As a first-time freshman, Gabrielle Lavergne enrolled in the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s biology program with dreams of becoming an OB-GYN.
But on her first day of classes, she walked out of PSYC 110: Introduction to Psychology with a new path in mind.
“I knew I wanted a career centered on human and social interaction, and that first psychology class really solidified my goals,” Lavergne recalls. “I walked over to the Academic Success Center to change my major, and they asked, ‘Are you sure? It’s only the first day!’”
“I was just like, ‘Yeah, I’m sure! This is the major for me.’”
Through UL Lafayette’s B.S. in Psychology degree program, offered online and on campus, Lavergne built a strong foundation to pursue her next goal: earning a master’s degree and starting her career as a clinical mental health counselor.
Determining Her Goals
The Psychology curriculum introduced Lavergne to a broad range of topics, including statistics and measurement, social psychology, developmental psychology, and mental health.
That breadth helped her see the diverse career paths a psychology degree could open, from social services and counseling to teaching and research.
Meanwhile, each psychology course clarified Lavergne’s path, starting with PSYC 345: Fundamentals of Psychopathology, where she learned about the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders.
“PSYC 345 really opened my eyes to counseling as a path that would allow me to help other people cope and overcome their mental health challenges,” Lavergne says.
Later, PSYC 370: Behavioral Modification deepened that interest. She explored applied behavior analysis, a method for understanding why behaviors occur and using that knowledge to build practical skills.
“That class made it even clearer for me that I want to be a clinical mental health counselor.”
Preparing for Her Next Steps
Becoming a clinical mental health counselor usually requires several years of graduate study and supervised practice, but Lavergne began applying her coursework immediately through UL Lafayette’s Students for the Autism Society and a part-time role as a caregiver for a nonverbal adult on the autism spectrum.
“I’ve always felt drawn to working with people with autism,” she says. “There’s something so rewarding about making a breakthrough with somebody who has a hard time communicating.”
Before completing her bachelor's in psychology in 2024, Lavergne joined a psychology practice as an intake coordinator and social media manager.
She greets new clients, collects their medical and insurance information, and schedules appointments.
“I need to be warm, empathetic, and kind to our patients, just as any good counselor or psychiatrist would be, and I take that very seriously,” she says. “I feel like I play an important role in making people feel comfortable so they’re not afraid to reach out to us for support in the future.”
“Having a background in psychology is beneficial because I’m able to gather information from clients on why they’re seeking our services and make suggestions about which of our providers might be the best fit for them.”
Becoming a Counselor
In addition to preparing Lavergne for her first professional role, the B.S. in Psychology prepared her for graduate school. She’s enrolled — and thriving — in an online master’s program for clinical mental health counseling.
“I came into my master’s program with a lot of knowledge on different psychology theories and schools of thought,” she says. “Now I’m gaining a deeper understanding of how those theories apply in practice.”
“I really don’t know how I would have been successful in graduate school if it weren’t for the foundation I gained in the bachelor’s program.”
Access to high-quality online undergraduate courses at UL Lafayette made the transition easier.
“I took a few online psychology classes during undergrad, and it really showed me that online learning works for me,” she says. “I have a hard time sitting in a classroom and staying focused, but that wasn’t an issue with my online courses. I could sit down with the material and absorb it at my own pace in my own way.”
Considering studying psychology? Lavergne says the opportunities are endless.
“If you’re somebody who wants to be a lifelong learner, psychology is a great field for you,” she says. “I love being in a field that’s constantly developing.”
Prepare for careers in social services, mental health care, teaching, and research by earning your bachelor's degree in psychology online from UL Lafayette.
