Meet 2-time South University Graduate, Diana Huambachano
“My education has truly transformed my life, both personally and professionally. Earning my degrees in psychology and clinical mental health counseling gave me the tools to understand not only others but also myself on a deeper level. It helped me step into a version of myself that I didn’t even know was possible,” shares South University, West Palm Beach graduate Diana Huambachano.Diana is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Florida, who sees clients in her private practice and serves as a leader and advocate for her field. Diana holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (2012) and Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (2016).
“I’ve always had a deep desire to help others heal, grow, and feel empowered in their lives,” Diana says. “From a young age, I was drawn to understanding human behavior and emotional resilience. As I learned more about the mental health field, I realized how vital and transformative this work could be.”
A First-Generation College Student at South University
As the first in her family to earn a college degree, Diana wanted a school where she felt seen and supported. The student-centered environment she found at South University fit the bill. Diana’s first step was earning her bachelor’s degree in Psychology. The program laid the foundation for her understanding of human behavior and sparked her interest in clinical work.“The professors were more than educators. They were mentors who believed in my potential even when I was still learning to believe in myself,” she says. “They created an environment where I felt safe to ask questions, challenge ideas, and grow both academically and emotionally.”
Still, the road to a degree wasn’t easy. Diana appreciated the help of South University instructors and staff, but being a first-generation college student still meant she was less familiar with the complexities of higher education than some of her peers. “I learned through trial and persistence,” she says. “Balancing academic demands, work responsibilities, and personal growth was difficult, but it taught me resilience, discipline, and how to advocate for myself.”
Getting Ready for Clinical Practice with a Graduate Degree
Before long, Diana returned to South University for her Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s degree, successfully juggling school and work thanks to the program’s flexible class scheduling and supportive faculty and staff. “The small class sizes created an environment where I received personalized guidance from faculty who were not only academically accomplished but also deeply invested in student success,” she says.The staff also guided her through practicum placement, licensure preparation, and career readiness. Their assistance, together with her hands-on clinical experiences and internships, helped Diana feel ready for real-world practice.
“Looking back, it wasn’t just the knowledge they gave me. It was the confidence, encouragement, and example they set that helped me step into the professional world with purpose and clarity,” she says. “Their influence is something I carry with me to this day. It's part of what motivates me to mentor and support others in the same way.”
Growing a Counseling Career: From Internship to Private Practice
As a student, Diana interned at the Family Center for Recovery, working with people with complex mental health needs. That internship led to a full-time position as a psychotherapist. In the years since, Diana has served clients in child and adolescent community mental health centers, women’s birth clinics, inpatient psychiatric facilities, substance use treatment programs, parenting programs, nonprofit organizations, and more.“My education helped me find my voice, define my purpose, and create meaningful impact in my community,” Diana reflects. “It changed the trajectory of my life and, through my work, it continues to make a difference in the lives of others every day.”
Today, Diana runs Pivot Counseling Group with another 2016 graduate of the West Palm Beach Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, Laura Giraldo. In this practice, Diana provides personalized therapy to clients navigating issues like anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship concerns, and life transitions.
Becoming a Leader in Mental Health at a Young Age
At South University, our programs emphasize the value of professional involvement, and Diana truly took that lesson to heart. She started volunteering with the Florida Mental Health Counselors Association (FMHCA) as a student and was named Volunteer of the Year in 2012. With FMHCA, she found professional inspiration, mentorship, and connections that would shape her career.Those relationships and experiences eventually led to her becoming the FMHCA Executive Director in 2018. Now, Diana oversees FMHCA’s strategic direction and operations, organizes continuing education programs, and mentors graduate students and new clinicians. She’s heavily involved in planning their annual conference, Florida’s largest gathering of mental health counselors. She even writes about leadership, ethics, clinical practice, and professional development for the FMHCA magazine.
On top of all that, advocacy is a big part of her FMHCA work. “We meet with lawmakers to advocate for mental health policy, licensure protections, and increased access to care,” she explains. “These efforts are critical to shaping the future of our profession and ensuring that counselors and clients alike have a voice in important policy decisions.”
While Dianna is passionate about FMHCA, taking on a leadership role so early in her career was nerve-wracking. “At times, I was the youngest person in the room and had to overcome self-doubt and the pressure of high expectations,” she recalls.
Still, Diana pushed forward, always growing, learning, and leading to the best of her ability. In fact, those experiences increased her empathy and her desire to uplift other young professionals. To meet that goal, Diana founded SAMH Business Consultants, a firm dedicated to training and helping clinicians to build sustainable, ethical practices.
Continuing to Learn, Grow, and Give Back
Diana already has a long list of accomplishments and credentials to her name, but she’s far from done. Her next step is pursuing a doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision. She aims to expand her expertise and reach as a leader, educator, and advocate for the profession.“I plan to write, consult, and eventually teach, sharing the knowledge I’ve gained to help strengthen the counseling community at every level,” she says. “Maybe one day you’ll see me back in the classrooms at South University, this time as a professor. It would be a true honor to come full circle and pour into students the way my professors once poured into me.”
Advice for the Next Generation of Counselors
For Diana, one of the biggest takeaways of her journey so far is the impact of education. “My education opened doors that once felt out of reach and gave me the confidence to pursue leadership roles, start my own businesses, and advocate for the counseling profession on a statewide level. It equipped me with the skills to support clients through their most difficult moments and empowered me to mentor the next generation of mental health professionals,” she says.Her other lesson? The power of volunteering. “Some of the most meaningful opportunities in my career started simply because I said yes,” she asserts. “Getting involved, even in a small way, can create opportunities that change the entire trajectory of your career. Volunteering helps you build relationships, gain real-world experience, and discover your strengths outside the classroom. So my advice is to say yes. Get involved. Raise your hand. Even if it feels a little intimidating, it’s often those moments that lead to the greatest growth.”
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Graduates are required to pass the national certification exam and obtain a state license in order to work in the field. (Exam names vary by program.) Please refer to the State Professional Licensure Determination and National Certification/Licensure section of the University catalog for additional information. South University cannot guarantee each graduate will pass the required licensure examinations. South University does not promise or guarantee licensure, employment, or salary amounts.
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