Sharmen Rutherford , LPC-MHSP, LPC

Sharmen Rutherford offers steady, practical support for people navigating stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma, eating concerns, depression, relationship issues, and other life challenges. With an emphasis on building hope and useful skills, she partners with individuals to strengthen resilience and create a clearer path forward when life feels overwhelming or messy.

She is dually licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Alabama and Tennessee - LPC and LPC-MHSP. LPC indicates a Licensed Professional Counselor credential, and LPC-MHSP denotes a license with a mental health service provider endorsement. In addition to her counseling licenses, she holds credentials as an Internationally Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor and as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and she is pursuing an Eating Disorders Specialist certification. Those qualifications inform a practice that addresses addictions, co-occurring disorders, trauma, eating and food-related issues, grief, school and work pressures, self-harm, and related concerns.

Across 16 years of clinical experience, she has worked with people facing a wide range of challenges and draws on evidence-informed methods to tailor care to each person’s needs. She is also a member of professional organizations focused on substance use, trauma, and eating disorder work. Her approach centers on building a trusting therapeutic relationship and equipping clients with practical tools that support long-term well-being.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying personal values and learning skills to accept difficult thoughts and feelings while taking purposeful action. It can be helpful for anxiety, depression, stress, and challenges that involve avoidance or stuck patterns. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people identify and adjust unhelpful thoughts and behaviors through practical, structured techniques, making it useful for anxiety, depression, and many day-to-day coping concerns. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental relationship where the therapist listens deeply and supports the client's own capacity for growth, which helps with self-esteem, relationship issues, and life transitions.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic work. Sharmen Rutherford collaborates with each person to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the plan as the work unfolds so it remains relevant and effective.

Online therapy lets clients connect by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexibility around work schedules, caregiving responsibilities, and geographic limitations. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care, try different communication styles, and integrate therapy into daily life with greater convenience.