Sharmen’s mission statement is to speak practical truth into dark places so people can apply it to their own hearts, story, and relational shenanigans. 

A core part of her approach is based upon the belief that we are created to be connected, and that attachment dysfunction is the basis of all soul-level trauma. 

Attachment dysfunction looks like shame, fear, neglect, abandonment, rejection and deception.  When we live in hiding, we cannot attach. Sharmen works primarily with adults who are struggling to come out of hiding, isolation, and self-protection, and helps them build a path toward authentic living which translates to authentic relationships and deeper connections. Whether the “hiding” looks like narcissism or codependency, she helps untangle the lies, the nonsense, and what trauma has done to your soul and ability to attach within relationships. She is gifted at working with men and women individually, as couples, and within group settings. 

Sharmen received her master’s degree in professional counseling in 2012 from Liberty University. Part of her training included peer counseling at a Pregnancy Care Center (two years), an internship at an inpatient drug and alcohol addiction treatment center (Walter B. Jones ADATC, one year),  and extensive volunteering with teens and mentoring groups (since 1995).  She opened her own coaching practice in 2012.  Alongside maintaining her own practice, Sharmen is also an integral part of the Marriage Recovery Center with Dr. David Hawkins, based in the Seattle, WA area.  

As a Relationship Consultant, she works with individuals and couples who are trying to untangle the mess and impact of emotional and spiritual dysfunction on their lives, to heal from the trauma and learn to live well, love well and lead well.  While she strongly discourages couples counseling where conflict is high and abuse is rampant, she has a  unique capacity to stand in the gap for the victim while addressing the underlying, covert power-and-control issues, should they insist on couples work.  She works hard to help the silenced and down-trodden find their voice and learn to speak it with dignity and strength.  She is a strong proponent of individual coaching first, as a chance to heal, find clarity and strengthen boundaries prior to trying to address the symptoms within the relationship. 

She also provides coaching for pastors, counselors, and other coaches who are seeking to hone their skills as innovative leaders within their respective environments.  She provides life coaching for young adults and college students who are struggling to find their sense of self and direction.  She focuses on learning to walk out the story you do want your life to tell and finding the courage to show up, come out of hiding, and live authentically. 

The backbone of her work has been built upon experience more so than book learning. She has experienced a lifetime of learning how to navigate dysfunctional, destructive behavior and emotional abuse, as well as divorce and single-parenting. The adversity of her own life has uniquely prepared her to speak wisdom into the lives of those around her.  If you would like, you can read more of her testimony here.

Sharmen emphasizes navigating life and relationships from a Christ-centered perspective. She brings a strong sense of optimism to the table and can often reframe issues in a way that brings insight and motivation to change.  She loves speaking hope into complicated situations and watching people grab hold of that hope to work toward a breakthrough in the mess they’re facing.