My Approach to Helping

Unlike larger agencies, I keep my practice small by design. I personal handle every contact and limit my caseload so as to provide the highest quality service to my patients. My style is insight oriented and interactive. I practice from primarily a Psychodynamic and Trauma Informed Approach. I firmly believe a "good fit' between patient and therapist is a crucial component to long term success. My objective is to collaborate with my patients in identifying what they need to work on in therapy and effectively addressing these issues at the root cause so as to improve their quality of life, feel more fulfilled and have healthier relationships.

More Info About My Practice

Life Guidance Associates is a private psychotherapy practice, founded by Heather L. Vargo LCSW in 2003. After a decade of experience working for large counseling agencies where she felt the patients were treated more like a number than an individual, Heather wanted to provide a more compassionate approach for her patients by providing a much more personal experience.

What I Love about Being a Psychotherapist

What I love about being a therapist is seeing my patients get better! I feel so fortunate to be a part of the process of helping navigate someone through the depths of despair, under the weight of life's stressors or in the mist of conflict, cope...heal...and grow. It's then they are able to move forward with improved confidence and success. Whether it's a couple, adult or teen, I love what I do. And I get results. It's truly a privilege to have the opportunity to help make a difference in someone's life.

My Therapy Focus

Initially trained with a Solutions Focused approach 25 years ago (due to the rigid demands managed care companies placed on providers) I?ve become very good at getting results. Fortunately, times have changed and clinicians like myself are afforded the time necessary to not only help patients address their ?presenting problem(s)? but ultimately the underlying issues that cause them. My integrative Psychodynamic and Trauma Informed approach and my integrative style some persistence and a strong therapeutic alliance anyone can resolve unhealthy patterns and finally heal their suffering.

Had a Negative Therapy Experience?

I can't count all the times I had a patient say they tried therapy in the past but didn't find it a helpful experience, or worse, an outright negative one. I think people want an active listener with an objective perspective, not a passive listener with little to no input. Most of my patients don't want to be in therapy indefinitely which is why I employ a more solution focused approach where my patients get the most out of each session.