Planting Seeds of Hope

Growing in Strength,

Rooted in Healing

Planting Seeds of Hope

Growing in Strength,

Rooted in Healing

At Three Trees Counseling, we believe every person deserves a safe and supportive place to grow. Formerly known as Shara Smile, we are entering a new season with a broader, more holistic vision for counseling. Our mission is to walk alongside individuals, couples, and families—men, women, teens, and children—helping them navigate life’s many stages with clarity, healing, and purpose. Whether you are facing personal challenges, relationship struggles, family transitions, or ministry concerns, our team is committed to planting seeds of hope that grow into strong, healthy, and lasting change. Just as trees stand firm through seasons of wind and storm, we want to equip you to remain steady and rooted no matter what life brings. While our name has changed, our heart remains the same: professional, compassionate care you can trust.

This is a new chapter, and we’d love to walk it with you. Book a consultation today to discover the benefits of working with caring professionals dedicated to helping you grow.  At Three Trees Counseling, we serve clients in our Franklin, TN, office in person and via telehealth throughout the state of Tennessee.

Strong Roots. Steady Growth. Lasting Change.

At Three Trees Counseling, we offer caring support for individuals, couples, and families. Each service is designed to help you find clarity, healing, and strength in the areas that matter most.

We Can Help

Life brings many challenges, and no one should have to face them alone. At Three Trees Counseling, we provide professional support across a wide range of personal, relational, and family concerns so you can find the help you need when you need it most.

Meet Our Counselors

When to Look for Expert Counseling

You don’t have to wait until life feels overwhelming. Counseling can be helpful in many seasons, including when you are:

  • Struggling With Anxiety, Depression, or Stress.
  • Facing Conflict or Distance in Your Marriage.
  • Helping a Teen Navigate the Challenges of Adolescence.
  • Supporting a Child With Big Emotions or School Transitions.
  • Walking Through Grief, Loss, or Major Life Changes.
  • Feeling Stuck in Unhealthy Patterns or Habits.
  • Wrestling With Questions of Faith, Identity, or Purpose.
  • Experiencing Burnout in Family, Work, or Ministry Life.

Why Choose Three Trees Counseling

Expertise

Our licensed and certified counselors bring years of education and hands-on experience.

Compassionate Care

We meet you where you are, free of judgment, with genuine respect for your story.

Safe Space

You’ll find an environment of trust where honesty and healing can take root.

Family-Focused

From children to adults, we walk with your whole family through life’s seasons.

Recommendations and Referrals

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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

Allison M.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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“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.


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“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.

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"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

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"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

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“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

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“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

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“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

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“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

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“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

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“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

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“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

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“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

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“…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

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“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

We would love to hear from you!