Family therapy and counseling in Alabama

I am Janet P. Stoudenmire-Smith, owner of Alabama Wellness and Recovery Services and a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S). I specialize in working with adolescents, adults, families, veterans, and court-referred clients experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, anger management concerns, substance use issues, family conflict, stress, and life transitions. My goal is to help clients find healing, hope, and wellness.

I am a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Alabama, with over 20 years of experience working with individuals addressing mental and behavioral health issues. I have worked with diverse populations in various treatment settings to include: crisis stabilization, inpatient psychiatric and detox, residential, re-entry correctional facilities, out patient, and independent contract settings. I inherently believe that all human beings do the very best that they can, at any given time, with the knowledge skills and resources they have at that time. Life is full of changes and transitions, and many times the skills we used to cope during one phase, are not adequate for the next. I practice holistically, pulling from a vast array of theories and methodologies to help clients struggling with: self image/self esteem, stress management, relational discord, over thinking, life transitions, emotion regulation, mind body connection, role performance, assertiveness, boundaries, CNS dysregulation, and trauma.

Hello. My name is Rekita Jackson and I am the owner of 2nd Chances Better Choices Counseling and Consulting Services. I'm a Licenced Professional Counselor and also hold certifications in Grief Couseling and Anger Management. I have over 20 years of experience in helping people within the behavioral / mental health community.

I specialize in individual, family and group counseling. My particular interests are working with individuals who are struggling with personal life stressors, depression, anxiety, anger, grief, substance abuse and re-entry counseling.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with more than 17 years of experience supporting individuals and families across the lifespan, from the perinatal period through older adulthood. My professional background includes private practice, school counseling, and serving as an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant. All of these experiences deepened my understanding of how early life experiences shape long-term mental health and well-being. I believe healing and resilience are strengthened through meaningful connections—whether through family, community, or chosen support systems.

I have been a SW for 29 years. I received my bachelors of social work from Southern University and A&M College and my masters of social work from Southern at New Orleans. As a SW, at DCFS/CW, I have served as in Investigations, Foster Care, Family Service, Adoption, and as a Child Welfare Supervisor, CW Trainer, and a CW Manager. PRN work included working in MH/SA, hospitals, hospice and school SW. I am a TBRI Pract. & adoption competent. I help people who seek help! I retired from DCFS on 01/21/2026. Please see link below on the impact I’ve made on people across the state and allow me to help you too. Please message me for an appointment. Thank you.

https://youtu.be/XQ9RdZwCRW8

Clients should know that I am deeply committed to creating a space where honesty, healing, and emotional safety can exist without judgment. I understand that coming to therapy often requires courage, especially when life feels overwhelming, complicated, or uncertain. My approach is grounded in respect, authenticity, and clinical integrity. I value the therapeutic relationship and believe that meaningful change happens when clients feel seen, heard, and understood - not rushed, dismissed, or judged.

I bring both professional expertise and real-world understanding into my work. Due to having worked in a forensic psychiatric setting for over 16 years, I have experience working with complex emotional, behavioral, and trauma-related challenges. I approach each client with the belief that behavior is often a response to pain, and healing begins when we understand the story behind the behavior.

Clients should also know that I am direct, compassionate, and intentional in my work. I will support you, but I will also gently challenge patterns that may be keeping you stuck. My goal is not just to help you cope, but to help you grow, heal, and move toward a more grounded and peaceful version of yourself. I deeply respect each client’s pace and process. You are not expected to have everything figured out when you arrive. Therapy is a space for exploration, reflection, and growth.

Above all, I believe that healing is possible, change is achievable, and no one is too far gone to begin again.

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.

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.