Find a therapist in Mobile, AL — covered by insurance

Are you feeling stuck between who you are and who you know you were meant to be? I help clients grappling with meaning, mortality, authenticity, and purpose. Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), I specialize in depression, anxieties, and addictions that have these deeper existential roots. I help people struggling with shame, loneliness, heartbreak, aging, illness, grief, and loss of meaning build a life worth living and a Self worth living it. I believe in building new skills. But my ultimate aim is to help you find and liberate your higher Self.

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.

I guide individuals, families, and groups towards personal balance by using the Six Dimensions of Wellness as a framework. Consider me a navigator for personal exploration and discovery. Clients are invited to gather diverse 'souvenirs' for their life's journey home.

As a single mom of color, I have witnessed the extreme societal pressure placed on mothers to choose between their career or their children; leaving little room to even provide attention to their own self care. This ignited a passion within me to use my skills to support women to navigate through the chaos. My goal is to work with those women who may need help coping through these very real everyday stressors. Not a mom? That's ok! I can also empathize with the pressure placed on women of color in the workplace to work so much harder than their male counterparts. Its my hope to create a safe space for you to explore these feelings.

It can be challenging at times for women to have access to a therapist who can empathize with their experiences. Through a strengths based approach, I would love to share my personal experience with being a woman of color, a mom, a Christian, as well as a goal oriented professional in non-profit leadership and mental health.

Through this journey, I want you to find a sense of fulfillment, purpose, and self worth and I would be honored to take that walk with you. Our sessions will not be for me to "social work" you, but for you to unload some of the pressure and burden to make the ride a bit easier. No matter what it feels like, you got this... you can do this!

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 13 years of experience supporting individuals and families of various ages. With my skill set I help clients navigate depression, anxiety, postpartum, family stress, intimate partner violence, crisis interventions, major life transitions and so much more. I provide therapy services and specialize in conducting comprehensive biopsychosocial and diagnostic assessments for individuals seeking mental health evaluation, diagnosis, and support. Helping individuals gain a clearer understanding of their mental health through comprehensive evaluations. I help individuals gain a clearer understanding of their mental health through comprehensive evaluations.

Using clinical diagnostic tools, I evaluate presenting symptoms and provide accurate diagnoses. I gather detailed background information and use evidence-based diagnostic methods to determine the most clinically appropriate diagnosis. During the assessment process, I draw from structured interviews, standardized measures, and clinical observation to gain a comprehensive understanding of each individual’s emotional, behavioral, and psychological functioning. Once the diagnostic evaluation is complete, I provide appropriate referrals tailored to each client’s needs—whether that includes specialized therapy/treatment, psychiatry for medication management/evaluation, or other supportive services. I am committed to helping clients access the right level of care and begin a treatment plan that aligns with their goals, symptoms, and long-term well-being.

Healing happens when you feel seen, supported, and empowered to move forward. I work with individuals, couples, and families navigating anxiety, OCD, family conflict, anger management, and cultural & ethnic identity concerns while also helping clients facing depression, trauma, stress, grief, ADHD, relationship challenges, women's issues, physical health concerns, and life transitions. With more than 17 years of experience in mental health, I bring a diverse background that includes private practice, school counseling, and serving as an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant. These experiences have strengthened my belief that lasting growth happens through meaningful connections—with ourselves, our relationships, and our communities. Whether you're seeking support during a difficult season or looking to create lasting change, I'm committed to meeting you where you are with compassion, respect, and practical guidance.

My approach to therapy is warm, collaborative, and strengths based. I focus on creating a space where you feel safe, welcomed, and able to be yourself without fear of judgment. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, stress, life changes, or personal challenges, I work alongside you to understand what’s most important and support you in moving toward meaningful growth and lasting change.