“I’ve never had a fairy godmother before.”
Libby
My work is discreet and highly confidential, so it is lovely when I can share feedback from clients and the family lawyers who refer their clients to me to help demonstrate the transformative effects of my coaching and writing. Here are just some of the comments I have had about my work.
Client testimonials
“I literally could not have done this without you.”
“You were my anchor in a stormy sea”
“Danielle came into my life as I was trying to recover from an unexpected and very painful separation from my husband of 32 years, who had embarked on an affair. With her humour, lovely warm personality and wisdom she helped me forge ahead to a brighter future.”
“I have tried many before Danielle and never thought they were of any benefit.
“I cannot express my gratitude to you for your wise words. they stay with me between appointments. When my emotions cloud my path, I do find your words ring in my ears and bring strength and the ability to see things more clearly”
“Danielle is amazing. I have tried many before Danielle and not ever thought they were of benefit.”
“Thank you as always for your wisdom, and support. I could not have done this without you.”
“I’ve never had a fairy godmother before.”
“I can’t thank you enough for your balance, sanity and support. You do such an amazing job and you will stay with me forever.”
“Thank you for our session. I feel so much better. I have clarity about where I am and why. You are a miracle worker.”
“Your work is not just about listening and supporting. It is about asking the right questions, which change everything. Our first session blew me over. I literally could not have done this without you.”
“Thank you for your time. Our conversations were invaluable, they helped me to get perspective on my situation and understand that the environment that I was living in was not right. Not only that, but you helped me manage one of the toughest decisions of my life and the complex discussions and emotions that were created by my decision. The last 6 months have been some of the hardest of my life and without you I would not be where I am today. You made me realise my own strength and how I endured such a difficult relationship for so many years. I no longer take responsibility for things that are not my own responsibility and have regained a sense of self that I haven’t been able to maintain for years. This experience has not only strengthened my marriage but also strengthened my closest relationships and to you I am very thankful for that. In fact, upon rereading my email I am very thankful to you for so many things. You are a very special lady!”
Family lawyer testimonials
“The clients whom I have referred to you continue to be extremely grateful for the support that you provide. I have just referred a colleague to you as well. I am sure they would benefit from the clarity of thought in which you specialise.”
“At Mills and Reeve we have sent a significant number of clients to Danielle and they have derived great benefit from her skills. I have recently sent her a client who described the hour that he spent with her as the most insightful of his life.”
“When I think of the clients I have referred for divorce coaching, the overwhelming theme is that they just cannot make sense of what has happened to them, and is still happening, whether they have instigated a separation or had one imposed on them. They often have no point of reference to know that they will get through that period of their lives in time and therefore feel that an unhealthy past is better than an uncertain future. You push their perceptions of the relationship so that they see it for what it really was. By doing so they learn that the relationship wasn’t healthy, they learn to find their own voice again, often learn to like themselves again and realise that being single again isn’t actually the end of their world.”
“I have referred clients to Danielle for many years, whether they have instigated a separation or had one imposed on them. They often have no point of reference to know that they will get through that period of their lives in time and therefore feel that an unhealthy past is better than an uncertain future. They need coping mechanisms for the short, medium and long term. They need to be able to make clear decisions even in situations that they would prefer not to be in. Danielle not only provides the crucial support they need to make those decisions but also often pushes their perceptions of the relationship so that they see it in new light. By doing so they learn to find their own voice again.”
“Many people I work with are taking the first steps to leaving a difficult relationship. They are often scared to do so because they been repeatedly made to feel like they are worthless and told they will get nothing if they try to leave. I can help with the legal process and obtaining the best outcome for them. I can also provide some support and reassurance but I am not trained to provide the emotional support they need and nor is it cost effective for them to use me for that purpose. Having Danielle to help them see a way through and rebuild their confidence empowers them by: - learning strategies to stop them falling apart when anything negative comes from their former partner, being able to process information calmly so that they do not have knee-jerk reactions nor provide frequently changing instructions which will increase their legal fees, building confidence to hold out for what they need and are entitled to, and managing child arrangements so that they can avoid the triggers which would otherwise lead to conflict.”
“I am not trained to provide the emotional support they need and nor is it cost effective for them to use me for that purpose. You provide ‘a metaphoric protective shield’; you help them to process information calmly so that clients don’t have kneejerk reactions nor provide me with haphazard instructions which regularly change; you give clients the confidence to hold out for what they need and are entitled to.”
“I refer clients to Danielle to help them understand and deal with the emotional side of a separation. Helping them to find the strength and clarity they need to make decisions that will often impact them in the long term, at a time when they probably feel ill equipped to do so. Danielle is truly excellent at this. Like most family solicitors, I want to help my clients and hugely empathise with what they are going through. However, my role is to give legal advice and guide clients through the legal process. Having Danielle on board to help clients enables them to better focus on the practicalities, give clearer instructions and make better decisions. It’s a team-based approach, all intended to help a client though what is a really difficult process.”
“I have known and worked with Danielle now for a number of years. Having historically been slightly unsure and unclear as to the role of a divorce coach or the value that they could add, Danielle’s warm personality and her obvious people skills persuaded me to give it a go and refer a client to her. I recall very clearly the first lady that I referred to Danielle. I had been representing her for quite some time. Despite the passage of time since her separation she was still struggling significantly with her emotions and she cried throughout every meeting or telephone conversation that we had. This was impacting upon my ability to advise her and her ability to hear advice and make decisions based on anything other than hurt and pain.
Unfortunately, the client was still in regularly daily contact with her estranged husband due to the nature of their work. This had made it almost impossible for the client to move on emotionally. I recommended that she meet with Danielle. The impact was instant. After she had met with Danielle on only one occasion she no longer cried in our appointments and she was able to focus on finding a way forward. She was able to listen to advice and make informed decisions based on fact and practical considerations rather than purely based upon emotion. I began giving Danielle’s name to every new client that I met. Not surprisingly many clients were resistant to seeking help from a coach either due to financial commitments and constraints or because they genuinely believed that they did not need help or support etc. Without exception every client that has taken up the suggestion and made contact with Danielle has felt the benefit of working with her and has given very positive feedback.
More recently I have felt is very helpful to recommend to clients that they speak with Danielle if they are at a crossroads. Many clients instruct me when they have yet to decide finally if their marriage is at an end and they are struggling to make a final decision. Danielle has helped clients clarify their thoughts and decide on the best way forward. This is invaluable. It is a skill set that falls well outside of my own and those of other family lawyers and I realise now that looking back at the many years I had in practice prior to referring to a Divorce Coach, there was a significant gap in the service that I was offering to my clients. Danielle fills that gap. I will continue refer clients to Danielle with the confidence that she will able to assist clients in advance of making a final decision to separate, throughout the process of their separation and divorce and equip them with the tools they need to move forward with their new lives.”
“I just wanted to thank you for all of your assistance you offer to all of my clients. When I refer them to you, I know they are in safe hands.”
“I will never do a collaborative case again without you.”
Book Reviews
“When I read your book, it was like reading my own life story! I couldn’t put it down and read it in one sitting!”
“Danielle’s book is a little piece of sanity in a crazy world. When everything in my life was falling apart, it gave me the belief to keep going. It made me realise I was not alone and this can happen to anyone - knowing that really helps. It’s an easy to read, practical and no-nonsense guide that you will find yourself turning to over and over again. It won’t solve your divorce problems for you, but it will give you the strength and resolve (and handy tips!) to solve them yourself. Buy it today - you won’t regret it.”
“I have read Danielle’s book a couple of times; it feels like I’ve sat down and dictated to her how my life has been this last year. I’ve found it upsetting, cathartic and helpful at the same time.”
“After The Split is a must-have book if you are separating. It will anchor and prepare you for new beginnings.”
Coaching
“Very strong, very sophisticated coaching.”
“What I saw from Danielle was very strong, very sophisticated coaching. She has a very professional coaching style. As a coach, I rate her highly. She demonstrates the ability to really build a safe environment and rapport with her clients through empathy and makes good use of humour to lighten the mood and inject energy. Her questioning is gentle yet sophisticated. What really stands out is Danielle’s ability to move her clients on to a positive mindset.”
“Danielle has a wonderful coaching style which ensures progress towards her client’s objectives. She builds a safe environment and rapport with her clients through empathy, and makes good use of humour to lighten the mood and inject energy when appropriate. Her questioning is gentle yet sophisticated, with care in sensitive areas. What also stands out is Danielle’s ability to champion her clients and move them to a positive mindset. I highly recommend Danielle as a coach.”