Dr.  Michael Grandis is the founder and co-owner of the Grandis Evaluation Center, P.C.  He has been providing assessment services since 1983. He received his Masters Degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1980. Dr. Grandis received his Doctorate Degree in Clinical Psychology in 1990 from the Cambridge Graduate School of Psychology in Los Angeles, California. A resident of Asheville, NC since 1998, he is licensed in North Carolina as a Psychological Associate (#2157).   Dr. Grandis has directed programs for Substance Abuse Treatment for adolescents and young adults and Community Living programs for people with Developmental Disabilities. In Western North Carolina, Dr. Grandis was the lead psychologist for the behavioral unit at the Black Mountain Center. He has worked with local school systems and community agencies providing behavioral consultation, developing client specific treatment plans and assessing vocational and educational needs. Over a span of more than 30 years he has administered mental health evaluations for a wide range of inpatient and outpatient clinical populations.  He has also performed forensic assessment for local Departments of Social Services and attorneys seeking input on parenting capacity and other legal matters.  In conjunction with these concerns he has served as an expert witness, providing forensic reporting and court testimony.

Joanne Grandis, M.S. is co-owner of the Grandis Evaluation Center, P.C.   Although Joanne is no longer actively practicing, she provides Human Resources and statute compliance supports to the GEC. Joanne has worked in the field of psychology since 1984 when she received her Masters Degree in Psychology from California State University at Fullerton. Her early work was in the area of substance abuse treatment before specializing in evaluation services. In Western North Carolina Joanne has worked as a Psychologist for the Division of Prisons and has provided evaluation services for Community Mental Health Agencies, Social Services and local school systems. As a Psychologist for the Asheville Developmental Evaluation Center she was part of an interdisciplinary team of developmental specialists for over 5 years. Her work included diagnostic assessments for Autism and other developmental concerns. Joanne has worked closely with Early Childhood Intervention Services, Specialized Preschool and Community Agencies serving children and their families.

Dr. Kathleen Fraysier, PhD, has worked in the mental health field since 2010. She completed her first undergraduate studies at Bowdoin College, ME, and then worked for several years as a field instructor at a wilderness therapy program. She then served as a residential life coach at a therapeutic boarding school for adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Dr. Fraysier went on to earn her Masters and Doctorate in Psychology from the University of Georgia. Dr. Fraysier is a Licensed Psychologist in the State of North Carolina (#6051). Prior to joining Grandis Evaluation Center, she worked for Buncombe County Schools conducting evaluations as part of the Preschool Assessment Team and worked as the staff psychologist at an elementary school. Dr. Fraysier conducts evaluations with children and adolescents, specializing in psychoeducational assessment and conducting evaluations with preschool-aged children.

Rich Johnston, MA, LPA, has been with the Grandis Evaluation Center for over 10 years. He is a Licensed Psychological Associate who earned his Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from Appalachian State University in 1990. He has thirty years’ experience working in a variety of settings, with 17 of those years devoted exclusively to conducting psychological evaluations with all ages and populations. He has provided a range of psychological services within inpatient psychiatric settings and outpatient clinics and has worked in both clinical and administrative positions, including as Clinical Director for a mental health service agency. Rich is very familiar with the mental health service delivery system in North Carolina and applies this experience to the process of effectively addressing the referral issues presented here at Grandis.

Sasha has been part of the Grandis team for over three years and was nationally certified as a therapy dog with Pet Partners in April of 2021. She is onsite two days per week with her handler Rich Johnston and sometimes hers is the first smiling face you will see upon arrival. She provides support to everyone present, helping to supplement the calm setting we strive to maintain. However, we are aware that dogs are not everyone’s cup of tea and we try to be mindful of this preference. Please let us know if you would rather not interact.

Dr. J. Scott Hinkle, PhD, is a North Carolina Licensed Psychologist (#1551) with over 35 years experience in psychological assessment and treatment planning. He graduated from Florida State University and was an international mental health educator for almost 20 years. Dr. Hinkle has directed a graduate school marriage, couples, and family therapy training program and was a professor of psychodiagnosis, research, and mental health counseling. He hails from Nashville, TN and lived in Bangkok as a young child. When not working he enjoys outdoor pursuits and making music.

Dr. Amanda Hoffman, PsyD, is a licensed psychologist (#5899) in the state of North Carolina. She completed her undergraduate training in psychology at Portland State University and completed her MA in Forensic Psychology from the University of North Dakota. She received her PsyD degree from California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University in 2019. After completing her APA-accredited internship and post-doctoral training at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, CA, she moved to North Carolina to enjoy nature and a slower pace of life. Dr. Hoffman specializes in assessment of severe and persistent mental health illness, behavioral issues, and neurocognitive disorders with additional experience in disability assessment for adults, children, and veterans.

Dr. Marcy Price-Crist, PhD, is a licensed psychologist in North Carolina. Marcy is fairly new to the Asheville area. She completed her doctoral internship and fellowship in Illinois where she worked with violent persons in a detainment facility, focusing on forensic psychology. Her practicum experience involved being a part of Wraparound services for adolescents in Camarillo, CA. Marcy earned her PhD in Clinical Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute in Carpinteria, CA. She studied homelessness in the wake of natural disasters extensively and published an original dissertation on the topic entitled, Natural Disaster-related Loss of Home: A Phenomenological Investigation. Marcy has also lived, studied, and worked in Pensacola, FL where she earned a BA in psychology from the University of West Florida. While completing her dissertation, Marcy lived in New Orleans for two years as a part of conducting research. Alongside studying psychology, Marcy has been coaching competitive gymnastics for over two decades. When she is not working, Marcy enjoys being outdoors, spending time with her pets, and writing. She recently co-authored an original peer-reviewed journal article entitled, Mommy Brain in the United States.

Christine Joura graduated from Katherine Gibbs Business School in Manhattan. She worked as an Administrative Assistant at CBS television and Columbia records in New York City. While in New York she had also worked with younger children at Merrricats Castle Preschool.  She started her Van Dough Productions business in 1980, creating jewelry and ornaments, sold to shops and galleries and featured in two issues of McCall’s magazine.  She is a long-term member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild having been juried-in in 1989 for jewelry. Christine has been the Office Manager at the Grandis Evaluation Center since 2008 providing intake coordination, insurance review, scheduling and direct interaction with clients and their families.  She also provides outreach to the many referring entities associated with the Grandis Evaluation Center, P.C., including physician offices, mental health agencies, the Department of Social Services, School Systems and individual practitioners.  Christine has been an integral person in the development and success of the GEC as she looks forward to her continued work with the families we serve.