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LPC-MHSP, LPC

Sharmen Rutherford, LPC-MHSP, LPC

  • Experience16 years
  • LocationAlabama
  • Focus areasADHD, Stress and Anxiety, and Addictions
  • Therapy approachesAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Client-Centered Therapy
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About Sharmen

Sharmen Rutherford draws on person-centered and evidence-based therapies to help people move through difficult seasons and find more effective ways to cope.

Background and approach

With 16 years of clinical experience, she blends acceptance-based work, cognitive strategies, mindfulness, and skills training to address concerns such as stress, anxiety, addiction, trauma, eating issues, depression, grief, and ADHD. Her approach emphasizes practical tools alongside emotional support so clients can build resilience and create clearer goals for change.

Rutherford maintains licenses as LPC-MHSP and LPC and brings a steady, compassionate presence to the therapeutic relationship. She has extensive experience with co-occurring concerns, relationship and self-esteem struggles, anger and sleep problems, bipolar disorder, and life transitions, and also focuses on areas like attachment, body image, codependency, domestic violence, and substance use.

Based in Alabama, she uses a collaborative style to tailor interventions to each person's needs while helping them learn strategies that fit day-to-day life. Clients can expect a mix of skill-building and acceptance work aimed at enhancing functioning and coping.

Rutherford invites people who are navigating complex emotions or persistent patterns to begin a process of exploration and gradual change, offering support and practical guidance along the way.

Online Therapy with Acceptance, Skills, and Mindfulness

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people clarify their values and take meaningful action even when difficult thoughts and feelings are present; it is often useful for stress, anxiety, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns through practical, structured techniques that can reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and some eating and sleep difficulties. Mindfulness Therapy cultivates present-moment awareness and nonjudgmental observation of thoughts and feelings, which can support emotional regulation and reduce reactivity in situations like anger, grief, or craving.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each client to determine which combination of ACT, CBT, mindfulness, DBT skills, or client-centered strategies best fits their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting methods as progress unfolds.

Online sessions make it easier to access consistent care through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for different schedules and communication styles. These options allow clients to practice skills and continue work between meetings while maintaining contact with a licensed professional who can tailor interventions to their daily life.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does this therapist address?
She works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, eating and food-related problems, depression, grief, ADHD, and relationship difficulties.
Which therapeutic styles are used in sessions?
Her work draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and Mindfulness Therapy to combine acceptance, skills training, and cognitive change techniques.
How long has she practiced?
She brings 16 years of clinical experience supporting people with addictions, co-occurring disorders, trauma-related concerns, eating concerns, depression, and other challenges.
Where is she licensed and located?
She holds LPC-MHSP and LPC credentials and practices from Alabama; license details include TN LPC-MHSP 6766 and AL LPC 4335.
Are sessions available in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English; she is not accepting international clients at this time.
What formats are offered for sessions?
Clients can connect through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different schedules and preferences.
How are fees and subscriptions handled?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability and services are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What do I do to begin working with her?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling based on therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseEating disordersDepression

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

Licensed

Alabama, Tennessee

Languages

English

What Sharmen can help with

Sharmen Rutherford works with clients on stress and anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, eating disorders, and depression.

How Sharmen approaches therapy

Sharmen's clinical approaches include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Somatic Therapy.

Experience and training

Sharmen is a Licensed Professional Counselor Mental Health Service Provider practicing in Alabama, with 16 years of clinical experience.

Sharmen has been a member of the Alabama Alcohol & Drug Abuse Association.