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Psychology isn't just about understanding how people think. It's about questioning why we think the way we do, challenging what we assume to be true, and recognizing that human behavior rarely fits neatly into a textbook.
As a psychology lecturer, counselor, and internship coordinator, I spend a lot of time helping students navigate the space between what they're learning and what they'll actually experience.
Because knowing the theory is one thing. Knowing what to do when real life doesn't follow the theory? That's where things get interesting.
Beyond the Textbook
Beyond the Textbook
I've been teaching psychology at The University of Texas at Tyler since 2018, bringing my experience in counseling, mental health, organizational psychology, and leadership into the classroom.
My teaching philosophy is pretty simple: Memorizing information isn't the same as understanding people.
I want students to think critically, ask uncomfortable questions, challenge assumptions, and recognize that psychology isn't confined to therapy offices or research laboratories.
It's happening in our workplaces, relationships, communities, and everyday decisions.
The most meaningful learning often happens when we stop looking for the one "right" answer and start exploring the gray area.
Teaching & Learning
Psychology that goes beyond memorization. Exploring human behavior, critical thinking, and the sometimes uncomfortable questions that make learning meaningful.
Internships & Career Development
Helping students bridge the gap between academic knowledge and professional experience, while discovering what kind of work actually fits them.
Psychology Beyond Borders
Exploring how culture shapes mental health, identity, well-being, and our understanding of what it means to live a meaningful life.
Leadership & Higher Education
Examining the psychology of leadership, organizational behavior, decision-making, and the complicated human dynamics within institutions.
Things I Tell My Students (That Aren't Always in the Textbook)
Things I Tell My Students (That Aren't Always in the Textbook)
“You are never going to feel ready. Ready isn't a feeling. It's a decision.”
“You are never going to feel ready. Ready isn't a feeling. It's a decision.”
A few more lessons from the gray area:
A degree might open a door. Your ability to work with people determines what happens once you're inside.
Being uncomfortable doesn't automatically mean you're doing something wrong.
Critical thinking means being willing to question your own conclusions, too.
Sometimes the most valuable thing you can say is, "I don't know. Let's figure it out."
A Little Academic Context
A Little Academic Context
Lauren S. Deaton, MA, MBA, LPC
The University of Texas at Tyler
Lecturer of Psychology & Counseling | Since 2018
Undergraduate Psychology Internship Coordinator | Since 2021
Courses in career development, industrial-organizational psychology, history of psychology, clinical and counseling psychology, and experiential learning
International study abroad leadership exploring cultural perspectives on psychology and mental health
University committee service, academic leadership, and student mentorship
My work sits at the intersection of education, mental health, leadership, and real-world application. Each informs the others, and that's exactly how I like it.
The Classroom Is Just One Place We Learn
The Classroom Is Just One Place We Learn
Some of the most important lessons about human behavior happen outside a classroom.
Whether I'm teaching future psychology professionals, working with counseling clients, or speaking to organizational leaders, the goal is the same: helping people understand themselves, understand others, and navigate the complicated spaces in between.
Because life rarely gives us multiple-choice answers.
The Classroom Is Just One Place We Learn
The Classroom Is Just One Place We Learn
Some of the most important lessons about human behavior happen outside a classroom.
Whether I'm teaching future psychology professionals, working with counseling clients, or speaking to organizational leaders, the goal is the same: helping people understand themselves, understand others, and navigate the complicated spaces in between.
Because life rarely gives us multiple-choice answers.
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