We recently connected with Diane Lang and have shared our conversation below.

Diane, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear stories from your time in school/training/etc.

The one thing about graduate school for counseling was it felt like therapy. I tell all of my students. In graduate school, I learned so much about myself and why I behave the way I do. Sometimes, the self-awareness was so too much, and I became overwhelmed and scared but it was the start of my healing process. Knowledge is power and the more I knew, the more I realized I could change. My life seemed to open up. All setbacks are teachable/learnable moments and even pain can have a purpose.

Diane, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a counselor, educator, speaker and author. I have been working in the field for over 15 years but started my own business about 6 years ago. I help people through individual coaching and workshops. I love teaching/speaking, it gives me the opportunity to reach a lot of people and give them the tools/resources to live their best life and move forward with action.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

If I could go back, I wouldn’t have wasted my late teens and most of my 20’s being an actor/model. I never enjoyed it. I was in it for the wrong reasons. I was at a time in my life where I wanted acceptance and approval from others, and I thought if I became successful people would like me and I would be happier. I know better now; happiness is an inside job.
Instead, I would have started my career in mental health/self-help right away.
**The bonus- acting helped build my confidence and ability to public speak so even though I regret that time spent on the wrong career, there is always a silver lining.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

I think working on yourself is very beneficial in the self-help/mental health fields. You need to be in a good place to help others. I also realized going through tough or traumatic times helps develop empathy and resiliency which help you help others. Also, as a speaker, sharing your story can help others start their healing journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dianelang.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dianelangcoaching/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dlcounseling
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dlcounseling/