"I found the course really informative about the collaborative process and very interactive allowing all participants to ask questions and engage in robust conversations regarding the benefits and challenges of collaborative law. As a non-lawyer it was really inciteful to understand further the responsibilities the lawyers have with collaboration and how we can assist them in the process. The ability to be able to advise both parties and assist in resolving outcomes that they both benefit from or rather make sense of it for both parties is an amazing opportunity rather than operating as a shadow expert where you can only assist one party."

"I loved learning about Collaborative Practice from Clarissa and Shelby, as well as the amazing bonus learning from the whole group - including family lawyers, financial neutrals and other mediators. It felt like I had found my tribe and I am convinced that Collaborative Practice should be the default for separating families. As an FDRP, I am looking for ways to bring more collaboration into my mediation practice, and have already reached out to some of the collaborative professionals that were in my group to assist in mediations. I'm also definitely keen on the idea of providing services as a Collaborative Coach in the future, so watch this space!"

"Completing this course shifted the way I think about communicating and understanding human behaviour - in legal settings and beyond. Clarissa, Shelby, John and Lynda created an engaging, supportive environment that made the learning feel both practical and enjoyable. It was a surprisingly energising way to spend a Friday morning."

"This was one of the best courses I have undertaken for a long time. The presenters Clarissa and Shelby are very knowledgeable and generous with that knowledge. The delivery of the course was relaxed in that you can undertake the course work at your own leisure allowing you to upskill whilst balancing other professional responsibilities. It has made me excited about a new way to practice family law. "

“I am now an FDRP and mediator following years practising as a family lawyer. For me collaborative training felt like a long drink of water when you’re truly thirsty - both affirming and energising in the journey of learning how to support families through separation in a way that is respectful, emotionally intelligent, and genuinely empowering. Importantly, this training doesn’t just offer philosophy; it provides practical tools, templates, and a clear framework to confidently step into Collaborative Practice. It also offered me a meaningful space to meet and train with other practitioners including child experts, financial experts and other lawyers and mediators. I have already integrated aspects of the training into my mediation practice. I am also excited to step into the role of coach, and to work alongside the family lawyers in my area to deliver Collaborative Practice.”

"What a breath of fresh air. The course focuses on a framework that keeps what truly matters at the heart of the matter, while delivering solutions that genuinely serve everyone’s best interests - something that feels both refreshing and deeply needed. Isn’t this how all matters (and life) should be approached ? The team facilitated the course in a natural, warm and engaging way, making it easy to develop a deep, practical understanding of how Collaborative Practice works in real life, particularly when it comes to assisting clients in complex and emotionally charged matters. While many professionals already approach their work collaboratively, the course highlighted how powerful the outcomes can be when clients, lawyers, mediators, coaches, financials are fully aligned with a shared, values driven collaborative framework. Informative, thought-provoking, and genuinely collaborative, this course is highly recommended."

"Thank you Clarissa and team for such a wonderful program. I have truly enjoyed the structure of the program with the weekly catchups and webinars as well as the readings and role plays."

“Completing the collaborative training through Happy Lawyer Happy Life was a highly valuable experience for my practice as a family lawyer. The course was practical, engaging, and easy to manage alongside a busy workload. The weekly online sessions struck a great balance between depth and flexibility. A real highlight was the people involved. Clarissa created a supportive learning environment, and Shelby Timmins and John Thynne added enormous value to the weekly sessions with their insight and experience. It was also a fantastic opportunity to learn alongside a diverse group of professionals, including lawyers, social scientists, financial advisors, and mediators, which enriched the experience and broadened perspectives. The networking opportunities were excellent, and I came away with practical skills and insights that I’ve already been able to apply in my collaborative practice. I would highly recommend the collaborative training to anyone looking to expand their practice”.

"What a fantastic training! Thank you to Clarissa and her team of experts for developing and providing such a structured and streamlined introduction to Collaborative Practice. The training material, provision of zoom links (across different time zones), thought provoking discussions and additional resources were exceptional. All I had to do was show up, engage and be curious. I would recommend this training to anyone slightly intrigued by what Collaborative Practice is and how it can support families in dispute."

"Thank you for a thoughtful, helpful and informative program that has given me confidence to offer collaborative legal services. It was well-delivered and the facilitators and resources used were excellent to answer questions and provide a basis for the interested practitioner."

"I felt genuinely grateful to have happened upon the Happy Lawyer Happy Life Introduction to Collaborative Practice program. As someone who has worked in this space for many years, the course felt validating. It brought language, structure, and practical tools to an approach I had been intuitively moving toward, and confirmed that there is a better way to work with families during separation. The training deeply aligned with my own values and long-held ambitions for how separating families can be better supported. It was also a pleasure to be guided by such skilled and knowledgeable collaborative professionals, alongside the inspiring Clarissa Rayward. I only wish this way of practising had been taught much earlier and hope it finds its way into tertiary education systems soon - especially law schools. If you’re curious about Collaborative Practice, I highly recommend this program."

"Participating in the Happy Lawyer, Happy Life Introduction to Collaborative Practice course with Clarissa Rayward and her amazing team has been an inspiring and empowering experience. This course was exactly what I needed. Clarissa has such a down-to-earth and generous way of teaching - she makes you feel welcome, supported, and inspired from the very first session. I came into the course hoping to learn more about collaborative law, and I left not only with practical tools and confidence, but also with a real sense of connection and purpose. It reminded me why I do this work, and how we can practise law in a way that’s kinder, more human, and truly focused on helping people. If you’re curious about collaborative practice or just looking for a new way to approach family law, I can’t recommend this course enough."

"Just wanted to say thank you for this course. I’ve loved the way it has been run and how it really does allow participants to do it in the time that they can. I really found the Zoom workshops great. I’m really hoping to do collaborative matters moving forward and love the approach of it."

"I completed the Introduction to Collaborative Practice Online Training Course with Clarissa in November 2023. I thoroughly enjoyed attending each week with like-minded professionals, including Clarissa’s team of experts who joined and participated in the sessions each week, in a supportive and candid environment. I have already found myself making changes to my practice and adopting many of Clarissa’s suggestions with our clients and other parties. Collaborative practice is the way of the future for family law (and now many other areas of law), and I am looking forward to attending my first collaborative session in the near future."

“I wanted to reach out and thank you and the team so much for the collaborative workshops thus far. I’m getting so much out of them.   I’ve been putting into practice the lessons and tools, and I’ve had so many happy people leaving consults in the last couple of weeks.  Including a cardiac scientist who emailed after thanking me again. Further, I slightly changed my style of letter writing this week, including using parties’ first names.  As a result, a matter that has been going since mid-2022 has resolved this morning, in terms that my client was seeking (and she gets to keep her dog, which was her main goal). I may have jumped and danced around the office when I received the news that the matter settled. Can hardly contain my excitement!”