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About

A Space for Healing, Growth, and Support
Learn more about our mission, approach, and commitment to helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with compassion and care.

A Message from Shari & Whitney

We’re Shari Nehemiah, LPC and Whitney Shelton, LPC – the co-founders of The Mental Space.

The Mental Space was created from a shared belief: healing happens when people feel safe, seen, and truly understood. Over the years, through our work in different mental health settings and with diverse populations, we noticed something consistent – people were often carrying heavy emotional burdens without having a consistent, supportive place to process them. We wanted to change that.

We came together with a vision to build a practice that feels warm, real, and accessible. A space where you don’t have to have the “perfect words,” where you’re not judged for your story, and where you can show up exactly as you are. Between us, we bring experience working with children, teens, adults, families, incarcerated individuals, individuals facing substance use challenges, and moms navigating pregnancy, postpartum, and all the emotional transitions that come with it.

At The Mental Space, we are committed to helping people navigate life’s daily stressors, major life transitions, grief, trauma, anxiety, and everything in between. We believe therapy should feel like a partnership – one where you are supported, encouraged, and equipped with practical tools to build resilience and create meaningful change in your life.

Our heart is to serve the community by making mental health support feel approachable, compassionate, and human. Whether you are beginning your healing journey, rediscovering yourself, or simply needing a place to breathe, we are here to walk alongside you – every step of the way.

Shari Nehemiah, LPC

Shari Nehemiah is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Alabama (License #LPC04441) and the co-founder of The Mental Space. She believes therapy should feel like a safe, calm space where people can slow down, be heard, and begin to heal.
Shari earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Clark Atlanta University and her Master of Arts in Community Counseling from Argosy University. She has worked in various mental health settings, including supporting incarcerated individuals and individuals experiencing substance use challenges.
She is also trained in perinatal mental health and has a strong passion for supporting moms through pregnancy, postpartum, and the emotional changes that come with parenthood. This work is deeply personal to her, shaped by both professional experience and lived understanding.
Shari is compassionate and committed to helping individuals navigate life’s daily stressors and create meaningful change. She creates a safe, supportive space where healing and growth can take place, allowing clients to build resilience and find balance as they manage life’s challenges.
Through individual therapy, Shari supports clients as they move through everyday stress, major life transitions, and the unique experiences of the perinatal and postpartum periods – empowering women and families to heal, grow, and thrive as they navigate the journey of parenthood.

Whitney Shelton, LPC

Whitney Shelton is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Alabama (License #LPC04568) and the co-founder of The Mental Space. She has over 12 years of experience supporting children, teens, adults, and families as they navigate life’s challenges. Whitney earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Troy University.
Whitney believes that prioritizing your mental health is one of the most meaningful investments you can make in yourself, and she is committed to walking alongside clients throughout their healing journey. Her approach is warm, laid-back, and approachable, creating a space where clients can feel comfortable showing up as their authentic selves without pressure or judgment.
She is guided by the belief that meaningful change begins when a person feels truly seen and understood. In therapy, Whitney focuses on building a strong, trusting relationship where clients feel safe, supported, and valued. Together, she helps clients explore their stories, recognize their strengths, and develop practical tools that support growth, balance, and emotional well-being.
Whitney has a grief-informed approach and supports clients through emotional pain, identity shifts, and major life transitions. She believes therapy does not have to feel overwhelming, and she strives to meet clients where they are with empathy and encouragement.
Ultimately, Whitney’s goal is to help clients navigate life’s challenges while discovering and stepping into the best version of themselves – at their own pace and in their own way, with greater confidence, clarity, and peace.