Amanda Higgs, Psy.D.

Dr. Amanda Higgs specializes in trauma-informed care and psychological services for first responders, military personnel, and healthcare professionals. With a foundation in criminal justice and early career experience with the United States Marshals Service, she offers a unique perspective that bridges the worlds of law enforcement and mental health.

Dr. Higgs has worked as a correctional psychologist in state facilities across Kansas, Ohio, and Florida, and has held clinical roles in juvenile detention, probation, and private practice. Her extensive evaluation background includes disability assessments, pre-employment screenings, psychoeducational and diagnostic testing, fitness-for-duty evaluations, and disability appeals for police and fire associations.

In her therapeutic work, Dr. Higgs integrates evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with creative interventions including art and music therapy, bibliotherapy, and positive psychology. For first responders, these creative methods provide an alternative avenue of healing outside of traditional talk therapy, allowing individuals to process experiences and restore balance in unique, accessible ways. Her clinical focus includes emotional regulation and control, occupational stress management, leadership development, identity formation, retirement preparation, and transition to civilian life.

Beyond individual treatment, Dr. Higgs is passionate about program development and training initiatives that expand the reach of psychological services within the first responder community. Her emphasis on resilience-building and leadership development underscores her commitment to supporting those who serve in high-demand, high-risk professions.