About Us
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), a specialized boarding school for ADHD students and an adult residential facility for trauma recovery.
STAFF
Chuck Flagler, Psy.D.
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.
My work in mental health counseling began in Asheville, NC in 2006. I worked
primarily with Children, Adolescents and their Parents in therapeutic horseback
riding in Atlanta, GA. I moved to Asheville, NC to begin a career in therapeutic
wilderness programs working with adolescents and their families. I invite clients to
explore relationship patterns that have contributed to psychological distress and
gain awareness of how to positively contribute to interpersonal effectiveness,
establish meaningful connections, and set appropriate physical and emotional boundaries with self and others. Self-concept, unmet needs, and goals for reaching one’s full potential are explored. Communication and coping strategies are taught and practiced promoting healthy emotional regulation and prosocial engagement.
My training is trauma and resiliency focused in EMDR and Brainspotting trauma reprocessing techniques, Jungian psychodynamic theory, and the Community Resiliency Model six wellness skills for healthy emotional regulation and rebalancing the nervous system. I am an Equine & Canine Assisted Service
Provider.
Therapy is a process that invites client engagement and the desire to search for answers to life's most pressing questions. Together we will focus on techniques for improving emotional safety and trust in relationships and learn trauma informed principles and communication strategies to help manage the psychological distress that can arise when interacting with others. By controlling ourselves we have
influence in our relationships and our needs and interests can be realized. Emotional safety, establishing self-respecting boundaries, and learning how to connect and attune to your own needs and the needs of others is a goal we can work on together. You will learn to identify healthy and supportive connections that are emotionally safe and honor and enhance your well-being.
Lindsey graduated with her Master of Science in Clinical Mental
Health Counseling from Western Carolina University and is licensed as a
Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate in the State of North Carolina. Her practicum and internship training provided experience working with individuals with substance use disorders as well as training in administering neurofeedback under the supervision of a certified neurofeedback practitioner, Dr. Phil Ellis, here at Focus Centers of Asheville. In addition, she has formally studied both Yoga and Ayurveda and has professional, non-clinical experience in residential care settings for adolescents as well as adults in substance use recovery. Her primary goal is to build trust and safety within the therapeutic relationship so that clients can connect more fully with their own intrinsic wisdom and optimum well-being. Lindsey sees counseling as a collaborative process and utilizes neurofeedback to enhance a multi-modal approach which includes mindfulness-based interventions and methods of cognitive-behavioral therapy to increase clients’ insight and awareness.
Kaitlyn Keller, LCMHC
Kaitlyn graduated with her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lenoir-Rhyne University and is fully licensed as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor in the State of North Carolina. Her areas of experience and special interest include: child and adolescent development and mental health challenges at home and/or school; working with adolescents and families in residential treatment and transitional independent living settings; adjustment to life transitions for young adults; affirmative care for LGBTQ+; women's issues; PTSD and trauma recovery. She combines techniques from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Solution Focused Therapy. Her approach is nurturing, collaborative, and responsive to your unique situation.
Tiffany Franzo, MS, LCMHC, LCAS, NCC, C-DBT
Steve Wollentin, M.S. LPC
Steve Wollentin became interested in neurofeedback during his internship experience and continued to pursue this passion at Focus Centers upon graduating from Western North Carolina University. Steve holds an M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and has over a decade of experience in mental health, working with children, adolescents, and adults. In addition to neurofeedback, his professional interests include mindfulness, positive psychotherapy, ecotherapy, and person-centered therapy.
Jessica Zander, M.S., LCMHC-A
Jessica began her work with Focus Centers after working as a school-based therapist for Buncombe County schools. She earned her M.S degree from Western Carolina University in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. During her time there she held an internship with Mountain Area Health Education Center and gained experience working in integrative care.
In addition to providing neurofeedback, Jessica uses a person-centered counseling approach frequently paired with other counseling modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Feminist Therapy, Child-Centered Play Therapy, and mindfulness techniques.
Lisa Carter, Office Manager
Lisa Carter has worked in mental health practices for over 12 years and customer service for over 30 years. She really enjoys working with people, helping others and trying to make a difference by providing exceptional service. Lisa has an Associates Degree in Business and has been in Western North Carolina for 15 years. During her free time she loves being outdoors, spending time with her grandchildren, playing her dog Hazel and quality time with family and friends. Lisa couldn't be more thrilled to be working with such an amazing group.