Family therapy and counseling in Clarksville, TN

You might look like you have everything together on the outside, but inside you feel overwhelmed, anxious, or mentally exhausted from carrying so much for so long. When you’re used to being the strong one, it can be hard to slow down or ask for help. You don’t have to do this alone. I provide a supportive space where you can understand your emotions, reduce stress, and begin moving toward feeling more balanced, confident, and in control.

With over 43 years of experience, I am passionate about helping individuals, adolescents, and couples navigate life’s challenges. I specialize in working with clients facing anxiety, depression, divorce, grief, trauma, school-related concerns, parenting challenges, and relationship issues. My approach is grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), combined with a truth-filled Christian perspective, fostering strength, resilience, and hope.

I believe in treating every client with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. Through a non-judgmental, supportive, and honest approach, I empower individuals to overcome obstacles and work toward a peaceful, meaningful, and purpose-filled life.

For more than 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside individuals, couples, and families as they work toward healing, growth, and change. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor, and Substance Abuse Professional, I bring both deep clinical knowledge and a compassionate, down-to-earth approach to therapy.

I specialize in helping clients navigate life’s most personal challenges—including relationship and intimacy concerns, life transitions, grief and loss, trauma, and mental health struggles. I also provide substance abuse treatment, DOT/SAP evaluations, and recovery support using evidence-based approaches such as CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, Reality Therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT, the Duluth Model, and the Matrix Model.

I have a special commitment to serving Black communities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people living with HIV, re-entry populations, sex workers, and youth facing challenges. I understand how personal, cultural, and systemic factors shape each person’s story, and I create a safe, affirming space where clients feel truly seen and heard.

In our sessions, you can expect a respectful, judgment-free environment where your voice matters. I believe therapy works best as a partnership—we’ll set goals together, explore what’s holding you back, and develop practical strategies you can use in daily life a more fulfilling life. Whether you’re seeking support for a specific issue or simply want to invest in your personal growth, I’m here to help you take that next step.

Sharmen Rutherford is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Mental Health Service Provider, Internationally Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and a Ketamine Integration Therapist. She is currently accruing hours to earn her Certified Eating Disorder Specialist credential through the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals and has completed Vital’s Psychedelics Assisted Psychotherapy and Ketamine Integration Therapy Program.

With more than 17 years of professional clinical experience in the counseling field, Sharmen has helped clients facing addiction and substance use disorders, anxiety, co-occurring disorders, depression, eating disorders, trauma, PTSD, self-harm, school pressures, relationship issues, loss and grief. It is her passion to provide college students, young adults, women, and men with the tools and resources that they need to cope and make a better life for themselves.

Sharmen holds a Master of Arts degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Alabama. She has provided mental health services to adolescents and adults for numerous local mental health organizations, including an alternative school, the Alabama Department of Mental Health at Taylor Hardin Secure Medical Facility, two residential substance abuse treatment facilities, and a halfway house.

Sharmen is a former Advisory Board member and a Board of Directors member for 3 years for the Alabama School of Alcohol and other Drug Studies. She is also a former Board of Directors Hospitality Chair and Secretary of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals for the Alabama Chapter.

Launched in June 2018, Sharmen is also the founder of All Things New Counseling Services, LLC located in Johnson City, Tennessee.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I have more than ten years experience providing services to individuals age 4 to 60+, with my primary practice focus working with children and adolescents, young adults, and parents/caregivers. I am a Certified Parent Peer Support Specialist in addition to my clinical licensure. I have experience working with a variety of diagnoses, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, Autism, ADHD, etc. I have also worked with individuals with mild to moderate cognitive disabilities in addition to their mental health diagnoses.