Frank E. Vargo Ph.D. Ed.D.
Dr. Vargo is a:
Licensed Psychologist License #6693
Commonwealth of Massachusetts (USA)
Registered Health Service Provider
Commonwealth of Massachusetts (USA)
Licensed School Psychologist Commonwealth of Massachusetts (USA) (retired status)
Nationally Certified School Psychologist
NCSP Certification # 18985 (retired status)
Dr. Frank E. Vargo is a licensed psychologist and registered health service provider, a clinical and developmental neuropsychologist, and a licensed school and educational psychologist. He is an internationally recognized expert in the inter-disciplinary fields of applied clinical and educational psychology, neurodevelopmental disorders and related clinical/medical syndromes, learning disabilities and special education, and clinical child psychology and development. Dr. Vargo is a highly respected adult, child, and family therapist, as well as a licensed educator, counselor, and clinical and educational administrator and supervisor.
Dr. Vargo is the Executive Director and lead clinician of the Fireside Center Clinic for Psychological and Educational Services (USA) , and he is the Chief Executive Officer for the Learning and Teaching International organization.
Dr. Vargo is a Staff Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Practice Associate with the TAK Center for Mental Health in Leominster, Massachusetts. Through his practice affiliation with the TAK Center, Dr. Vargo provides adult psychological and clinical mental health services. Dr. Vargo's clinical specializations in that practice include psychotherapy interventions for the following issues: Clinical Depression; Anxiety Disorders and Panic Disorder; Emotional Trauma Disorders; Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; Bipolar Disorder; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Neurodevelopment Disorders; Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorders; Grief and Grieving Processes; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Life Adjustment and Life Transitional Issues .
Dr. Vargo specializes in a range of clinical treatment modalities and interventions, that include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapies (CBT); Psychodynamic Based and Insight-Oriented Psychotherapies; Trauma-Involved Psychotherapies; Positive Psychology Psychotherapy; Transpersonal Psychology Psychotherapy; Grief Counseling and Psychotherapy; Family Therapy; Marriage Counseling; and Group Psychotherapy.
Dr. Vargo is also a Staff Clinical Psychologist and Clinic Practice Associate at the Advanced Psych Services Psychiatric and Mental Health Center in Worcester, Massachusetts. Through his practice affiliation with the Advanced Psych Services Center, Dr. Vargo provides a wide range of clinical psychology and related clinical mental health services to adults and adolescents with psychiatric and psychological issues and concerns that include: Clinical Depression; Generalized Anxiety Disorder; Panic Disorder; Developmental Trauma Disorders; Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Bipolar Disorder; Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorders; Addiction Disorders; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; and related psychiatric and psychological disabilities.
Dr. Vargo has presented extensively at professional and international conferences over the past twenty years, including a recent keynote speaker presentation in Venice, Italy and at a recent international educational conference in London, England.
Dr. Vargo is also a highly respected author and research scientist, who is widely published in the fields of psychology, education, counseling, and learning disabilities. He is a consulting editor for several professional peer reviewed clinical and educational journals, and he is on the board of directors for the Learning Disabilities Worldwide organization.
Dr. Vargo's recently published book, Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Definitive Guide for Educators (published by W.W. Norton & Company) is currently selling worldwide and is internationally acknowledged as an important contribution to the interdisciplinary fields of clinical and educational psychology, education and special education, psychiatry, and pediatric and developmental medicine.
Professor Vargo has held previous positions as a university professor for a number of graduate programs in psychology, education, and clinical mental health counseling. He has also held a previous appointment as a credentialed psychologist at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (USA).
Dr. Vargo has held appointments with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as a Special Education Advisory Council Member (appointed by the Commissioner of Education) , and as a committee member involved in the development of eligibility guidelines for special education in Massachusetts.
Dr. Vargo has also been a Professional Affiliate & Supervising Associate for the Hubert Humphrey International Fellowship Program , a component of the Institute of International Education in Washington D.C. In that capacity, Dr. Vargo has provided direct professional training and formal supervision in areas of psychology, school psychology, and education/special education within the context of an international fellowship program with the United States government and a participating nation and national educational and health programs.
Under Dr. Vargo’s leadership, the Fireside Center Clinic and the Learning & Teaching International organization has previously maintained a partnership with the University of Massachusetts Medical School and the UMass Medical School’s Disability Evaluation Services (in conjunction with the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance), to perform disability determinations for recipients of the department’s Transitional Aid to Families With Dependent Children program. In addition, the University of Massachusetts Medical School Learning Disability Assessment Program has previously worked in conjunction with Dr. Vargo and the Fireside Center to provide assessment services to individuals in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts who may qualify for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and who also may have undiagnosed learning disabilities that may impact on capacities to obtain work and retain employment.
Dr. Vargo has been a practicing school psychologist with many years of direct experience in public and private school systems. He has provided extensive direct professional supervision and training to school psychologists throughout the New England area.Dr. Vargo’s Academic Degrees and Educational Credentials include:
DOCTOR OF EDUCATION IN EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY (Ed.D.) Concentrations in Learning Disabilities - Child Psychology and Counseling Formal Post Doctoral Internship/Training in Applied Clinical Psychology American International College Springfield, Massachusetts (USA)
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (Ph. D.) Major: Educational Leadership Simmons University Boston, Massachusetts (USA)
CERTIFICATE OF ADVANCED GRADUATE STUDIES (CAGS) Concentration: School Psychology (60 graduate credits) Northeastern University Boston, Massachusetts (USA)
MASTER OF ARTS IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY (M.A.) Dual Concentrations: Clinical Developmental Neuropsychology and Developmental Science Applied Clinical Practice of Developmental Disorders and Special Education Union Institute and University Brattleboro, Vermont Campus (USA)
MASTER OF EDUCATION (M.Ed.) Concentration: Guidance and Counseling Fitchburg State University, Fitchburg, MA (USA)
BACHELOR OF MUSIC (B.M.) Concentrations: Music Education & Music Performance Berklee College of Music Boston Massachusetts (USA)
Dr. Vargo’s post-doctoral neuropsychology training partially occurred within the context of his appointment as a Staff Psychologist/Clinical & Developmental Neuropsychologist at the North Shore Children’s Hospital Salem, Massachusetts (1995-2004). His responsibilities in that position included: comprehensive neuropsychological, cognitive, emotional, and educational evaluations; clinical and counseling interventions to children and adolescents; consultation to parents, school systems, and medical personnel. That position also provided ongoing intensive training in developmental and clinical neuropsychology, as well as ongoing training in the assessment and treatment of learning disabilities and neuropsychological disorders of children, adolescents, and adults. In addition to his tenure at North Shore Children's Hospital, Dr. Vargo also completed a post-doctoral master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with a dual concentration in School Neuropsychology and Clinical Child Development, with a secondary concentration in applied clinical practice in Special Education.
Dr. Vargo holds the following professional licenses, credentials, and appointments :
Licensed Psychologist (Commonwealth of Massachusetts - License #6693)
Registered Health Service Provider (Commonwealth of Massachusetts)
National Provider (Psychologist ) National Plan and Provider Numeration System (USA)
Nationally Certified School Psychologist (National Association of School Psychologists - retired status)
Licensed School Psychologist ( MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education - retired status)
Licensed Guidance Counselor ( MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education - retired status)
Licensed School Social Worker ( MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education - retired status )
Licensed School Adjustment Counselor ( MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education - retired)
Licensed Music Educator (MA/USA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education - retired status)
Member - American Psychological Association
Fellow in Psychology & Member - Massachusetts Psychological Association
Member - National Association of School Psychologists - retired status
Member - Massachusetts Teachers Association - retired status
Board of Directors and Member: Learning Disabilities Worldwide Association
Professional Affiliate & Supervising Associate: Hubert Humphrey International Program
Consulting Editorial Board Member: Insights on Learning Disabilities (Journal)
Consulting Editor: Learning Disabilities: A Contemporary Journal
Former Special Education Advisory Council Member: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Former Committee Member: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Former Elected School Committee Member (Leominster, Massachusetts/USA)
Former Staff Neuropsychologist: North Shore Medical Center in Salem, Massachusetts
Some of Dr. Vargo’s International Awards include:
Massachusetts House of Representatives Citation and Congratulations
Citation Reads:
"Be it known to all that the
Massachusetts House of Representatives
offers its sincerest congratulations to
Frank E. Vargo, Ed.D. in recognition of your untiring efforts and commitment
to improving the quality of life for our youth, adolescents, and adults through your skills and knowledge in Educational, Clinical, and School Psychology, as well in music and the martial arts".
Given this 14th day of September, 2012
At the State House in Boston, Massachusetts
by: Robert A DeLea Speaker of the House
Dennis A. Rosa State Representative
Clinical Psychologist of the Year
World Sports Medicine Hall of Fame
March 25, 2000 in Akron, Ohio
Sport Psychologist of the Year
World Sports Medicine Hall of Fame
March, 2001 in Akron, Ohio
Educator of the Year
United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame
July, 2003 in Dallas, Texas
Humanitarian of the Year
United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame
July, 2003 in Dallas, Texas
Ethel S. Blake Teaching Fellowship
Honored Recipient:
Three Consecutive Years (9/89 - 6/92)
American International College
Springfield, Massachusetts
Dr. Vargo also expresses his educational interests and contributions as a professional musician/music educator and as a professional martial arts instructor .
In regard to his musical pursuits, Dr. Vargo has a bachelors degree from the Berklee College of Music, with concentrations in music education and music performance. He is professional pianist (jazz/classical), bassist (classical double bass/ bass guitar), guitarist, composer, music producer, and teacher. Dr. Vargo has previously held a license as a music educator in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (USA).
In the world of martial arts, Dr. Vargo is an internationally recognized martial arts expert and educator who holds the following internationally recognized ranks and credentials:
9th degree black belt: Zen Tsuru Ken Karate Jutsu 9th degree black belt: Chiedo Ryu Aikido Jujutsu 5th Degree Blackbelt: Kokon Ryu Kempo Karate 5th Degree Black Belt: Saigo Ryu AikiJutsu 3rd degree black belt: Shotokan Karate Do 1st degree black belt: Kumiuchi Ryu Jujitsu Sifu/Teacher: Baihe Quan Sil Lum Kung Fu Sifu/Teacher: T'ai Chi Chuan
Dr. Vargo resides in Leominster, Massachusetts (USA), with his wife and practice associate Cindy Pirro Vargo.
Contact information:
Dr. Frank E. Vargo
162 Exchange Street
Leominster, MA 01453
e-mail: [email protected]
(978) 534-2930
(The Fireside Center)
www.LTI-FiresideCenter.com