Alberto Varela, PhD
Providing Care for Adults, Adolescents & Children (Ages 7+)
Areas of Expertise:
Academic Performance, ADHD, Adjustment Issues, Anger Management, Anxiety, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Depression, Executive Functioning Deficits, Diversity Issues, Grief and Loss, LGBTQ+, OCD, ODD, Parent/Child Conflict, PTSD/Trauma, Personality Disorders, Relationship Distress, Religious/Spiritual Concerns, and Substance Use.
Education and Experience:
Dr. Varela earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Boise State University and went on to complete his master’s and doctorate degrees in Counseling Psychology at the University of Utah. He completed his APA-accredited internship at Utah State University’s Counseling and Psychological Services. Since becoming a licensed psychologist in December 2019, Dr. Varela has been dedicated to helping clients achieve their goals and improve their well-being.
Therapeutic Services:
Dr. Varela offers a range of services to meet his clients’ diverse needs, including:
Therapeutic Approach:
Dr. Varela employs an integrative approach to therapy, tailoring treatment to each client’s unique needs. He draws from a variety of evidence-based modalities, including:
Personal Background:
Dr. Varela is happily married and the proud father of four children. Outside of work, he enjoys staying active through sports like basketball and golf, coaching his son’s youth football and basketball teams, and spending quality time outdoors with his family—whether boating, camping, fishing, or hiking. He also loves traveling and creating cherished memories with his loved ones.
Philosophy of Care:
Dr. Varela’s primary objective is to empower clients to overcome their challenges and recognize their own capabilities. He takes a collaborative approach to therapy, encouraging clients to explore changes they want to make while emphasizing their individual strengths and abilities. Together, therapeutic goals and effective treatment plans are developed, rooted in the belief that clients often have the answers within themselves. Dr. Varela’s role is to help elicit those insights and foster genuine, stigma-free growth through the therapeutic process.