

Whether you're navigating alcohol addiction, drug dependence, or behavioral addictions like gambling or gaming, Huntsville has access to Headway's comprehensive network of treatment-focused providers. Sessions can start as soon as tomorrow, and many patients save up to 75% on care through insurance coverage.
North Indian-Born. Montgomery, AL-Raised. Montevallo-Crafted. Birmingham-Local. USAF-Kid. Preacher's Kid deconstructing my idea of the Creator. Wife. Mom. Therapist. Cat-Lover. Slytherin House. Coffee Enthusiast. Writer. Speaker. - You are everything you have built. -
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 am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Doctorate in Social Work, and I bring both clinical expertise and real life understanding into the therapy space. My professional background includes years of direct clinical practice as well as leadership roles in complex, high stress systems, including serving as a Mental Health Director. These experiences have shaped my ability to support individuals who are navigating pressure, responsibility, and emotional overwhelm while still being expected to function at a high level.
I work best with clients who are strong on the outside but struggling internally. Many of the people I support are women, mothers, professionals, caregivers, and helpers who are used to showing up for others while neglecting their own emotional needs. I have a particular passion for working with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, imposter syndrome, burnout, life transitions, relationship stress, identity concerns, and trauma related to past or ongoing stressors.
Therapy with me is not about having all the answers. It is about learning how to trust yourself, set healthy boundaries, and show up for your life with more compassion and confidence.
Chris is a Licensed Professional Counselor with several years of experience delivering holistic, trauma-informed, and client-centered care. His integrative therapeutic approach draws on Brainspotting, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and multicultural perspectives. As a therapist, his goal is to empower you to tap into your inner strength and resilience, giving you the tools to reclaim control over your life. He strives to create a space that is compassionate and empathetic; a space where you can express yourself freely and without judgement. Chris collaborates with clients to address life’s transitions, chronic health concerns, trauma, grief, stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, and identity-related issues.
As a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC), I am passionate about helping individuals heal from the wounds that continue to shape their present. I am the CEO and Founder of Mental Freedom Counseling Services LLC, proudly recognized with the Best of Alabama 2026 Award in Counseling and Therapy Practices. I work with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, life transitions, self-esteem concerns, and substance use, while maintaining a special passion for attachment wounds and the lasting impact of childhood experiences. I believe many of our current struggles make sense when we understand where they began.
My goal is to provide a compassionate, supportive environment where you feel truly seen and understood. Together, we'll identify patterns that no longer serve you, strengthen healthier ways of coping, and work toward lasting emotional freedom. Whether you're navigating painful relationships, unresolved trauma, or simply feeling stuck, I strive to help you build insight, healing, and confidence so you can create the life and relationships you deserve.
Kayla, a licensed Clinical Social Worker with a background in community mental health, recognized the profound disparities in access to mental health care within BIPOC communities. Inspired by a vision of creating a space where healing is both inclusive and affordable, she founded Helen’s Project with the belief that everyone deserves access to quality mental health support, regardless of their background or financial situation.Helen’s Project operates on the principle that culturally competent and empathetic mental health care is essential for holistic well-being. The organization collaborates with a diverse team of mental health professionals who not only possess clinical expertise but also understand the unique cultural nuances and challenges faced by the BIPOC community.
Clients should know that I bring both professional expertise and genuine compassion to every session. I specialize in working with neurodiverse individuals, people managing anxiety or depression, and those navigating major life transitions. My approach is client-centered and collaborative, meaning I value your voice in the process and tailor our work together to your unique goals.
I believe in creating a safe, supportive space where you can be fully yourself without judgment. My role is to listen, guide, and equip you with tools that promote resilience, self-awareness, and growth. I also understand the importance of balancing mental health with real-life challenges like school, work, and relationships, and I integrate practical strategies to help you thrive in each area.
Most importantly, I want clients to know that they are not alone. Together, we will work at a pace that feels right for you, focusing on both healing and building the confidence to move forward.
You’re capable and use to managing a lot, but lately life feels overwhelming.
I’m Ashley Walay, LICSW, and I work with BIPOC women and LGBTQ+ individuals, professionals, single parents, and military-connected individuals (including spouses, veterans, contractors, and civilian employees) experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, burnout, chronic stress, and life transitions.
I value clear, direct communication and tailor therapy to your needs, whether you want tools or space to process. Together, we’ll work toward greater clarity, balance, and confidence.
I am a licensed professional counselor. I have been working in the mental health field for over six years. I have a Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I love working with people from all walks of life.
Thank you for taking this step of therapy. I am here to support you in your journey to healing. I'd like to support you with managing individual and Family concerns. We will utilize healthier coping skills, problem-solving techniques, decision-making tools and individualized effective techniques that serves your unique goals for therapy. I look forward to seeing you soon.
It is my mission to foster greater self-awareness and self- care, while improving individuals' ability to love their self and others, ultimately striving to live a fulfilled life. I strive to support the community by providing individual, couples counseling. I am experienced in working with individuals 18 & up that suffer from: anxiety, anger, blended families, career exploration, couples counseling, depression, family conflict, PTSD, relationships, self-control, sex counseling, sexual orientation, social skills, substance abuse, trauma and sports performance in athletics.
I specialize in following areas: Couples Counseling, PTSD, Anxiety, Adolescents and Depression. My goal is to empower my clients to break negative patterns of thinking, feeling and communicating, developing a heightened self- awareness that will produce lifestyle change resulting in greater mental, physical and spiritual functioning within their lives.


Headway makes it easier to find support for overcoming addiction — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Finding the right addiction therapist in Huntsville starts with identifying the type of support you need. Addiction counseling can address a range of concerns — from alcohol and substance use to behavioral patterns like gambling. Look for a licensed provider, such as an LPC, LICSW, or psychologist, who has specific experience with addiction or substance use disorders. Providers may use established therapeutic approaches to support behavior change and coping skills; a licensed professional can help determine what type of care may be appropriate for your needs.
Practical factors matter, too. Consider whether you prefer in-person sessions in the Huntsville, Madison, or Decatur area, or whether virtual appointments fit your schedule better. Reading a provider's bio before booking can give you a sense of their style and approach, so you can feel more confident about the fit.
Addiction counseling in Huntsville can be expensive without insurance, but affordable options exist when you use your in-network benefits. On Headway, you can enter your insurance details to see estimated session costs before you book. Nationally, Headway partners with over 100 insurance plans, and many patients pay as low as $0 per visit — making it easier to find a provider who specializes in addiction and accepts your plan.
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