A place of “help and hope,” Faulkner University’s Center for Therapy and Research has reached a major milestone, delivering its 50,000th patient visit for therapy and counseling services since opening in 2018.
The 20,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility, located on Faulkner’s east campus, is an integral part of the university’s College of Health Sciences. It is the only free therapy and counseling clinic of its kind in the area, serving individuals and families across the lifespan, from infants to the elderly.
On average, families and individuals who qualify for services see a savings of nearly $1,200 per month. In so doing, the clinic is making a positive impact in the landscape of healthcare for families with special needs in Alabama. The clinic was recently featured in Uniquely You!, a magazine for Central Alabama, which celebrates the disabilities community and connects individuals with health services that are available in their area.
The therapy and research clinic at Faulkner provides a holistic approach to care at no cost for eligible patients. Services include speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and mental health counseling. Areas of specialization include autism spectrum disorders, sensory processing disorders, voice disorders, feeding and swallowing disorders, developmental disorders, traumatic brain injuries, neurological impairments, orthopedic injuries and emotional and mental health disorders.
The Faulkner University Center for Therapy and Research clinic and the Mike and Lisa Williams Center for Autism continue to expand access to care throughout the region. Clinic Director Alan Deal, OTR/L, said the mission extends beyond treatment alone.
“We exist to promote the holistic well-being of our community by improving physical, emotional and spiritual health,” Deal said. “We seek to extend the healing ministry of Jesus through compassionate, quality rehabilitative services while training students to become competent, Christ-like healthcare professionals.”
Deal said the clinic bridges gaps in health equity by offering free services while preparing future healthcare leaders.
“Since our beginning in 2018, the Faulkner Center for Therapy and Research has provided a place of help and hope throughout the region,” he said. “What makes us unique is not only that we provide free services to those who are eligible, but that we also provide caregiver support and resources to families through our professional counselors during therapy visits so families do not have to manage separate appointments We have found that outcomes improve when caregivers are supported alongside their loved ones.”
The clinic’s team of licensed therapists and supervised graduate students use evidence-based treatment approaches designed to achieve the best outcomes for patients. By partnering with such entities as the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, the Alabama Department of Mental Health, the Alabama Department of Human Resources and the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, more than 200 physicians and nurse practitioners across the state are referring patients to the clinic.
The milestone comes just days before the unveiling of a new initiative aimed at serving veterans. Through a grant partnership with the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, the clinic will expand by opening the new Faulkner Mental Health Clinic. A grand opening is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. March 6, 2026.
For more information on eligibility requirements, to schedule an appointment or to learn more about the services offered at the clinic, follow the “Faulkner Center for Therapy and Research” on Facebook, call 334-386-7351 or email clinic@faulkner.edu. Additional information is available at www.faulknerclinic.org
