New Paragraph

Let Me Help You Find Your Smile Today, So You Can

Share a Smile with Others

Professional Counseling for teens, adults, and couples

Schedule An Appointment Visit the Client Portal

Let Me Help You Find Your Smile Today, So You Can Share a Smile with Others

Professional Counseling for teens, adults, and couples

Schedule an appointment Visit the Client Portal

Let Me Help You Find Your Smile Today, So You Can Share a Smile with Others

Professional Counseling for teens, adults, and couples

Schedule an appointment Visit the Client Portal Send Me a Message

Meet Shara, A Compassionate, Licensed Counselor in Tennessee and Virginia

Shara Carter of Shara Smile has worked as a counselor for the past ten years. She started her practice in Reston, VA, then moved to TN, where she opened up a practice in Franklin, TN. She sees clients in-person in the Franklin, TN office. For VA clients, she schedules clients via tele-health, and will only schedule in-person sessions when it coordinates with a work trip, speaking engagement, workshop, or other opportunities in VA.

She earned her Masters of Arts in Education in Counseling from Virginia Tech and her undergraduate degree in Special Education from Middle Tennessee State University.

Hear More About Shara Smile

Helping Clients Develop Their Mental and

Relational Well-Being

Shara’s credentials include Certified LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) and MHSP (Mental Health Service Provider) in the states of VA and TN. Shara meets all requirements for both states and is insured in both states. Shara strives to help each and every person develop their mental and relational well-being by helping them find and grow their own peace through self-love and self-discovery; ultimately leading to a connected and content life.

Shara is enthusiastic about helping others find their way through the ever-changing, creative, healing, counseling process and she considers it an honor to be considered and invited into your journey. She is aware of how personal and difficult this process can be. Shara is an artist and a “creative spirit” at heart. She enjoys using expressive, creative therapy and has been in the techniques when working with her clients and groups. She feels strongly about self-care and self-discovery and continues to look within to learn, create, stretch, and grow.

Types of Counseling Offered

Individual Counseling

Couples

Family

As Shara works with a teen, she works with the whole family as needed.

Specialties and Issues

Anxiety
Depression
Women’s Issues
ADHD
Anger Management
Coping Skills
Eating Disorders
Body Image
Family Conflict
Grief/Loss
Life Transition
Relationship Issues
Self-esteem
Stress

Anxiety
Depression
Women’s Issues
ADHD
Addiction Recovery
Alcohol Abuse/Recovery
Anger Management
Coping Skills
Eating Disorders
Body Image
Family Conflict
Grief/Loss
Life Transition
Relationship Issues
Self-esteem
Stress

For Shara, Mental Health is a Priority

Shara provides counseling for teens, adults, couples, families, and groups. For Shara, mental health is a priority for individuals of all ages and all genders. Her clients include anyone in need of mental health services and who are dealing with such issues as depression, anxiety, grief and loss, learning challenges, life transitions, family mental health, adolescent issues, peer group issues, school issues and problems, addiction recovery, body image issues, and eating disorders. Shara also offers couples counseling, life coaching, career counseling, and other areas.

Virtual Psychiatry Services for

Shara Smile Patients

Cerebral has partnered with Shara Smile to provide you with access to high-quality, affordable and accessible psychiatry services.

Cerebral psychiatry services are now available to you at a discounted price

Affordable with or without insurance

Visit commercial.cerebral.com/sharasmile for more information to get started!

Recommendations and Referrals

★★★★★

Shara is a wise, compassionate, gifted counselor. She has helped me with my marriage and the challenges that come with child rearing. She listens well and provides great ideas/perspectives in a way that is easy to hear. She is a strong encourager and has a way of opening the door to let hope back in. Thank you, Shara!

Katie M.
★★★★★

Can’t say enough great things about Shara. She’s kind, compassionate, and a great listener. She’s challenged me to grow in many ways!

Erin M.
★★★★★

Looking for a kind, caring and nonjudgemental therapist. Look no further! Shara is an experienced therapist.

Allison M.
★★★★★

I think everyone would benefit from understanding how their unique life circumstances have shaped their personal belief tendencies and expectations, and Shara guided me through that process without judgement. Shara listens and responds with empathy, grace, and truth. I can't say enough about how valuable our sessions were and I have recommended her to many people already.

Client
★★★★★

Folks, if you're looking for a great Therapist in town who understands issues related to relationships, unhealthy addictions, and women's issues, see my friend Shara Carter.

Kenny M.
★★★★★

“…for over 10 years, Ms. Carter has demonstrated a working knowledge and flexibility in dealing with a wide variety of clinical problems and populations. She looks at her clients holistically, aware of their uniqueness as individuals, accounts for age, culture, and gender."

Catherine L.
★★★★★

“I have had the privilege of being a witness to Shara’s care and concern for her clients and especially for teens that she led in workshops. Shara is an example of someone who loves to care for others, bringing light and love to her colleagues and clients. She has always been devoted to improving the mental wellness of others!”

Shirley C.
★★★★★

“Shara is professional, thoughtful, insightful, and introspective in her provision of care. Shara is a competent, hard working and loyal individual who exercises sound judgment…. She is extremely skilled in her ability to relate to clients and always works diligently to ensure the needs of her clients are met.”

Mike G.
★★★★★

"Shara: I just wanted to say thank you. Our son received word this week that he was accepted to both colleges he applied to. He is very excited.....Thank you so much for all the reminders and guiding us through the (college application) process! We know our son is not the most organized student but we felt your help and guidance has been tremendous. Thank you so much again!"

High School Student Parents
★★★★★

"When I heard you talk to my anxious daughter a year ago, I said to myself that I wished you had been my counselor in high school. She is now college bound. A caring, competent, and practical person like you helps lessen the trust deficit that the school leadership and school board create. You solved my kid's self created emergency at 9PM on a Friday night. You made things better and I'll never forget that."

Parent of High School Student
Recommendations & Referrals

“I had the pleasure of supervising Ms. Carter during her tenure as a High School Counselor at Chantilly High School in VA. She is an outstanding social/emotional counselor who builds great relationships with students/clients that are based on trust. Ms. Carter creates a safe environment where clients feel honored, heard, seen, and understood. She cares deeply about her clients and is a thoughtful, caring, and highly intelligent counselor.“

- Robyn A. Lady, Director of Student Services Chantilly High School, Chantilly, VA

Button
Recommendations & Referrals

“Shara Carter is the real deal. I have known her for over 20 years. We worked together in youth ministry, and I saw first hand her dedication and ability to mentor youth. Now I’ve watched her dedicate her life gathering education and life experience to help all people. Shara has the talent and skill to help you unravel what life throws at you so you can truly live.”

- Debbie LoCurto, President, Uncorked Encounters, Franklin, TN

Button
Recommendations & Referrals

“Shara and I met in college and I was immediately impressed by her passion for whatever she chose to do. She will certainly extend that passion and purpose to the families she serves through counseling.”

- Susan Easterday, CAP Partners, Chief Operations and Marketing Officer, Nashville, TN

Button
Recommendations & Referrals

“Shara is professional, thoughtful, insightful, and introspective in her provision of care. Shara is a competent, hard working and loyal individual who exercises sound judgment…. She is extremely skilled in her ability to relate to clients and always works diligently to ensure the needs of her clients are met.”

- Mike Goodman, Vice President of Operations, The Women’s Center, Vienna, VA

Button
Recommendations & Referrals

“Shara Carter …. is that rare person who has grown and matured while maintaining her natural self and steadfastness in character. Partnered with her refined skill set as a counselor, I have all the confidence that anyone who sits with her will greatly benefit from the consistency that Shara provides.”

- Michelle Castro, Realtor, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Woodmont Realty, Nashville, TN

Button
Recommendations & Referrals

“I have had the privilege of being a witness to Shara’s care and concern for her clients and especially for teens that she led in workshops. Shara is an example of someone who loves to care for others, bringing light and love to her colleagues and clients. She has always been devoted to improving the mental wellness of others!”

- Shirley Clark, Former CEO The Women’s Center, Vienna, VA

Button
Recommendations & Referrals

“I’ve known Shara for more than 25 years. Shara and I have served, traveled and sung together. She is a trusted friend that will go above and beyond for others!”

- Melanie Richardson, Ed.S. Granbery, E.S. Brentwood, TN

Button
Recommendations & Referrals

“In Ms. Carter’s position, she went “above and beyond” what was expected… She developed and presented educational workshops for audiences of parents, teens, and externs. She developed and led camps for adolescent boys and girls… Ms. Carter’s very apparent energy is matched by her clinical skills. She is clearly highly intelligent, thoughtful, and caring, having all the best qualities of a therapist.”

- Janet Kimberling, Ph.D., Former Clinical Director, The Women’s Center, Vienna, VA

Button
Recommendations & Referrals

“…for over 10 years, Ms. Carter has demonstrated a working knowledge and flexibility in dealing with a wide variety of clinical problems and populations. She looks at her clients holistically, aware of their uniqueness as individuals, accounts for age, culture, and gender. Ms. Carter is creative in her approach. She is insightful, devoted, and sensitive…. Ms. Carter conveys a sense of calm as she works with her clients and with other professionals…I strongly recommend her.”

- Catherine A. Love, LPC/LMFT, The Women’s Center, Vienna, VA

Button
Recommendations & Referrals

“I have worked side by side with Shara in many ministries and roles. Her dedication to leaders, young people, and families goes beyond words. I have seen her pour into the lives of those she has worked with teaching them academic, social and life skills.. Shara gives 100% to all she does and I am certain her professionalism in counseling will benefit anyone she works with.”

- Stephen Tedeschi, President, The Arts Place, Nashville, TN

Button