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Dávid Asztalos

RELATIONSHIP MEDIATION FOR EXPATS

Dávid Asztalos

Asztalos Dávid mediátor

Dávid Asztalos

Relationship Mediation For Expats

Compassionate

I understand how much fear, shame, and sadness can accompany the decision to seek outside help for your relationship. I will honor that courage in every word I say and every gesture I make.

Confidential

No one will know you're working with me. I keep all notes fully anonymized, make no recordings of our sessions, and never share any information about you with anyone else — ever.

Balanced

I do not take sides — neither partner is favored. I do not assign blame, pass judgment, or become a confidant to one against the other. My commitment is to support both of you equally, as you work together toward resolution.

Certified

I earned my mediation certification at the University of Pécs and my teaching degree at Eötvös Loránd University. In addition to my private practice, I volunteer at the Budai Egyszülős Központ, offering support to single-parent families.

Reliable

I never cancel sessions without serious cause, and I’m always reachable — if you leave a message, I will call you back. Every email receives a reply within 24 hours. I also respectfully decline any attempts to contact me without the other party’s knowledge or consent.

Outcome-focused

My approach is focused, efficient, and solution-driven. Mediation takes less time, costs less money, and is emotionally lighter than traditional couples therapy — not to mention far less costly than divorce.

Testimonials (anonymized)

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I appreciated how genuine and sincere you were.

I read your interviews, and that’s one of the reasons I chose you. For me, experience is just as important as knowledge-and in our case, your background felt genuinely relatable. I’m really glad to know you and to feel that I can reach out to you anytime.

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A very open and friendly approach.

You helped ease the tension we brought with us, which made it much easier to speak openly and honestly and to face the issues, knowing you never judged me for my mistakes or struggles. For me, that was unusual-but deeply reassuring and comforting.

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I never felt judged.

I felt that what I said truly mattered. It meant a lot to me that, even when our time was up, you sometimes stayed so we could finish our conversation. Being human and caring-that’s what matters most to me in such a vulnerable situation. Thank you!

Does seeking help from a mediator mean you should feel ashamed?

Some people think that going to couples therapy or mediation means their relationship is doomed, or that they’ve done something terribly wrong. That belief often comes with a sense of shame. Cultural expectations — like the myth of the perfect relationship — tell us that strong couples should be able to manage everything alone. But in my experience, it’s quite the opposite. Reaching out for help is not a sign of failure — it’s a courageous and conscious step toward healing.

Feeling hesitant to take the first step?

It’s perfectly understandable if you’ve been putting off mediation. Opening up in this way means facing your vulnerability — and there’s always a chance that unresolved wounds and painful moments from the past may come to the surface. That can be scary, especially if past communication between you didn’t feel safe. Mediation offers a structured space where you can talk about your pain and vulnerability with care and control. I’ll be there to support you and make sure that any difficult emotions that arise remain manageable.

What if other people find out?

It’s common to fear that attending therapy or mediation will look like failure in the eyes of others. Sadly, that stigma still exists — and people often find it easier to judge than to understand. But the harshest critics won’t be the ones to help you fix what matters. Only you two get to decide what your relationship needs, and how you care for it is no one else’s business.

What if mediation only makes things worse?

Speaking openly about problems can sometimes escalate conflict — and in some cases, deeply shake the relationship. But this can happen even without mediation. The key difference is that in mediation, you have far more control. It helps you stay calm, stay heard, and find ways forward that you can both live with.

Mediation takes too much time and money!

It's true — getting professional help can be expensive and time-consuming. The lack of a fixed timeline is especially hard when money is tight. That’s why I keep my rates lower than average and also offer volunteer work where possible. And while it may sound harsh, mediation almost always costs less than divorce — or than dealing with the physical and emotional consequences of a long-term relationship breakdown.

Thinking about coming — but your partner won’t go for it?

If your partner isn’t ready, you’re still welcome to come alone. In many relationships, both people want change — just not always at the same pace. One person may be open, while the other resists, denies, or puts all the blame on their partner. Mediation can’t be pushed on anyone. That’s why I offer individual sessions too — they give you a place to start, and leave the door open for your partner to join later.

What if your partner doesn’t speak Hungarian?

I speak English fluently and I’ve worked with many mixed-language couples. Because of my training and background, I understand the cultural differences that often shape how we relate and communicate. Mediation itself is a universal practice. Its origins reach back to the earliest human societies, and its modern form is used around the world.

What’s the difference between mediation and couples therapy?

Couples therapy and relationship mediation serve different purposes. Therapy often takes a longer-term view, working through emotional patterns and attachment issues. Mediation, on the other hand, is a focused, time-limited method aimed at resolving specific conflicts and making practical progress. One doesn’t replace the other — they’re simply meant for different needs. And just to be clear: a mediator is not a couples therapist.

Is there a risk that the mediator might take sides?

No. And it’s important enough to say it again: no. Worrying about favoritism is completely understandable, especially if you’ve heard about bad experiences with unprofessional mediators. But a qualified and ethical mediator is strictly neutral. The mediator doesn’t represent one party or the other. Unlike in a courtroom, the goal is never to assign guilt or victimhood. The aim is always to find a shared solution — in a safe and balanced environment.

Does mediation actually work?

Mediation has a demonstrably high success rate — especially when both parties are willing to engage in the process. It doesn’t always lead to reconciliation, but it often helps clarify misunderstandings, bring unspoken tensions to the surface, and reach agreements that feel acceptable to both sides — whether the couple stays together or separates. International studies show that 60–80% of family and relationship mediations result in some form of agreement. [1][2]. And even when no final agreement is reached, many people say that mediation helped them gain clarity, understand one another more deeply, or move closer to a solution.

Session Fees

The length of the mediation process can vary-in simpler cases, 4 to 5 sessions may be enough. Participation is voluntary, and you can choose to stop at any time. We’ll go over the terms and conditions during our first in-person meeting.

Initial consultation by email or phone (15 minutes)

FREE

Mediation session for couples in English (90 minutes)

HUF 25,000

1:1 session in English or Hungarian (60 minutes)

HUF 15,000

Follow-up session 4 to 6 weeks after the process ends (60 minutes)

FREE

Still have questions? Call me at +36 (30) 222 8260, or email me, and I will respond within 24 hours.

Get in touch

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