About.
Heather Laskaris Vargas, PsyD
I am a licensed psychologist in the states of Oregon and Florida that views psychotherapy as a journey of self-discovery.
I believe that throughout our lives, we find creative ways to adjust, adapt, and respond to circumstances and experiences. Sometimes, these adaptations serve us well, whereas other times, they can lead us to feel stuck, empty, overwhelmed, and can cause challenges in the ways we navigate our lives.
I approach psychotherapy as a collaborative process with the goal of finding relief by understanding the root of our challenges, improving our capacity to cope, and implementing meaningful change.
As a bicultural and bilingual (English and Spanish) Latinx psychologist, I believe that our cultural makeup is an inherent part of our identity and as such, I believe that psychotherapy is not a “one size fits all” model. I believe in using evidence-based approaches as tools to find the relief that works best for each individual client.
I completed my doctoral training at Pacific University, School of Professional Psychology (APA-Accredited Program) in Hillsboro, Oregon. Throughout my training and professional experience, I have served clients, families and communities in various settings, including community mental health, emergency/crisis, primary care, and school-based.
Therapeutic Approaches
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Attachment-Based Therapy
How early relational experiences impact your relationship with the self, others, and how you respond to the environment around you.
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Emotionally-Focused Therapy
Understanding how our attachment style, emotional experiences, and unmet emotional needs can impact our behaviors and interactions.
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Trauma-Informed Care
Recognizing the widespread impact trauma has on the mind and body, while improving the overall capacity for coping and regulation through care.
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Mindfulness
Creating a non-judgmental and observant stance to present thoughts, feelings, and sensations to improve self-awareness and more adaptive responses.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Identifying and shifting the patterns of beliefs, thoughts, and behaviors that contribute to current challenges and distress.
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Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Developing skills to manage intense emotions, improve interpersonal relationships, and enhance the ability to tolerate distress.
“Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.”
— BRENÉ BROWN