Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Memphis, TN covered by Cigna

I’m Amanda, and I became a therapist because I believe everyone deserves a place where they can show up exactly as they are. I bring warmth, authenticity, and even a bit of humor into the room when it feels right. I want you to feel genuinely seen—not judged—and supported in whatever you’re working through.

I’ve been in the counseling field for over 15 years and hold a PhD in Counselor Education from the University of Tennessee. My experience ranges from private practice and telehealth to correctional mental health, hospitals, and leadership roles in community programs. A. Simms Resume copy

I work with adults experiencing mood challenges, anxiety, identity concerns, life transitions, and LGBTQIA+ experiences, as well as individuals who are justice-involved or adjusting to major life changes. My approach integrates CBT, ACT, and Reality Therapy, giving us room to explore both deeper patterns and practical skills.

Clients describe me as encouraging, steady, and real—someone who helps them feel grounded and capable while taking meaningful steps toward a more balanced and authentic life.

Welcome! As a licensed marriage and family therapist my goal is to create a safe and warm environment so that my clients feel comfortable as we get to know each other. I enjoy working with individual adults who are dealing a wide range of stressors.

With over 30 years of experience as a therapist, I bring both deep expertise and genuine compassion to every client I work with. I specialize in helping individuals navigate anxiety, trauma, alcohol and substance use, and relationship challenges.

I believe that healing begins in a space where you feel truly heard. My approach is rooted in warmth, patience, and a deep respect for your unique story. Whether you're carrying the weight of past experiences, struggling with how you cope day to day, or feeling disconnected in your relationships, you don't have to figure it out alone.

It is my joy in life to help my clients re-discover their true self. We do this together by challenging old paradigms that get us stuck. As we uncover the true self, I will also help you develop new skills for coping as you move from surviving to thriving. I am a Master's level Professional Counselor, comprehensively trained in DBT, IFS, and NARM.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Play Therapist in the State of Tennessee. I have over 17 years of experience in the mental health field. I have worked in community, residential, and juvenile justice settings. I am passionate about working with those struggling with mood and anxiety issues, trauma, and anyone trying to move toward a healthier life. I specialize in Trauma, OCD, and Play Therapy.

Many people walk through life saying, “I’m fine. Everything is fine.” But often, fine is just a placeholder — a way to avoid feelings that feel too big, too inconvenient, or too overwhelming. FINE stands for Feelings In Need of Expression.

My work centers on helping clients safely express the emotions they’ve been holding in. One of my strengths is actively listening and creating a grounded, compassionate space where those unspoken feelings can finally come forward. We’re taught to suppress our emotions and push through, but those feelings don’t disappear. They settle into the body, they leak out in our interactions, and eventually they build — like pressure inside a volcano — until they erupt.

In therapy, you don’t have to hold it all together. You don’t have to pretend you’re fine. You get room to breathe, to feel, and to release what’s been stuck for far too long. My goal is to help you understand your emotional landscape, express what needs to be expressed, and move toward a life that feels more honest, grounded, and connected.

I support individuals seeking healing, clarity, and empowerment as they navigate life’s most challenging moments. I work with young first‐time mothers, survivors of intimate partner abuse and sex trauma, first responders, veterans, caretakers, and professionals carrying heavy emotional loads. My approach is nurturing and strength‐based, blending therapeutic support with life‐coaching strategies that help you rebuild confidence, manage stress, and reclaim your sense of self. You deserve a safe, compassionate space to grow, and I’m here to help you move forward with purpose and resilience.

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 tend to work well with people whose lives or mental health do not fit neatly into one box. Many of the people I work with are dealing with anxiety, trauma, ADHD, emotional dysregulation, substance use, relationship stress, or family conflict, and they often understand the pattern but still feel stuck in it. If you feel overwhelmed, reactive, burned out, or frustrated that insight alone has not created change, I want therapy to be a place where you can slow down, feel understood, and start making sense of what is happening beneath the surface.

Great to meet you. Reaching out for support can feel overwhelming, especially when you're carrying emotional pain, relationship challenges, or life circumstances that have left you feeling stuck or disconnected. I work with adults and adolescents experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, relationship issues, family conflict, trauma, grief and loss, identity concerns, and major life transitions. I understand that every person's story is different, and I believe healing begins by creating a space where you feel heard, understood, and supported. Whether you're struggling with overwhelming emotions, navigating changes within your family, coping with loss, or trying to better understand yourself, therapy can provide an opportunity to gain insight, build healthier coping skills, and reconnect with what matters most to you. My goal is to help you move toward greater balance, emotional wellness, and a more fulfilling life.