Focus Centers, PLLC, is a mental health organization, registered with the North Carolina Psychology Board. Focus Centers utilizes state-of-the art neuro-technology, psychotherapy and computer-assisted training to help clients successfully overcome emotional, behavioral, neurological, stress, developmental and learning disorders.

Focus Centers is staffed by experienced professionals with postgraduate education in a wide range of studies, all with additional training and education in the field of psychophysiology and the use of neuro-technology. Although Focus Centers provides services out of a central facility in Asheville, we also operate neurofeedback offices on the campus of a public school (K-8), a private school (K-12), an adolescent substance abuse program and a specialized boarding school for ADHD students. 

STAFF


Phil Ellis, Ph.D., BCN
Director
Focus Centers of Asheville, PLLC

Phil Ellis is licensed as a Psychologist in North Carolina. He has over thirty years of experience providing clinical services to adults and children. He is licensed as a Psychologist in North Carolina and serves as the Director of Focus Centers of Asheville, a clinic that combines neurotechnology with traditional mental health services. Dr Ellis is also considered an expert in the use of Biofeedback and other brain-based technologies that address problems in both mental and physical health. He is an Associate Fellow of BCIA, Board Certified in Neurofeedback. He and his staff operate biofeedback labs on the campus of public and private schools (K-12), a therapeutic boarding school for boys  with ADHD and an adult mental health adult residential treatment facility. It is the desire of Dr. Ellis to develop services that promote optimal health by integrating psychophysiology, education and mental health.

Jackie Williams, Ed.D., BCN

Dr. Jackie Williams is a retired school administrator with a B.S. in special education, and both a master’s degree and a doctorate in educational leadership. Dr. Williams is Board certified  to provide neurofeedback for issues related to learning and she has practiced at Focus Centers since 2007.  She also provides some assessment services and consultation to families regarding placement and educational needs.

During her 32 years as a special educator, curriculum specialist, and principal, Dr. Williams was dedicated to developing and promoting education’s best practices with the goal of helping all children love learning and achieve success in school and in life. Her interest in the application of current brain research in the educational setting led her to neurofeedback, and subsequently the opportunity as a school director to collaborate with Focus Centers to develop a neurofeedback lab in her school. Dr. Williams continues to help children (and adults) to fulfill their potential in her role as educational consultant and neurofeedback provider at Focus Centers and she currently  manages our neurofeedback project on the campus of Asheville Christian Academy.

Chuck Flagler, Psy.D., Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Flagler is a licensed psychologist with over 20 years experience providing mental health services specializing in psychological evaluations, psychotherapy, group therapy, clinical hypnosis, behavioral analysis and clinical supervision for a variety of programs serving teens, developmentally disabled children, ADHD youth and adult mental illness. Dr Flagler has also served as the Senior Psychologist at Broughton State Hospital, a North Carolina State Psychiatric facility serving 39 counties. More recently, Dr. Flagler was the Clinical Director for Stone Mountain School, a therapeutic boarding school for boys. Dr. Flagler was hired by Focus Centers of Asheville to provide psychotherapy, neurofeedback, biofeedback, hypnosis, psychological testing and clinical supervision.

Megan Simpson, M.S., LPCA,

Megan Simpson completed her internship at Focus Centers of Asheville in 2012 and subsequently graduated from Western Carolina University in December with a M.S. degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Her interest in counseling and neurofeedback spans over a decade and includes her instruction and education at the Autism Treatment Center of America located in Sheffield, MA. This training allowed her to connect with children and adults on the autism spectrum and provided a foundation to help her to work with parents, siblings and caregivers struggling to communicate with those affected. Megan offers psychotherapy and Neurofeedback services at Focus Centers.

Tiffany Thompson, M.A., C.B.T., BCN
 

Tiffany Thompson has recently relocated to Asheville after 8 years of clinical practice with a group of professionals in Jacksonville, The Biofeedback Associates of Northeast Florida. Tiffany is Board Certified in Neurofeedback with additional training in psychotherapy, nutrition and a specialization as a Marriage & Family Therapist. At Focus Centers of Asheville, Tiffany will be providing qEEG (Brain Mapping) evaluations, Neurofeedback, biofeedback and psychotherapy.

Sue Smith, Office Manager
 

Sue Smith has worked for over 18 years in administrative and clerical roles for local both mental health and substance abuse organizations. The last 10 years of her service has been under the title, of Office Manager. At Focus Centers Sue provides our phone and office reception, appointment scheduling and verification of health insurance benefits.