Staff Bios
Higgins & Carter LLC was founded by Ryan Higgins and John Carter in 2010 with the goal of creating a multi-disciplinary staff of psychologists, social workers and psychiatrists. Our staff is comprised from varied experience, education and expertise. Please review the bios below to learn more about the clinicians at the practice.
Co-Founders
Ryan J. Higgins, LCPC
Ryan provides an engaged and collaborative approach to psychotherapy. Ryan has been providing mental health services in hospitals, community mental health centers, and private practice to a variety of populations since 2006. His specific areas of interest include the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders, adolescent transitional issues as well as the treatment of PTSD and complex trauma. Ryan has acted as a consultant to non-profit mental health programs in Chicago as well as provided supervision to graduate level students and pre-licensed clinicians.
Education
Ryan completed his graduate work at Benedictine University earning a Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology. He has also completed additional training at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago earning certificates in Art Therapy and Advanced Psychodynamic Clinical Practice. Additionally, Ryan has completed a comprehensive training program directed by Bessel van der Kolk, MD earning a certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies.
John C. Carter, LCSW
John has practiced psychotherapy since 2006 working with individuals in hospitals, community settings and private practice. John’s areas of specialty include complex trauma, anxiety/panic, depression, relationship negotiation, social/family roles, physical and sexual abuse, emotional regulation, frustration tolerance, compulsive behaviors and child/adolescent development. John works with couples, families, children and adults.
Education
John completed his master’s at the University of Chicago in Clinical Social Work, with a concentration in Cognitive-Integrative Therapy. John has worked with breast cancer research and is certified by the National Institute of Health. The International Sociology Honors Society recognizes him for his scholarship in the field.
Dr. Tony Fletcher, PsyD., ABPP
Clinical Neuropsychological Training Coordinator
Dr. Tony Fletcher is a clinical neuropsychologist, licensed clinical psychologist and board-certified forensic psychologist who specializes in the assessment of neurologically-based disorders, psychiatric disorders, and psychological problems. Conditions assessed include, but are not limited to: Anoxia, Aphasias, Anxiety and depressive Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention deficit Disorders, Birth Defects, Cerebral Vascular Accidents (stroke), Degenerative Disorders, Developmental Delays, Dementias, Encephalopathy, Hydrocephalus, Hypoxia, Impulse Control Disorders, Lead Poisoning, Learning Disabilities, Low Birth Weight, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Schizophrenia, Seizure Disorders (Epilepsy), Toxin Poisoning, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Tumors, and vascular Disorders, as well as other mental and neurological illnesses.
Education
Dr. Fletcher received his Master of Science (M.S.) and his Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D) in Clinical Psychology from Nova Southeastern University in Florida where he received extensive clinical and research training within the fields of clinical neuropsychology and some initial coursework in forensic psychology. He completed a pre-doctoral internship at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, and a two-year postdoctoral fellowship in Clinical Neuropsychology in the department of Neurology at the University of Illinois at Chicago Hospital.
Hector Rupitt, LCPC
Group Therapy Program Coordinator
Hector values a compassionate and supportive environment that is conducive to healing and growth, and he believes in tailoring his efforts to suit the needs of the individual. He has experience providing individual and group therapy services with specific focus on depression, anxiety, co-occurring disorders, substance use disorders, and severe and persistent mental illness. Hector provides a practical and eclectic approach to the helping relationship. He often incorporates Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and Psychodynamic theories in his work.
Education
Hector earned his Ed.M and M.A in Psychological Counseling from Columbia University in New York. He has provided mental health services to a variety of populations in hospital, private practice and community settings in the New York and Los Angeles metropolitan areas. He is bilingual and offers culturally competent services in Spanish.
Staff Clinicians
Samantha Sadler, MA
Samantha is an empathic, non-judgmental, kind therapist who believes in providing an all-inclusive environment. She will guide you throughout your therapeutic journey to recognize, process, and cope with your mental health problems. She is dedicated to helping adolescents, emerging adults, and adults who struggle with anxiety, depression, identity formation, stress, or life transitions improve their lives using mindfulness techniques, CBT, and the strengths-based framework.
Education
Samantha has received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Loyola University of Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Northeastern Illinois University. She has taken many classes on adolescent and adult psychology, which focused on crisis intervention, human sexuality, diagnosis and treatment, and life span development.