychotherapist.

In my early career years, I worked in traditional mental health departments, where I didn’t feel comfortable. However, looking back, this period proved extremely useful and provided me with unique insights into the nature and disorders of the human psyche.
Additionally, I began teaching at the University Medical School of Pécs, transitioning from student to teacher, marking the start of my career in education and lecturing. I taught 13 different subjects from psychology and psíchotherapy to  sociology and ethics, dedicating years to refining and perfecting what and how to teach to make it truly meaningful.

Simultaneously, I embarked on a research journey, investing nearly eight years in collecting, organizing, and publishing material. This rigorous effort culminated in earning a Ph.D. with my thesis focusing on the sociological and psychological correlations of alternative/complementary medicine.

Later, the university commissioned me to establish the country’s first department dedicated to complementary medicine, which I led for several years.

During this period, we undertook pioneering initiatives, such as launching a postgraduate program for „natural lifestyle and medicine advisors.” I enjoyed this work; teaching the basics of psychotherapy and naturopathy to mature adult learners eager for practical knowledge and practicing self-awareness, communication, attention, and counseling together was inspiring.
Meanwhile, I maintained a private psychotherapy practice, led  psychodrama groups, and explored the world of corporate training and executive coaching. All of this gave me extensive experience dealing with various people, groups, and situations. However, I continued to feel restless regarding what the most important professional direction, long-term goal, and life mission for me truly were.

In 2005, I encountered somatic psychotherapy, which proved to be a significant influence on my work a little later.

Body-oriented psychotherapy brought depth, dynamism, and the promise of breakthrough effectiveness to my therapeutic and training work. After many hundreds of hours of further training abroad and at home, I developed a practical insight into the significance of therapeutically connecting the body and the mind.
Together with a dedicated group of colleagues, we established the Hungarian Somatic Psychotherapy Association, a significant milestone in our professional journey. I had the honor of serving as its president for three years. Despite the challenges of managing a civil organization, this period was a testament to our collective passion and commitment. We left an indelible mark on the national professional landscape, with our courses and training sessions drawing in hundreds of eager participants, their eyes alight with enthusiasm.

In 2005, I encountered somatic psychotherapy, which proved to be a significant influence on my work a little later.

Body-oriented psychotherapy brought depth, dynamism, and the promise of breakthrough effectiveness to my therapeutic and training work. After many hundreds of hours of further training abroad and at home, I developed a practical insight into the significance of therapeutically connecting the body and the mind.
Together with a dedicated group of colleagues, we established the Hungarian Somatic Psychotherapy Association, a significant milestone in our professional journey. I had the honor of serving as its president for three years. Despite the challenges of managing a civil organization, this period was a testament to our collective passion and commitment. We left an indelible mark on the national professional landscape, with our courses and training sessions drawing in hundreds of eager participants, their eyes alight with enthusiasm.

From somatic psychotherapy, the progression toward something more cohesive became almost self-evident, eventually culminating in what became known as “SomatoDrama” in 2009.

With this name, I also found what interested me most, what I could believe in, and what I have since deemed worthy of all my support, development, practice, and transmission. The „Healing Play” methodology was developed, which has since been successfully applied by many excellent professionals nationwide.
The SomatoDrama methodology is a unique blend of essential qualities that I hold dear in my work. It is simultaneously explores physical and mental aspects, delves deep into psychological drivers, and liberates from dogma. It is a rich emotional experience, a playful and free approach, and is effective, elegant, and easy to implement. Most importantly, it is a humble approach, always open to learning and evolving.

From somatic psychotherapy, the progression toward something more cohesive became almost self-evident, eventually culminating in what became known as “SomatoDrama” in 2009.

With this name, I also found what interested me most, what I could believe in, and what I have since deemed worthy of all my support, development, practice, and transmission. The „Healing Play” methodology was developed, which has since been successfully applied by many excellent professionals nationwide.
The SomatoDrama methodology is a unique blend of essential qualities that I hold dear in my work. It is simultaneously explores physical and mental aspects, delves deep into psychological drivers, and liberates from dogma. It is a rich emotional experience, a playful and free approach, and is effective, elegant, and easy to implement. Most importantly, it is a humble approach, always open to learning and evolving.

Meanwhile, the methodology of “Ultrabrief Therapy” also gradually matured within me, reaching its current form around 2016-17.

All my personal therapeutic and SomatoDrama experiences are summarized in this brief and effective individual consultation genre. To this day, I am amazed at the significant changes that can start within the duration of a single session if we can achieve the necessary depth and intensity within the available time frame. And importantly, the model is so simple and streamlined that I can confidently pass it on to others through shorter, 3-day “insight” courses and more thorough, longer, in-depth training sessions.

Meanwhile, the methodology of “Ultrabrief Therapy” also gradually matured within me, reaching its current form around 2016-17.

All my personal therapeutic and SomatoDrama experiences are summarized in this brief and effective individual consultation genre. To this day, I am amazed at the significant changes that can start within the duration of a single session if we can achieve the necessary depth and intensity within the available time frame. And importantly, the model is so simple and streamlined that I can confidently pass it on to others through shorter, 3-day “insight” courses and more thorough, longer, in-depth training sessions.

Over the past few years, I have written 3 books, intended for the general public. Two of them („Unread Messages From Your Body” in 2013 and „Unread Messages From Your Soul” in 2016) quickly became bestsellers in Hungary. The third book,  is expected to be published in October 2024, with the title: Unread Messages From Your Life.

I have also written two textbooks for those who wish to master my methods at a professional level.

SomatoDrama. Leading the Healing Play. (2015) and Ultrabrief Therapy. Conducting single-session, profound and effective consultations. (2023)

Over the past few years, I have written 3 books, intended for the general public. Two of them („Unread Messages From Your Body” in 2013 and „Unread Messages From Your Soul” in 2016) quickly became bestsellers in Hungary. The third book,  is expected to be published in October 2024, with the title: Unread Messages From Your Life.

I have also written two textbooks for those who wish to master my methods at a professional level.

SomatoDrama. Leading the Healing Play. (2015) and Ultrabrief Therapy. Conducting single-session, profound and effective consultations. (2023)