Dávid Asztalos

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.