Testimonials
Shawn Katz, Ph.D., Psychotherapist, Hove, UK
“I have known Bill for almost 15 years. He is highly skilled, with tremendous depth, intensity and insight. He has always been as committed to his own growth and learning as he has been passionate about his work. He possesses a calm and open-hearted presence and brings to life coaching not only his wisdom and years of experience, but a focused intellect and emotional maturity that is a precious and rare combination.”
Margaret Townsend, International Trainer/Founder and Coach at Connected Leadership, Cape Town
“I have known Bill for almost 15 years. He is highly skilled, with tremendous depth, intensity and insight. He has always been as committed to his own growth and learning as he has been passionate about his work. He possesses a calm and open-hearted presence and brings to life coaching not only his wisdom and years of experience, but a focused intellect and emotional maturity that is a precious and rare combination.”
Christophe Boudet, Chairman of a leading provider of IT support, UK
“I began working with Bill while leading my company through extreme pressure, including major litigation. Later, I returned to him during separation and significant personal change. In both phases, he was the constant.
At the time I was carrying anger, exhaustion and a habit of distracting myself rather than dealing with what was underneath. Bill created a space that felt both safe and steady, but he also wasn’t afraid to challenge me when I needed it. That combination is rare.
He has helped me understand myself more clearly, accept who I am, and take real responsibility for my thoughts and actions. The tools he’s taught me have changed how I handle stress, relationships and decision-making.
Working with Bill is not a quick fix l, it’s an investment in yourself. I would strongly recommend him to high-achieving men, entrepreneurs under pressure, divorced fathers, and anyone navigating a major life transition”
Ryan Morison, Digital Publishing Entrepreneur, UK
“Having successfully sold a business I realised that the success had come at significant expense in terms of my personal wellbeing. Bill’s guidance allowed me to identify what truly makes me happy. I would highly recommend Bill to anyone who wishes to achieve meaningful success while enjoying the journey.”
Abigail Iquo Isuo Peters, Psychotherapist, Workshop Leader, Harley Street, London, UK
"Bill is an insightful, subtle and humble man who has a rare ability of addressing underlying issues and hidden internal structures which cause numerous external and chaotic symptoms in our lives. My work with Bill allowed me to gain a unique perspective about myself and my personal choice of direction and purpose in life. He truly is an inspirational guide."
Jeremy de Tolly, Communication Coach, Cape Town
“I’ve had an incredible 9 months working with Bill. He is an incisive coach and a brilliant spiritual mentor, with acute bullshit detector. Specifically, he’s helped me to work through (and sometimes overcome) some deep relationship patterns, focus and tune my business / work / life direction to a more soul-satisfying direction, and ultimately coached me into a much deeper relationship with my heart. The latter manifest in a much more enjoyable, heart centered day to day experience of life. We’ve also deeply explored a form of practical spirituality - being right here, right now, in the heart… that feels dogma-free, fresh and real. I’m excited about taking the work further and deeper with him. He’s a deeply grounded, loving, and very focused ally to have on my side as I adventure through life.”
Alix Whittal, Homeopath, Tokyo
“I would highly recommend Bill to anybody who needs guidance because he will go straight to what really matters with gentle and unique insight, compassion, and a sense of humour.”
Ruby McGuire, Business and Mindset Queen, UK
“I find it very hard to put into words how much Bill helped me navigate an incredibly difficult time in my life. He helped me understand my triggers, learn how to stay steady when everything felt out of control, and gave me tools I still use every single day. I am stronger and more self-aware because of his guidance.
I have invested in and worked with many people over the years, and Bill stands apart. I cannot recommend him highly enough. He is the person I turn to when I need real depth, clarity, and unwavering, truthful support.”
Cameron McVey, Singer, Songwriter and Record Producer, UK
“i HATE looking back
i HATE talking about myself
i just want to get on with the next thing.
Bill has never judged me for this he’s just made sure i have the tools to get it done.
He’s pretty damn good.”
Zara Vorwerk, UK
"I cannot put into words the immense progress I have made. The past once had me solidly in its grip, but I now move forward with peace, self-belief and grounded determination.
It is a gift and an honour to work with someone so open-minded, so experienced and so supportive, who deeply cares about the very essence of life and our unique contribution to it.
I could never put into words the gratitude I feel for what I have become. Thank you."
Theodore Kyriakos, Psychotherapy/Supervision/Course Facilitator, Healer, USA
“Bill Petrie is one of the most skilful and insightful mentors I have come across. He holds a very grounded spiritual perspective and he creates a very safe, non-judgmental and loving space where difficulties can be explored and one's goals achieved. I will highly recommend him to anybody! I feel truly privileged having known and worked with him!”
Steven Foster & Meredith Little, Founders - School of Lost Borders, California
“Bill is one of the finest people we have had the pleasure to know. We consider him to be a personal teacher...He will always occupy a special place in our history.”
Natalia Baker, Metaphysical Teacher, Author, Retreat & Workshop Facilitator, Cape Town, South Africa
“There are few people I know who have such profound insight, compassion and understanding.”
Paul Carter, Behavioural Neuropsychologist, Wales
“The broad scope of Bill's experience informs his practice in a unique and comprehensive way. Any interactions with him leaves you feeling you have walked away with something tremendously valuable. I cannot recommend him highly enough.”
Elizabeth Appanna, psychotherapist, UK
“Bill has been a steady, innovative backbone to my practice. He brings a rare combination of immense skill and experience alongside a deep capacity to hold space, allowing both depth and breadth for me to find my own way.
His integration of spirituality with grounded scientific understanding of psychotherapy creates a uniquely rich and fulfilling environment. His warmth, generosity and presence make the relational space a genuine pleasure, and I consistently feel deeply affirmed, understood, and supported by him.”
Andrew Newman, Author, Healer, Cape Town, South Africa
“Bill has been a fantastic anchor during a time of considerable change in my life.”
Elizabeth Heren, Psychotherapist, Sesame Practitioner, Facilitator & Supervisor, UK
“I thoroughly recommend his work to all who are interested in transformation.”
David de Waal, Founder of Steeple Low-Commission Estate Agents, Cape Town
“Bill is an amazing person with outstanding insight. He has an uncanny ability to identify issues and then to resolve them in a creative way. He is truly gifted at his work and I can highly recommend him.”
Lara Schachat, Administrative Business Partner / Google | YouTube, London, UK
“Bill provides a clear and grounded sense of what is going on in a person's life. He always held a strong and secure spiritual space of peace for me. It is always exciting working with Bill, as his wisdom and experience is so profound, his credibility through years of practice shines through. Highly recommended, and I'm always grateful for our meeting.”
Jo Bartholomew, Registered Psychotherapist & Personal Lifestyle Coach, New Zealand
"Bill is a compassionate, wise and a genuinely kind human being, who knows the landscape of the souls journey and is willing to walk beside you as you explore this rich terrain. He has wealth of professional and personal experience, this mixed with his hearty sense of humour, makes for a wonderful guide through life."
Oliver Schubbe, Trauma Specialist, Germany
"It is very rare to meet as realistic, competent, intuitive and clinically experienced a professional as he is. I can recommend Bill Petrie without any reservation."
Mark Borchers, Director Sustainable Energy Africa, Director Kagyu Samye Dzong Buddhist Centre, Cape Town
"I have known Bill Petrie for several years, as a friend, co-teacher of meditation and personal growth, and therapist. I have valued several aspects of my time with him. Firstly, his integrity, honestly and humility on the journey of self-exploration. So I trust him. Secondly his extensive experience as a therapist which enable him to be an effective support when travelling the often rocky road of personal and spiritual growth. Third, his broad experience in different spiritual systems of the world, which gives him a perspective and range of approaches well beyond traditional western therapy and spirituality that can be extremely valuable. I think anyone who is working with him is actually very lucky"
Myriel Morley, Psychotherapist, London.
"You helped me greatly, I have never forgotten the work we did."
Jane Watson, Exercise Teachers Academy, Cape Town.
"With your safe space and wisdom. You have saved my life twice. I thank you from the very depth of my being. "
Julian Volz, IT Entrepreneur, Cyprus
"Bill supported me through a very difficult period with an approach that was both deeply whole-hearted and incredibly down-to-earth. He brings years of life wisdom to his work, seamlessly blending his experience in spiritual matters and self-development with a profound understanding of human psychology. His guidance was invaluable to me during my transition and I am still looking forward to talking to him every week."
Sam Talbot, co-founder and managing director, UK
“I’ve had the privilege of working with Bill, and his support has been genuinely transformative. He has a calm, thoughtful way of helping you see things more clearly, especially during moments of uncertainty or change.
Bill listens deeply, asks the right questions, and creates a space where you feel understood and supported without judgement.
Working with him helped me gain clarity, confidence and a stronger sense of direction at key points in my life.
I’m very grateful for the guidance he’s given me and would wholeheartedly recommend him “
Gayle Kent, Cape Town.
"Bill is grounded, present, listens deeply and has a broad knowledge. He has been a valuable and sound support helping me to keep true to my values through devastating times. His gentle and insightful skills allowed me to find meaning and restore hope again in the ashes of a family disaster."
Brett Susan, Cape Town.
"I am eternally grateful for the input that you had on my life in 2014 and 2015 when I was going through a particularly dark patch and I needed your wisdom and counselling. I thought that you would appreciate that the best recognition of your work is to have the understanding that I have met and conquered my demons."
Helene (client and therapist) Netherlands 2026
"Seasoned therapist with warm, empathic and clear approach possessing significant life experience and expertise to address transitions throughout the lifespan.”"
So many others have given testimonials but prefer to remain anonymous.
Here are some of them:
“Bill guided me through a particularly tumultuous time in my professional life which involved being asked to join the family business to implement an agreed succession plan. Needless to say the plan was met with resistance and sabotage which resulted in a lengthy period of disharmony and dysfunction within the family, impacting my personal life. During this time Bill patiently and gently guided closer to an understanding of what really matters in my life. After seven years in the family business I was finally able to gather the resolve to walk away from an unhealthy environment"
“After a short period of time working with Bill I have experienced both increased effectiveness and productivity and a marked difference in my day-to-day positivity and energy. Bill is very much a coach for those who are distrustful of coaching. He is free of pretension and illusion, approaches problems practically, and seems dedicated to applying resources and techniques that work for you as an individual. Most importantly for me, Bill has pathos and humor and I always felt that he understood without judgment, and cared deeply about his clients. I arrived at the coaching in a roundabout way, being initially skeptical of the process, but have now enthusiastically referred several close friends to Bill which is the best endorsement I can give.”
“Through this transition of establishing my practice in the market place, Bill has been a mentor, supporting me as I have addressed the issues of self-doubt, lack of clarity and life’s purpose, ensuring that I am integrating the essence of who I am into my work environment. For this I am deeply grateful.”
“Bill re-opened conversations with myself I had thought were exhausted and re-ignited my interest in exploring new frontiers … He was key in providing independent, objective and compassionate feedback to both my personal and professional quests. I would absolutely recommend him as a skilled and heart-centered professional. “
“Bill is a naturally gifted coach and mentor. He has a deep and holistic knowledge of those factors that affect us at this time, and which contribute to us feeling overwhelmed, experiencing a lack of purpose in life, feelings of stress, exhaustion and self-doubt, as well as feelings of being out of balance. Bill is passionate about his work and his role in assisting his clients in achieving their true potential in this life.
Bill skilfully guided me through a process of getting to know myself, and encouraged me to deeply experience any feelings that arose within this context, always reminding me not to hold any attachment to past events or emotions. In this way, I obtained invaluable support in the difficulties I was experiencing in integrating my work-life situation, and also with the integration of a spiritual life and a disciplined spiritual practice in a busy lifestyle.
Bill always displayed true compassion during our meetings – he is deeply supportive, whilst always respectful of my space and the truths that I needed to uncover for myself.
Through Bill’s guidance and support, significant shifts occurred in my life.
I cannot recommend Bill highly enough.”
“Bill has the kind of wisdom and generosity of presence, which leads one beyond the ‘overwhelm’ and stress of many insistent demands, into a wider perspective… One becomes aware of his profound knowledge of psychological issues which informs his approach; a context which is richly enhanced by his spiritual maturity.”
I went to see Bill during a time of overwhelming stress and imminent loss (of our business). Family relationships were fractured due to legal and financial issues and the future looked bleak. Bill helped me clarify my values and discover practical ways live by them in the distress of that time. He showed me methods of listening deeply for inner wisdom and for strengthening my core. He was particularly insightful in interpreting a significant dream, thereby enabling me to find new life and hope arising out of the turmoil. Through this inner work in sessions with him, I have been able to step forwards into a refreshing, new chapter of my life”
“I found something within myself that I hadn’t realised I possessed and I am beginning to look at myself and my life with fresh eyes as a result.
Thank you”.
“Thank you once again for your heartfelt care and encouragement…The universe showed up for me, and somehow now I have got to show up …I want you to know how pivotal you have been in this for me”.
“I would like to thank you for your caring support and wisdom. For me it was a great experience”
“Thank you so much for facilitating such an extraordinary experience for me”
I can’t thank you enough for creating such a safe space… it was just what I needed”
“A catalyst for growth in an extremely powerful and profound way…I can think of many who would benefit…I can’t tell you how impressed I am.”
“I think what you have been doing is amazing and of huge value to those of us who benefit from your experience.”
“It feels like a door has not only been opened but been flung wide.”
“Four years on I still benefit … Life is slower and more peaceful. I am confident and am far happier and comfortable in my own company.”
“It was a truly life-changing experience and the start of my spiritual journey”
“It was by far one of the most meaningful experiences I have had in a long time and definitely fits in the category of peak experiences for me…”
“Bill is a great teacher and … I learned immensely from him.”
“Bill has guided us with insight, wisdom and maturity. We have all been impressed by his undisputed breadth of knowledge. He comes over as congruent, warm and challenging but not judgmental.
His particular wisdom comes from the crucible of his own suffering.”
“What I can however vouch for is the huge impact and influence Bill’s role as a psychologist, teacher and friend has had on my personal life – something that I will be grateful to him forever.”
“Bill has the vast breadth of knowledge and experience spanning both spiritual and psychological areas… how many individuals out there have this sort of background and experience. I trust and respect him as a leader and as an individual.”
Bill ” taught me that I can trust my own heart …”