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MEET THE TEAM
Dr. 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.