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MEET THE TEAM
Allyson Barnes, PT, DPT, MBA
Founder, Physical Therapist
Dr. Allyson Barnes brings a wealth of experience and a passion for advancing patient care. After earning a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Louisiana State University Health in New Orleans, Allyson has developed expertise through work in diverse clinical settings, including hypermobility care.
Professional Experience
Allyson’s career includes extensive experience in:
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Inpatient Rehabilitation: As a member of a brain injury team, she provided specialized care for individuals managing complex neurological conditions.
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Outpatient Orthopedics: She refined her skills in treating musculoskeletal injuries and guiding patients through recovery.
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Pain Management: She developed innovative approaches to chronic pain treatment, improving patient outcomes and quality of life.
These experiences contribute to her specialization in hypermobility care, where she combines clinical expertise, a passion for research, and a multidisciplinary approach to meet the complex needs of patients.
In addition to her clinical work, Allyson has taken on leadership roles in professional and nonprofit spaces:
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Co-Founder of Ascension Rotaract Network MDIO: This organization connects and empowers young professionals in Rotary International across the Central and Eastern Time Zones of the United States.
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Policy Advocate: Collaborated with Rotary International to create policy changes that promote inclusivity and diversity.
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National Speaker: Presented at conferences on topics such as improving inter-generational communication to enhance knowledge translation.
Research and Academic Contributions
Allyson is deeply committed to advancing the field of physical therapy through research. Her academic contributions include numerous presentations, publications, and involvement in groundbreaking studies.
Research Presentations
Presented research findings at prominent conferences, including:
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Combined Sections Meeting, American Physical Therapy Association (2018)
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North America Society for Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (2013)
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American College of Sports Medicine (2012)
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Society for Neuroscience (2012)
Awards and Recognitions
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LSU Outstanding Honors College Thesis Award (2014)
Thesis: “Gravitational Pull Does Not Explain Undershooting Target Locations in Complete Darkness”
Publications
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“Different damping responses explain vertical endpoint error differences between visual conditions.” (2016)
Published in Experimental Brain Research, this study examines motor control mechanisms under different visual conditions.
Research Experience
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Served as a Research Interventionist from 2020-2022 on an NIH R01 Grant through the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, studying the effects of strength versus power training.
Beyond BAR
Outside of BAR, Allyson can usually be found cheering on the LSU Tigers with her husband and son, experimenting with Creole and Southeast Asian recipes, or throwing pottery on her home wheel. A lifelong competitive swimmer and community advocate, she continues to stay involved through Rotary Club of Oklahoma City Club 29 and enjoys finding creative ways to connect people and ideas.
Cassia Claunch, MA, CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Participation Program Lead
Cassia Claunch brings more than a decade of experience helping adults with complex voice, swallowing, speech, and cognitive communication disorders. After earning a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology, she has built her career around thoughtful clinical reasoning, advanced training, and evidence-based care for individuals with complex medical conditions. Her passion lies in helping patients better understand their symptoms, improve function, and participate more fully in the activities that matter most.
Professional Experience
Cassia specializes in the evaluation and treatment of adults with complex upper aerodigestive disorders, including:
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Voice disorders
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Swallowing disorders (dysphagia)
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Cognitive communication disorders
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Speech disorders
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Parkinson's disease
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Stroke rehabilitation
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Neurodegenerative disorders
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Hypermobility spectrum disorders and connective tissue related voice and swallowing dysfunction
She is especially passionate about working with individuals whose symptoms have been persistent, complex, or difficult to explain. Cassia enjoys connecting the dots between anatomy, movement, and function to better understand the underlying contributors to voice and swallowing concerns. By combining advanced clinical reasoning with a collaborative approach, she helps patients improve safety, confidence, and quality of life while working toward the goals that matter most to them.
Cassia believes exceptional care begins by listening. She partners closely with patients, families, physicians, and interdisciplinary healthcare providers to develop individualized treatment plans that reflect each person's unique goals while incorporating the latest evidence-based practices.
Approach to Care
One of Cassia's greatest passions is helping patients understand why swallowing and voice difficulties occur, not simply treating symptoms. She believes lasting improvements begin with curiosity, careful listening, and understanding the whole person rather than focusing on a diagnosis alone.
By blending anatomy, physiology, movement, manual therapy, and the latest evidence-based research, Cassia works to uncover the factors contributing to each individual's symptoms. She recognizes that swallowing and voice are influenced by far more than the throat alone and enjoys partnering with patients to solve complex clinical puzzles that may have gone unexplained for years.
Whether someone has been avoiding certain foods, struggling to swallow medications, experiencing persistent coughing, noticing changes in their voice, or simply feeling like something is not quite right, Cassia believes every symptom deserves to be understood. Her goal is to help patients regain confidence, improve function, and participate more fully in the activities that matter most.
Advanced Training & Certifications
Cassia is committed to advancing her clinical expertise through continued education and specialized training. Her advanced certifications include:
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Certified Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) Endoscopist
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Certified Speak OUT!® Provider
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Certified McNeill Dysphagia Therapy Program (MDTP) Clinician
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Advanced training in manual therapy techniques
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Advanced training in cervical stability and complex swallowing disorders
These advanced skills allow Cassia to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care for individuals with medically complex conditions, including those with connective tissue disorders and hypermobility.
Leadership & Professional Contributions
In addition to her clinical work, Cassia is passionate about mentoring future clinicians and advancing evidence-based practice. She serves as an annual guest lecturer at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, where she enjoys helping students strengthen their clinical reasoning and deepen their understanding of complex voice and swallowing disorders.
Cassia maintains the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is licensed to practice speech-language pathology in both Oklahoma and Texas.
Beyond BAR
Outside of BAR, Cassia enjoys botanical and anatomical watercolor painting, spending time with her husband and two children, and exploring Oklahoma's lakes and rivers with her family.
She believes some of life's greatest moments happen around the dinner table, on the water, or while creating something by hand. That same curiosity, creativity, and appreciation for meaningful connection shape the care she provides to every patient.
Sonja White, PT, DPT, PRPC
Physical Therapist
Pelvis Program
Dr. Sonja White brings more than a decade of experience helping individuals with complex orthopedic, neurological, pediatric, chronic pain, and pelvic health conditions. After earning her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 2014, she built a diverse clinical foundation across hospital systems, acute care, outpatient rehabilitation, and specialized pelvic health.
Her passion for pelvic health began through her own experience as a patient following the birth of her second child. After discovering firsthand how life-changing pelvic floor physical therapy could be, she pursued advanced training and certification in pelvic rehabilitation. Today, she is passionate about helping patients uncover the underlying contributors to their symptoms, improve function, and participate more fully in the activities that matter most to them.
Professional Experience
Throughout her career, Sonja has cared for patients across nearly every stage of life, from pediatrics to older adults. Her experience includes treating orthopedic injuries, spine conditions, neurological disorders, developmental delays, chronic pain, and acute care rehabilitation. This broad clinical background allows her to recognize patterns that may otherwise be overlooked and appreciate how different body systems work together to influence movement, pain, and function.
She is especially passionate about helping patients whose symptoms have been persistent, frustrating, or difficult to explain. Sonja believes the pelvic floor is often an overlooked piece of the puzzle and enjoys helping patients understand how it influences the entire body. By combining thoughtful clinical reasoning with individualized care, she empowers patients to regain confidence, restore function, and return to the activities they love.
Sonja believes exceptional care begins by listening. She partners closely with each patient and collaborates with physicians and interdisciplinary healthcare providers to develop personalized treatment plans that address the whole person rather than a single diagnosis.
Approach to Care
One of Sonja's greatest passions is helping patients understand why their symptoms developed rather than simply treating where they hurt. She believes lasting improvement begins by looking beyond the obvious, asking better questions, and recognizing that the body functions as an interconnected system.
Using a patient-centered, whole-body approach, Sonja blends movement assessment, pelvic health expertise, orthopedic principles, and evidence-based practice to uncover the root causes contributing to pain and dysfunction. She enjoys thinking outside the box to solve complex clinical puzzles, recognizing that symptoms are often influenced by factors extending far beyond the area of pain.
Whether someone is recovering after pregnancy, struggling with pelvic pain, managing bladder or bowel concerns, or living with persistent orthopedic or neurological symptoms, Sonja believes every patient deserves individualized care that restores confidence, improves function, and helps them fully participate in the life they want to live.
Advanced Training & Certifications
Sonja is committed to continually advancing her clinical expertise through specialized education and evidence-based training. Her advanced certifications and coursework include:
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Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner Certification (PRPC)
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Mobilization of Visceral Fascia: The Urinary System (Herman & Wallace)
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Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging (Herman & Wallace)
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Postural Restoration Institute: Postural Respiration
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MamasteFit Professional Community and Mentorship Program (2025-2026)
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Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT/McKenzie Method)
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PWR! (Parkinson Wellness Recovery) Certified Provider
These advanced skills allow Sonja to provide comprehensive, whole-person care for individuals with complex pelvic health, orthopedic, and neurological conditions.
Leadership & Professional Contributions
In addition to her clinical work, Sonja is passionate about mentoring future physical therapists and promoting education within her community. She has served as a clinical instructor for Doctor of Physical Therapy students and enjoys helping the next generation of clinicians strengthen their clinical reasoning and patient-centered approach to care.
Her professional contributions also include serving as a guest on the Pink Ribbon Roller Coaster Podcast and as a guest speaker for Project 31, where she has shared her knowledge and passion for pelvic health and rehabilitation.
Beyond BAR
Outside of BAR, Sonja enjoys spending time with her husband of 12 years and their three children. Whether she's cheering from the sidelines at her kids' activities, trying a new restaurant, cooking for her family, or relaxing with a good book, she treasures time spent with the people she loves most.
A lifelong softball player, Sonja spent many years on the field as a catcher and first baseman. She is also an enthusiastic supporter of the Oklahoma Sooners and the Oklahoma City Thunder, an active member of her church, and enjoys serving her community through volunteer work.
Paul Roettger, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Pain Management Program
Dr. Paul Roettger brings a research-driven mindset, curiosity, and a passion for translating evidence into individualized patient care. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Langston University, he continued his education at Langston University, where he earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy.
Paul began his physical therapy career in general outpatient practice working with orthopedic, neurological, chronic pain, sports, and geriatric populations. His approach bridges the gap between evidence-based medicine and personalized care. He believes the research matters, but so does the person sitting in front of him.
Professional Experience
Paul is especially interested in working with individuals whose symptoms require a deeper look at movement, biomechanics, and the factors influencing how their body responds to activity. He approaches clinical problems systematically while recognizing that even the best evidence has to be applied to the individual person in front of him.
His background in research has shaped the way he approaches patient care. Rather than relying on a single protocol or treatment philosophy, Paul considers current research, clinical experience, patient response, and individual goals when developing a plan of care. He believes good clinical reasoning requires asking questions, staying curious, and being willing to adapt when new information changes the picture.
Approach to Care
Paul believes evidence-based care should never mean one-size-fits-all care. He uses a systematic approach to clinical reasoning while allowing each patient's questions, experiences, and goals to help guide the direction of treatment.
Patients can expect Paul to be direct, thoughtful, and willing to explain the why behind what they are experiencing. Education is an important part of his approach from helping patients better understand anatomy and biomechanics to connecting symptoms with new ideas about their health. He believes understanding can be an important step in replacing fear and uncertainty with an attainable plan and achievable goals.
His treatment philosophy emphasizes creating an environment where the body can move and recover as efficiently as possible. By considering biomechanics, movement patterns, and each patient's response to treatment, Paul develops individualized plans designed to evolve alongside the person receiving care.
What he enjoys most is seeing the shift that can happen when someone begins to understand their body differently. Helping patients move from fear or uncertainty toward understanding, confidence, and a clear path forward is one of the most rewarding parts of his work.
Advanced Training & Certifications
Paul is committed to continuing his education and expanding his clinical knowledge through research and specialized training. His advanced training and professional involvement include:
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Beyond Flexible: Clinical Hypermobility Series
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RunDNA Certified Walking Gait Analyst
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Member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) since 2022
His growing clinical interests include hypermobility, geriatrics, movement analysis, and the continued integration of research into physical therapy practice.
Research & Professional Contributions
Paul's interest in research began before physical therapy school while completing his undergraduate degree at Langston University. As a research assistant under Dr. Kjoy Abraham, he participated in laboratory research examining azoreductase enzyme activity in Serratia liquefaciens and other bacteria.
His undergraduate research led to multiple research presentations, including:
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Oklahoma Research Day, 2022
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Kansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (K-INBRE), 2022
Although his early research was outside of physical therapy, the experience helped shape the curiosity and evidence-driven thinking he now brings to clinical practice. Paul remains particularly interested in research within physical therapy and in continuing to explore how emerging evidence can be translated into meaningful, individualized patient care.
Beyond BAR
Outside of BAR, Paul enjoys spending time with his wife, their two dogs, and their cat. Together, they enjoy hiking, swimming, spending time with family, and the occasional ice cream trip (complete with pup cups). They can also often be found serving at their local church or spending time on the farm.
Physical activity has always been an important part of Paul's life. He enjoys running, cycling, and swimming and has years of experience riding horses. He also volunteers annually with the Endeavor Games and has served as part of the medical volunteer team for the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon for the past two years.
Sarah Crotty
Office Manager
Sarah believes exceptional patient care begins long before someone walks into a treatment room. As BAR's Office Manager, she is dedicated to creating a welcoming, organized, and supportive experience for every patient who contacts the clinic. From the first phone call to each follow-up appointment, Sarah works behind the scenes to ensure patients feel heard, cared for, and confident throughout their journey at BAR.
She enjoys serving as the connection between patients and the clinical team, helping appointments, communication, and daily operations run smoothly so our therapists can focus on delivering exceptional, individualized care.
Patient Experience
One of Sarah's favorite parts of working at BAR is building relationships with the people who trust us with their care. Whether she's answering questions, coordinating schedules, helping navigate the referral process, or simply offering a friendly smile at the front desk, she believes every interaction matters.
Sarah understands that many people arrive at BAR after years of searching for answers. She believes everyone deserves to feel welcomed, listened to, and treated with genuine kindness from the very first interaction. Whether someone is calling with a question, scheduling their first appointment, or checking in for a visit, Sarah hopes they leave every conversation feeling supported and confident that they're in the right place.
One of the greatest rewards of her role is celebrating alongside patients as they gain confidence, achieve meaningful milestones, and rediscover hope throughout their care.
Community Involvement
Outside of her work at BAR, Sarah is passionate about serving others. Every June, she and her husband travel to Tijuana, Mexico, where they volunteer alongside families from across the country to help build homes for local communities. What began as an opportunity to serve has become one of the most meaningful traditions in their lives giving them the chance to help build hope and create lasting change for families. It remains their favorite week of the year.
Beyond BAR
When she's not at BAR, Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband and their Goldendoodle, Kai. She recently rediscovered her love of sewing and has been learning the art of quilting, while also perfecting homemade sourdough with the help of her starter, affectionately named "Saucy."
She also enjoys finding creative and adventurous ways to stay active, especially when they involve spending time outdoors with Kai. Whether she's creating something by hand, exploring nature, or serving her community, Sarah brings the same warmth, thoughtfulness, and genuine care to every part of her life that she brings to the patients and team at BAR.
Louden Dixon
BAR Institute Coordinator
Louden believes meaningful healthcare happens when patients and providers have the support, resources, and education they need to succeed. As the BAR Institute Coordinator, he works primarily within the educational side of BAR, helping support the programs and resources that allow knowledge to extend beyond the walls of the clinic.
Currently completing his Bachelor’s degree in Public Health with an expected graduation in May 2027, Louden brings a systems-focused perspective to his work. He enjoys working hard, helping the people around him, and making sure there is still room to have a little fun along the way.
Patient Experience
Louden found his place in healthcare by asking a simple question: How can I help?
He knew early on that bedside care and directly treating patients were not where his strengths belonged, but he also knew he wanted to be part of healthcare. He found his passion in helping patients navigate what he affectionately calls the "healthcare stratosphere" and creating an environment where patients, providers, and coworkers have the support they need.
Whether he is helping a patient find the right information, assisting a provider, coordinating educational programs, or helping a coworker solve a problem, Louden approaches his work with efficiency, care, and a genuine desire to connect with the people around him. He believes strong healthcare requires more than excellent clinical care. It also requires thoughtful communication, accessible education, and people behind the scenes who are willing to make complicated systems a little easier to navigate.
Through his work with BAR Institute, Louden helps extend that philosophy beyond individual patient care by supporting education designed to give healthcare professionals better tools for understanding and serving complex patient populations.
Community Involvement
Outside of his work at BAR, Louden enjoys staying involved in his local community. He volunteers with litter cleanups, supports efforts to improve walkability, champions local businesses, and takes an active interest in issues affecting the neighborhoods around him.
His interest in public health extends naturally into this work and reflects his desire to help make his community a healthier, more connected place to live.
Beyond BAR
Louden lives in NW Oklahoma City with his dog, surrounded by family and friends. An avid traveler, he has set a goal of seeing all seven wonders of the world by age 27 and is always ready for the next adventure.
Closer to home, he loves live music and rarely turns down the opportunity for a good concert. He is also passionate about film photography and enjoys capturing people, places, and experiences through a different lens.
After completing his undergraduate degree, Louden hopes to continue his education by beginning a master’s program in fall 2027. Whether he is behind a camera, exploring somewhere new, or working toward his next academic goal, he brings the same curiosity and enthusiasm to life that he brings to BAR.