Our Instructors

Dr. Frank E. Vargo, Shodai Soke

In the world of martial arts, Dr. Frank E. Vargo, Soke is an internationally recognized and highly awarded martial arts grandmaster, who holds an 8th degree blackbelt in Chiedo Saigo Ha Daito Ryu Aikido/AikiJujutsu, an 8^th degree blackbelt in Kokon Ryu Kempo Karate Do, a 6^th degree blackbelt in Kindai Inazuma Ryu TaiJitsu, and (Sifu) instructor status in Sil Lum Kung Fu and T'ai Chi Chuan.

Dr. Vargo's current martial ranks and awards are as follows:

Current Internationally Recognized Martial Arts Ranks   

Award and Title: Headfounder/Grandmaster and Shodai Soke

                        8^th Degree Black Belt: Chiedo Saigo Ha Daito-Ryu Aikido AikiJujutsu

Award presented:  June of 2004 by the International Society of Headfounders and Headfamilies (ISSH) and the Saigo-Ha Daito Ryu Bujutsu Organization: Japan, Canada, United States.   Rank and title recognized by the Aikido Association of America and the International Aikido Association.

                        Award and Title:  Professor of Martial Arts

Presented and Acknowledged by: International Society of Headfamilies/Headfounders-The Inazuma Ryu Martial Arts Organization -The Kumiuchi Ryu International

                        Martial Arts Federation  Presented August of 2000, Boston, Massachusetts

                        Recipient:  Master Instructor of the Year Award

                          Presented by the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Inc.

                        Presented March 27, 1999, Cleveland, Ohio

                        Recipient:  Soke-Dai of the Year Award

                        Presented by the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Inc.

                          Award officially presented March 27, 1999, Cleveland, Ohio

                        Appointment: Executive Vice-President:

                        World Martial Arts Hall of Fame

                        Cleveland Heights, Ohio (7/99 - 7/03)                

                        Shihan Award and Title  (Teacher of Teachers)

                        Inazuma Ryu Martial Arts Organization / Kokon Ryu Bujutsu Renmei

                        International Martial Arts Association

                        Award presented February 24, 1996,  Warwick, Rhode Island

                         Induction:  World Martial Arts Hall of Fame

                         Recipient:  Associate Instructor of the Year Award                     

                         Presented by the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Inc.

                         Cleveland Heights, Ohio   Presented 5/6/94,  Jacksonville, Florida

Dr. Frank E. Vargo is the director and senior clinician of the Fireside Center for Psychological and Educational Services in Leominster, Massachusetts.  The center also has satellite clinics in Westminster and Worcester (Massachusetts), and in Rhode Island.

Dr. Vargo's educational credentials include a Doctorate in Educational Psychology

(with specializations in learning disabilities and counseling psychology), formal

post-doctoral training in clinical psychology, neuropsychology (clinical, developmental, and school), clinical psychopharmacology, and educational administration and leadership. 

Dr. Vargo's academic degrees include:

DOCTOR OF EDUCATION (Ed.D) in EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY

Primary Concentration: Educational Psychology (Specialization in Learning Disabilities) Secondary Concentration: Counseling Psychology

                AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE

                SPRINGFIELD, MA

CERTIFICATE OF ADVANCED GRADUATE STUDIES (CAGS)

                Concentration:  School Psychology

                NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY, BOSTON, MA

MASTER OF ARTS IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY (MA)

Dual Concentration:

                School Neuropsychology and Child Clinical Psychology and Development Educational Leadership and Administration

                VERMONT COLLEGE OF UNION

                INSTITUTE AND UNIVERSITY

                BRATTLEBORO, VERMONT

MASTER OF EDUCATION (M.Ed.)

                Concentration:  Guidance and Counseling

                FITCHBURG STATE COLLEGE,  FITCHBURG, MA

BACHELOR OF MUSIC

Concentration:  Music Education & Music Performance

BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC,  BOSTON, MA

Dr. Vargo holds the following professional licenses, credentials, and appointments:

-          Licensed Psychologist (Commonwealth of Massachusetts)

-          Registered Health Service Provider (Commonwealth of Massachusetts)

-          Licensed Educational Psychologist

-          Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychologist

-          Nationally Certified School Psychologist (National Association of School Psychologists)

-          Certified School Psychologist (MA Department of Education)

-          Certified Guidance Counselor (MA Department of Education)

-          Certified School Adjustment Counselor (MA Department of Education)

-          Certified Music Educator (MA Department of Education)

-          Fellow in Psychology: (Massachusetts Psychological Association)

-          Member: American Psychological Association

-          Member: Massachusetts Neuropsychological Society

-          Appointment-Board of Directors: Practitioner Publications (Journal)

-          Consulting Editorial Board Member: Insights on Learning Disabilities (Journal)

-          Consulting Editor: Learning Disabilities: A Contemporary Journal

-          Massachusetts Special Education Advisory Council Member

-          Committee Member for the Massachusetts Department of Education

-          Former Elected School Committee Member (Leominster, MA)

-          Former Staff Neuropsychologist at North Shore Medical Center in Salem, MA

Some of Dr. Vargo's International Awards include:

            Clinical Psychologist of the Year Award

            Presented by the World Sports Medicine Hall of Fame

                Award officially presented on March 25, 2000 in Akron, Ohio

            Sport Psychologist of the Year Award

            Presented by the World Sports Medicine Hall of Fame

                Award presented in March, 2001 in Akron, Ohio

Educator of the Year Award

Presented by the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame

                Award presented in July, 2003 in Dallas, Texas

            Humanitarian of the Year Award

            Presented by the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame

                Award presented in July, 2003 in Dallas, Texas

Dr. Vargo is a Professor of Graduate Studies in Counseling and Psychology at

Vermont College of Union Institute & University, Brattleboro, Vermont Campus.

His responsibilities at Vermont College include teaching, training, and mentoring graduate students in psychology and counseling.  Dr. Vargo is also a well respected author and research scientist, who is widely published in the fields of psychology, education, counseling, and learning disabilities.

Dr. Vargo also expresses his educational interests and contributions as a professional musician/music educator, and as a professional martial arts instructor.  In the music

arenas, Dr. Vargo is an accomplished bassist, pianist, vocalist, composer, and teacher. 

Dr. Vargo resides in Leominster, Massachusetts, with his wife Cindy, and their daughter Erica.