About South Coast Psychology

Founded by Diane Gillespie, South Coast Psychology is a national, multidisciplinary organisation dedicated to mental health and wellbeing, supporting individuals, whānau, organisations, and communities across Aotearoa New Zealand with accessible, professional, and culturally grounded care. An integral part of this foundation has been a commitment to warmth, professionalism, compassion, and walking alongside people rather than simply providing services.

Diane established her private practice in 1999 to support people experiencing psychological distress who needed an alternative to public mental health services. At the time, she was working across the disability, women’s refuge, and education sectors—experiences that shaped a deeply relational, practical, and justice oriented approach to care.

Diane’s work has always been grounded in both professional expertise and lived experience. Her background includes extensive work with women, children, families and whānau, people with disabilities, and individuals impacted by trauma, abuse, brain injury, neurodiversity, and complex mental health challenges. Alongside her clinical work, Diane taught psychology, counselling, conflict resolution, and life skills at the Southern Institute of Technology, contributing to the education of nurses, social workers, educators, and other health professionals.

She holds undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in psychology, with additional training in counselling and psychotherapy, and has undertaken advanced study across a range of therapeutic approaches including traumainformed practice, psychodynamic psychotherapy, CBT, ACT, DBT, attachmentbased therapies, and equine psychotherapy. Diane is a Registered Psychologist, with recognised specialties in trauma and disability, and is an approved provider for ACC, Family Court, and MSD.

As demand for services grew, Diane’s practice expanded to include counselling, psychotherapy, social work, psychiatry, group programmes, Kaupapa Māori services, supervision, training, and the mentoring of students and interns. In 2014, she was awarded an ACC contract for sensitive claims work, later cofounding and leading Southern Psychology before returning to practice as South Coast Psychology.

In 2019, Diane introduced Equine Psychotherapy, drawing together her longstanding connection with horses and emerging evidence supporting horseassisted therapeutic work for trauma and healing. This service is offered from her property in Edendale and remains a unique and valued part of South Coast Psychology’s holistic approach.

In September 2021, South Coast Psychology became South Coast Psychology Ltd, with Diane and her husband Jim Gillespie as directors. In 2023, additional entities were established to support sustainable growth and service delivery across regions beyond Southland, ensuring the organisation’s longevity and legacy. In 2025, South Coast Psychology acquired West Auckland Psychology, not to chase growth for its own sake, but to meet genuine need across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Today, South Coast Psychology continues to grow as a valuesled, multidisciplinary service—committed to meeting people where they are, responding to need with care, and providing mental health and wellbeing services with integrity, respect, and compassion.