- Focus on thoughts and habits
- Practical skills between sessions
- 16 years experience
About Sharmen
Sharmen Rutherford is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 16 years of clinical experience. She offers a calm, straightforward approach to help people manage stress, anxiety, addiction concerns, and everyday habits around thinking and behavior. Sharmen aims to give practical tools and steady support during hard seasons of life.
She focuses on common struggles such as depression, grief, sleep problems, anger, and self-esteem. She also helps people dealing with trauma, eating and food-related issues, bipolar challenges, and ADHD. Relationship concerns, career pressures, and compassion fatigue are among other areas she addresses.
Sharmen uses a mix of therapies, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, client-centered methods, and mindfulness practices. Sessions typically emphasize simple skills people can try between meetings to change thoughts and daily habits that get in the way.
Her background includes work with substance use and co-occurring disorders and a focus on trauma-related issues. She holds LPC-MHSP and LPC credentials and brings years of experience supporting clients through life transitions and recovery-related goals.
Sharmen works from Alabama and conducts sessions in English. Her process begins with getting to know a person, listening to their priorities, and building a plan that fits their goals and daily life.
She focuses on common struggles such as depression, grief, sleep problems, anger, and self-esteem. She also helps people dealing with trauma, eating and food-related issues, bipolar challenges, and ADHD. Relationship concerns, career pressures, and compassion fatigue are among other areas she addresses.
Sharmen uses a mix of therapies, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, client-centered methods, and mindfulness practices. Sessions typically emphasize simple skills people can try between meetings to change thoughts and daily habits that get in the way.
Her background includes work with substance use and co-occurring disorders and a focus on trauma-related issues. She holds LPC-MHSP and LPC credentials and brings years of experience supporting clients through life transitions and recovery-related goals.
Sharmen works from Alabama and conducts sessions in English. Her process begins with getting to know a person, listening to their priorities, and building a plan that fits their goals and daily life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
LGBTRelationship issuesGriefSleeping disordersAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional focus areas
Attachment issuesBody imageCodependencyCommitment issuesControl issuesDissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic approaches
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy
Experience
16+ years
Credentials
Alabama, Tennessee
Languages
English
Therapeutic approaches and how they help online
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people notice difficult thoughts without getting stuck in them and then take actions that match their values. It is often useful for anxiety, stress, and making behavioral changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying unhelpful thought patterns and trying different responses; it can help with depression, worry, and changing daily habits. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to reduce reactivity and improve focus during stressful moments.Finding the right approach is usually a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what has worked before. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust the plan as progress is made.
The original biography does not list specific online formats, so please confirm current session options before booking. Many people find online sessions help fit therapy into busy schedules, allow shorter check-ins during a workday, or reduce travel time. Others appreciate using skills learned in session right away in their daily routines. Licensed professionals can adapt ACT, CBT, and mindfulness techniques for remote meetings to focus on changing thoughts and everyday habits.
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Sharmen often address?
She helps with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma, depression, eating and sleep issues, anger, self-esteem, ADHD, and related life changes.
What is her therapy style like?
Her style is straightforward and practical. Sessions focus on changing unhelpful thoughts and everyday habits with skills to practice between meetings.
How much experience does the therapist have?
Sharmen has 16 years of experience working in counseling and addiction-related settings.
What credentials and location are listed?
She holds LPC-MHSP and LPC credentials and is based in Alabama.
Which languages are supported and are international clients possible?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not specify session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.
How does pricing work for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist scheduling; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin working together?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.