Meet Sharmen

Sharmen Kimbrough, MA

Sharmen has a knack for deep-diving into the nitty gritty and rooting out the dysfunctional coping mechanisms people use to get through life, which end up as self-sabotage when it comes to relationships. She emphasizes navigating life from a Christ-centered perspective, and brings a strong sense of optimism to the table; God is doing something here and you aren’t powerful enough to screw him up. She can often reframe issues in a way that brings insight and motivation to change, and with that, new found strength in your steps.

She loves speaking hope into complicated situations and watching people grab hold of that hope to find the sense of life, freedom and joy they’ve been craving.

specialties

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services offered

mission statement

To speak practical truth into dark places so people can apply it to their own hearts, story, and relational shenanigans.

approach

At the heart of my work lies a profound conviction: we are designed for connection. I believe that the fractures in our ability to attach—rooted in what I call attachment dysfunction—form the bedrock of soul-level trauma. To truly connect, we must embrace authenticity. And to be authentic, we must summon the courage to step out from the shadows of hiding.

Attachment dysfunction manifests in many forms: shame that silences, fear that paralyzes, neglect that starves, abandonment that wounds, rejection that isolates, and deception that distorts. When we retreat into hiding, we sever our capacity for genuine attachment. My calling is to walk alongside adults who find themselves trapped in these patterns—whether through isolation, self-protection, or the tangled webs of narcissism and codependency. Together, we chart a course toward authentic living, where relationships deepen and connections flourish. I work to unravel the lies, dispel the chaos, and heal the scars trauma leaves on the soul, restoring the ability to attach meaningfully within relationships.

Consider this: we enter this world as fragile, self-focused beings—little bundles of codependency and narcissism, shaped by the relational landscapes of our childhoods. Depending on those early experiences, we lean toward one end of that spectrum or the other, crafting self-protective coping mechanisms to survive. Yet, as adults, these once-vital strategies become maladaptive, obstructing the freedom and aliveness we yearn for. My approach is practical and constructive, peeling back the layers of these ingrained habits to reveal their impact on interpersonal connection. At its core, this journey is a soul-level inquiry: to whom does your heart turn for purpose, meaning, security, and life—yourself, or something greater? The fruit of this recovery is a life lived boldly out of hiding—authentic, free, and rich with mutual, vibrant relationships.

I bring this perspective to my work with men and women, whether individually, as couples, or in group settings, fostering spaces where transformation can take root and thrive.

education & experience

I hold a Master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University, earned in 2012, a milestone that formalized my commitment to this work. My training spans diverse and formative experiences: two years of peer counseling at a Pregnancy Care Center, a year-long internship at Walter B. Jones Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Center, and nearly three decades of volunteering with teens and mentoring groups, beginning in 1995. That same year I completed my graduate studies, I founded my own coaching practice, a space where I’ve since guided countless individuals toward healing and wholeness. Beyond my private practice, I serve as a key contributor at the Marriage Recovery Center alongside Dr. David Hawkins in the Seattle, WA area, where I help couples navigate the complexities of relational restoration.

Yet, while my credentials provide a framework, it is the crucible of personal experience that truly shapes my voice. I’ve walked through the fires of dysfunctional and destructive behavior, emotional abuse, divorce, and the challenges of single parenting. These trials have not broken me—they have forged me. They’ve taught me resilience, sharpened my insight, and gifted me a rare ability to speak wisdom into the lives of others with empathy and clarity. My own story is not just a backdrop; it’s a wellspring of understanding that informs every conversation, every session. If you’d like to explore more of my journey, you’re welcome to read more of my testimony here.