Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Alabama covered by Cigna

I believe healing is a personal journey, and no two paths look the same. My role is to walk alongside you with compassion, support, and practical guidance as you navigate life's challenges, reconnect with yourself, and create lasting, meaningful change. I work with adults through various seasons of change including midlife, pressures of the sandwich generation, dealing with trauma, and relationship/communication challenges, anxiety and depression. I believe these seasons, while often difficult, can also become opportunities for healing, growth, and discovering a renewed sense of purpose.

If you're constantly questioning yourself after a toxic relationship, feeling stuck in anxiety, struggling to trust again, or carrying the weight of emotional abuse, you're not alone. Many of the women I work with are healing from narcissistic abuse, betrayal trauma, domestic violence, relationship wounds, depression, stress, or overwhelming self-doubt. Together, we'll help you reconnect with your voice, rebuild your confidence, establish healthy boundaries, and create a life that feels safe, fulfilling, and truly your own.

I enjoy working with individuals and families as well as children and adolescents. I collaborate with clients to identify their strengths and the areas where they wish to grow or change. I offer a safe and supportive environment for clients to process their emotions and be seen, heard, and validated. Ultimately, I strive to empower and challenge clients to create meaningful change and live wholehearted lives.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. I have been licensed for 24 years and have worked with children and adults in Community Mental Health settings, parenting programs, Child Protective Services and drug education. I use person-centered, behavior therapy, thought changing, unconditional positive regard, solution-focused and reality therapy to name a few. I have worked with ADHD, OCD, grief issues, trauma and abuse, and mental illness.

I truly desire to my clients succeed in the counseling process.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor whose career journey spans over 20 yrs. I hold a Master’s Degree in Christian Counseling from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC and earned my Bachelor's Degree from St. Louis University. My unique training and education allow me to practice clinically while integrating spiritual aspects if the client chooses to do so. I hold a Certificate in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health from Troy University and am also a Certified Gottman Seven Principles Workshop Facilitator, which allows me to enhance the quality of relationships for my clients.

My clinical experience includes working with individuals, couples, families, children/adolescents, victims of sexual assault and domestic violence and group facilitation. Throughout my profession I have worked in a community mental health agency setting, private practice, crisis center, rehabilitation facility and serving parishioners at a church. I specialize in anxiety, anger management, depression, relationships and low self-esteem.

When you've been carrying anxiety, relationship stress, or the pressure of holding everything together for so long, it can start to feel like you're simply surviving instead of truly living. You may be showing up for everyone else while quietly wondering when you'll have the chance to take care of yourself. You deserve a space where you can let your guard down and be met with compassion instead of judgment. I provide virtual therapy for adults throughout Alabama, helping people navigate anxiety, depression, stress management, and relationship issues while also supporting family concerns, grief and loss, and women's issues that often become part of the same journey. My goal is to create a welcoming environment where you feel genuinely heard, reconnect with your strengths, and begin building a life that feels more peaceful, balanced, and fulfilling.

Sharmen Rutherford is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Mental Health Service Provider, Internationally Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and a Ketamine Integration Therapist. She is currently accruing hours to earn her Certified Eating Disorder Specialist credential through the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals and has completed Vital’s Psychedelics Assisted Psychotherapy and Ketamine Integration Therapy Program.

With more than 17 years of professional clinical experience in the counseling field, Sharmen has helped clients facing addiction and substance use disorders, anxiety, co-occurring disorders, depression, eating disorders, trauma, PTSD, self-harm, school pressures, relationship issues, loss and grief. It is her passion to provide college students, young adults, women, and men with the tools and resources that they need to cope and make a better life for themselves.

Sharmen holds a Master of Arts degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Alabama. She has provided mental health services to adolescents and adults for numerous local mental health organizations, including an alternative school, the Alabama Department of Mental Health at Taylor Hardin Secure Medical Facility, two residential substance abuse treatment facilities, and a halfway house.

Sharmen is a former Advisory Board member and a Board of Directors member for 3 years for the Alabama School of Alcohol and other Drug Studies. She is also a former Board of Directors Hospitality Chair and Secretary of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals for the Alabama Chapter.

Launched in June 2018, Sharmen is also the founder of All Things New Counseling Services, LLC located in Johnson City, Tennessee.

As a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), I am passionate about helping people move beyond simply surviving and begin thriving! I believe therapy should be a space where you feel seen, supported, challenged, empowered to create meaningful change in your life, and did I say feel seen?! :-)

I bring knowledge and experience from over three decades in both public mental health settings and private practice and over twenty years teaching psychology and human development. I'm here to support you on your journey to well-being and look forward to working together. I have special sensitivity for neurodivergence, including issues unique to 2E.