Diane Bigler, MSW, LCSW, LSCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Missouri and Kansas. She has over 20 years of experience in the fields of psychology, social work and mental health. Prior to her career in social work, Diane was a Criminal Investigator for the Robertson County District Attorney’s Office in Tennessee, on a Crimes Against Minors task force; completing investigations in child abuse, human trafficking, missing persons, sexual assault, and homicide. Diane completed two field internships at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, while obtaining her Associates and Bachelor’s degrees in Criminal Justice, and during post-graduate work.

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Diane was an Adjunct Professor of Social Work at The University of Kansas, School of Social Welfare for 10 years, where she obtained her Master’s degree in Social Work in 2006, with clinical concentrations in Children & Families and Mental Health. Diane taught classes in the Clinical Master’s program, which includes: Clinical Social Work Practice, Loss and Grief, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Family Therapy, Advanced Standing Practice, and Mental Health & Psychopathology. Additionally, Diane was a Field Liaison and Community Education trainer for the School of Social Welfare. Diane was the recipient of the Adjunct Professor of the Year award in 2017, and the Margo Award for Excellence in Field Instruction in 2020.

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Diane has two decades of clinical experience in psychiatric hospitals, outpatient clinics, and in the provision of in-home and community-based therapy. She has also functioned in leadership and supervisory positions as a teacher, mental health consultant, clinical supervisor, and program coordinator. Diane maintained a clinical supervision practice where she supported over 50 social workers in their journey of obtaining a clinical social work license.

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Diane has facilitated hundreds of trainings locally and nationally in recent years, to audiences comprised of mental health professionals, physicians and nurses, teachers, police officers, business personnel, and local City Council members. Diane enjoys the creativity that comes with envisioning and designing trainings, and aims to provide trainings that are informative, engaging and skill-building.

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Diane was the Performance Solutions Director at New Directions Behavioral Health in Kansas City, MO. She customized and facilitated leadership and corporate trainings to EAP customers, on topics such as Supporting Employees with Personal Problems, The Value of Emotional Intelligence, Dealing with Difficult Employees, and Facilitating Team Meetings. Diane also provided executive leadership coaching to managers and CEO’s.

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Outside of her professional life, Diane loves to spoil her four rescue Dachshunds (Mavis, Jerry, Daisy and Hank). She also volunteers with Serve KC, Kansas City Hospice, and Harvesters Food Bank. Diane is a child of the 80's and loves anything from that era - including being a groupie of 80's cover bands.