For the past 16 years, Faulkner alumna Allena Burbage has worked with adults, adolescents and children facing a wide range of issues and mental health diagnoses. She is a licensed professional counselor at the Samaritan Counseling Center, where she works with clients ages 5 to 95 and specializes in children and adolescents.
A 1999 graduate, Burbage was recognized as the Distinguished Alumna for the Alabama Christian College of Arts and Sciences’ Social and Behavioral Sciences Department during the 2025 Marketplace Faith Friday Forums.
Burbage, a graduate of Alabama Christian Academy, earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Faulkner, graduating cum laude. She went on to receive a Master of Science degree in counseling and psychology from Troy University in 2007.
Her areas of expertise include ADHD, depression, anxiety, trauma, stress, behavioral issues and parenting support. She is also a certified ADHD professional.
Burbage’s clinical interests with adults include anxiety, depression, work stress, family stressors, parenting issues, supportive therapy, grief and marital stress. Her work with adolescents and children addresses behavioral issues such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, trauma, school stress and adjustment issues. She offers cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness and relaxation therapy, behavioral modification therapy and supportive therapy services.
“I enjoy helping others reach their mental and emotional health goals,” Burbage said. “I enjoy hearing an issue and using different therapeutic tools to develop a treatment plan to help a client reach these goals.”
Burbage credits her time at Faulkner for preparing her both academically and spiritually for her career.
“I am so grateful for my experience at Faulkner University. The support I received was invaluable,” she said. “I was taught by professors who had a wonderful knowledge of the counseling and psychology world, but also had a strong faith. This allowed me to integrate these skills so that I can assist my clients in healing.”
She said faculty members, including Ms. Waters and Dr. Grunzke, challenged and encouraged her.
“They prepared me for graduate school and beyond,” Burbage said. “They also showed me how to integrate a career in science into a Christian walk. I am forever grateful for that leadership.”
