

Headway connects Memphis residents struggling with substance use, alcohol, or behavioral addictions to 362 licensed providers specializing in evidence-based recovery approaches like CBT, motivational interviewing, and harm reduction. Our providers offer flexible virtual or in-person sessions with free consultations and availability within two weeks.
Loving someone who struggles with addiction can quietly take over your whole life. You worry constantly, you smooth things over, you set a boundary and then talk yourself right out of it, and somewhere along the way you lose track of your own needs. If that's you, I understand it in a way that goes beyond training. Alongside my years as a counselor, I've spent more than two decades in the Al-Anon community, and I work with adults who are worn down from caring for, worrying about, or trying to fix someone they love. You don't have to keep carrying it alone.
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.
I became an LCSW after starting my career as a community-based social worker, supporting individuals and families navigating complex, real-life challenges. That work taught me the value of showing up with presence, respect, and a deep understanding of the systems that impact people’s lives.
My path to becoming a therapist was also shaped by my own experiences with healing and growth. I know what it’s like to do the inner work—to sit with discomfort, learn new tools, and slowly build something stronger from within. That personal insight informs how I show up in the therapy room: with empathy, curiosity, and compassion.
Motherhood has further deepened my approach. It’s taught me about vulnerability, patience, and the ongoing process of becoming—qualities I carry into my work with clients. I believe healing doesn’t happen in isolation; it happens in safe, supportive relationships, and I’m honored to offer that space to others.
I am a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner serving clients in Tennessee. I specialize in helping clients manage depression, anxiety, OCD, insomnia, PTSD, substance abuse, and bipolar disorder with a combination of medication and therapy.
I want you to know that you’ll be met with respect, compassion, and understanding. With over 30 years of total experience and 19 years as a Licensed Professional Counselor, I’ve worked with individuals facing Substance use / addiction, Anxiety, Depression, and stress. I believe in creating a safe, supportive space where you can be open and honest. We’ll work together at a pace that feels right for you, focusing on growth, healing, and practical tools for moving forward.
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’m a dual certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who provides thoughtful, individualized medication management for anxiety, depression, and mood-related concerns. I understand how overwhelming it can feel when your mind isn’t working the way you want it to. I specialize in mood disorders, ADHD, addiction, anxiety and PTSD across the lifespan
My name is Emily Hand, I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, certified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), an evidence-based therapy that is particularly effective for trauma. With 8 years of experience, I work with adults and have a diverse background of experience with trauma, addiction, compulsive behaviors, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, and relationship problems. I’m passionate about this work, because when we internalize pain we often believe there’s something wrong with us, but what I’ve found is that it’s not about who you are, but what has happened to you — and the ripple effects that follow.


Headway makes it easier to find support for overcoming addiction — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Searching for addiction therapists in Memphis starts with finding someone whose experience matches the type of support you want. Addiction care can include support for alcohol use, drug use, sexual behavior concerns, gambling, or other behavioral patterns. Some therapists use motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy for substance use, or harm reduction-informed approaches. If medication may be part of your care, you may also want a psychiatrist or other prescriber on your care team.
Memphis has a range of addiction therapists, but the right fit depends on more than specialty. Consider whether you prefer in-person sessions near your neighborhood or virtual appointments that widen your options across Tennessee. Look for therapists who are accepting new patients, offer appointment times that fit your schedule, and clearly describe their approach to addiction recovery. Reading therapist bios can help you see whether they use a direct, nonjudgmental style and have experience with the concerns you want to address.
Addiction therapy in Memphis can be a significant investment without insurance. Using in-network insurance is one of the most reliable ways to reduce session costs and understand what you may pay before you book. Headway helps you find addiction therapists who accept a wide range of insurance plans, show available appointment times, and offer profile details that make comparing fit easier. You can browse therapists, review bios, and book directly when you’re ready.
If you or someone you know is experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms — especially from alcohol or benzodiazepines — talk to a medical provider or seek emergency care before starting outpatient therapy. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or substance use and is in a crisis, immediately reach out to:
* 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988 * SAMHSA National Helpline — 1-800-662-HELP (4357), free, confidential, 24/7 * Crisis Text Line — text HOME to 741741
If you're already taking psychiatric medication and considering switching providers, talk to your current prescriber before changing or stopping any medication — most psychiatric medications shouldn't be stopped abruptly. Anyone experiencing thoughts of self-harm or in acute crisis should call 988 or go to the nearest emergency department rather than wait for an outpatient appointment.
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