Excellent experience, and has provided some helpful insights.
Sharmen Rutherford, LPC
Experienced mental health professional
Provides online counseling through BetterHelp
At a glance
Sharmen is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.
- 4.5 stars
- Clients are very satisfied with Sharmen. View 5 reviews
- Speaks English
- Offers Telehealth visits
- Licensed in Alabama and Tennessee
Recent reviews
Sharmen Rutherford is great! She gave me a book recommendation that has absolutely blown my mind. She listens and seems to genuinely care. This is something I’ve never really had before so I am thankful.
More about Sharmen
- 16 years' experience
- Female
- LPC, LPC-MHSP
Life isn't always easy. At times, things just don't seem right or the way that we would like for them to be. Life can be frustrating, overwhelming, complicated and down-right messy. It is during these difficult seasons that I would like to come alongside you and offer strength, hope and encouragement and to equip you with the tools you need to make a better future for yourself.
I am a dually Licensed Professional Counselor in Alabama and Tennessee, an Internationally Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and am currently pursuing an Eating Disorders Specialist certification. I have 16 years of experience helping clients with addictions, co-occurring disorders, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, trauma, PTSD, self-harm, school pressures and grief.
I am a member of the Alabama Alcohol & Drug Abuse Association, International Consortium of Alcohol & Drug Counselors, International Association of Trauma Professionals, and the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals.
I look forward to getting to know you and building a therapeutic relationship that will help lead you to your best life!
Specialties
Stress
Anxiety
Addictions
Trauma and abuse
Eating disorders
Depression
LGBT
Relationship issues
Grief
Sleeping disorders
Anger management
Self esteem
Career difficulties
Bipolar disorder
Coping with life changes
Coaching
Compassion fatigue
ADHD
Attachment issues
Body image
Codependency
Commitment issues
Control issues
Dissociation
Divorce and separation
Domestic violence
Drug and alcohol addiction
Eating and food-related issues
Emptiness
Family of origin issues
Family problems
First responder issues
Forgiveness
Guilt and shame
Infidelity
Isolation / loneliness
Life purpose
Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
Mood disorders
Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
Panic disorder and panic attacks
Postpartum depression
Post-traumatic stress
Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Self-harm
Sexual assault and abuse
Social anxiety and phobia
Women's issues
Workplace issues
Young adult issues
Treatment Approaches
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Somatic Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Licenses
Sharmen Rutherford's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1821697848.
- LPC · Alabama · 4335 · Expires July 2026
- LPC-MHSP · Tennessee · 6766 · Expires November 2025
About online counseling
- Affordable.
- Pay a low flat fee.
- Convenient.
- Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
- Available now.
- There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.
Online counseling, also known as teletherapy, is a method of delivering mental health services through digital means such as video conferencing, phone calls, or messaging platforms. It can be an ideal option for individuals who have difficulty accessing traditional therapy due to geographical distance, time constraints, or personal preferences like privacy and comfort. Many people find it easier to open up from the familiarity of their own space.
Teletherapy has been found to be highly effective, with studies showing that it can produce similar outcomes to in-person therapy, particularly for issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The flexibility and accessibility it offers make it a valuable alternative to conventional therapy settings.
Reviews for Sharmen Rutherford
All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.
Overall rating:
Excellent experience, and has provided some helpful insights.
Sharmen Rutherford is great! She gave me a book recommendation that has absolutely blown my mind. She listens and seems to genuinely care. This is something I’ve never really had before so I am thankful.
Sharmen is so kind and helpful. Thankful for her!
Sharmen is so understanding, and helpful. So grateful to have her as my therapist
She is Amazing!
Frequently asked questions
Does Sharmen Rutherford offer telehealth visits?
Yes. Sharmen Rutherford works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.
What language(s) does Sharmen Rutherford speak?
Sharmen Rutherford speaks English.
How many years of experience does Sharmen Rutherford have?
Sharmen Rutherford has 16 years of experience.
Where is Sharmen Rutherford licensed to practice?
Sharmen Rutherford is licensed to practice in Alabama and Tennessee.
Does Sharmen Rutherford accept clients outside of the United States?
No, Sharmen Rutherford does not accept clients outside of the United States.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."
What treatment approaches does Sharmen Rutherford offer?
Sharmen Rutherford offers clients Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Somatic Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Therapy.
How can I communicate with Sharmen Rutherford?
Sharmen Rutherford can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.
How do I get started with Sharmen Rutherford?
Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.
Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.
And recovery is possible.
When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.