Sparrow Counseling

Sparrow Counseling Helping couples and families heal, reconnect, and grow. Compassionate, clear, and experienced care.

Sparrow Counseling offers expert therapy in Birmingham, AL, and online across Alabama, specializing in marriage, co-parenting, families, and intensives. Sparrow Counseling is a place where individuals, couples and families can come to be strengthened, empowered and find hope again.

🍻 It's Happening Today! 🍻Our Counselors Happy Hour is tonight from 5:00–7:00 PM at TrimTab Brewing Company in Birmingham...
06/18/2026

🍻 It's Happening Today! 🍻

Our Counselors Happy Hour is tonight from 5:00–7:00 PM at TrimTab Brewing Company in Birmingham!

Yes, rain and thunderstorms are in the forecast—but we're gathering rain or shine and looking forward to an evening of connection, community, and conversation with fellow counselors, therapists, and helping professionals.

As mental health professionals, we spend so much time supporting others. Tonight is an opportunity to connect with one another.

Whether you're coming to meet new colleagues, strengthen professional relationships, or simply enjoy some time with people who understand the work you do, we'd love to see you there.

đź“Ť TrimTab Brewing Company
đź“… Today
⏰ 5:00–7:00 PM

Here's to building a stronger counseling community—one conversation at a time. 🤍

Parenting a teenager can feel like you're living with a stranger.One minute they need you. The next every conversation f...
06/18/2026

Parenting a teenager can feel like you're living with a stranger.

One minute they need you. The next every conversation feels like an argument, a shutdown, or a mystery you can't quite solve.

If you've been wondering:
• Is this normal?
• Why won't my teen talk to me?
• How do I set limits without constant conflict?
• How do I know when they need more help?

You're not alone.

This July, Sha Wortman, LPC will be leading our Parenting Teens Summer Series — a 4-part workshop designed to help parents better understand their teens, strengthen connection, and feel more confident during this challenging season of parenting.

Topics include:
🧠 Understanding the Teen Brain
đź’¬ Communication That Builds Trust
⚖️ Holding Limits Without Losing the Relationship
❤️ Recognizing & Responding to Emotional Struggles

đź“Ť Homewood Library
📅 Tuesdays, July 7–28
🕡 6:30–8:00 PM

đź’› $140 for the full series
đź’› $40 per individual session

Seats are limited.

Learn more and register:
https://www.sparrowcounsel.com/parenting-classes

Most relationship problems aren't meant to be solved. They're meant to be understood.One of the most liberating findings...
06/15/2026

Most relationship problems aren't meant to be solved. They're meant to be understood.

One of the most liberating findings from Dr. John Gottman's decades of relationship research is this:

Approximately 69% of relationship conflicts are perpetual.

That means most recurring disagreements don't happen because you're incompatible or because your relationship is failing. They happen because two different people bring different personalities, values, preferences, and needs into the relationship.

One partner may value spontaneity while the other values security.

One may prefer spending while the other prioritizes saving.

One may need more time together while the other needs more independence.

These differences often don't disappear—and that's okay.

The couples who thrive aren't necessarily the couples who solve every problem. They're the couples who learn how to talk about their differences with understanding, respect, and curiosity.

Great relationships aren't built on agreement.

They're built on understanding.

đź’¬ What's one relationship difference you've learned to navigate rather than "solve"?

Parenting a teenager can feel like you're living with a stranger.One minute they need you. The next every conversation f...
06/13/2026

Parenting a teenager can feel like you're living with a stranger.

One minute they need you. The next every conversation feels like an argument, a shutdown, or a mystery you can't quite solve.

If you've been wondering:
• Is this normal?
• Why won't my teen talk to me?
• How do I set limits without constant conflict?
• How do I know when they need more help?

You're not alone.

This July, Sha Wortman, LPC, will be leading our Parenting Teens Summer Series — a 4-part workshop designed to help parents better understand their teens, strengthen connection, and feel more confident during this challenging season of parenting.

Topics include:
🧠 Understanding the Teen Brain
đź’¬ Communication That Builds Trust
⚖️ Holding Limits Without Losing the Relationship
❤️ Recognizing & Responding to Emotional Struggles

đź“Ť Homewood Library
📅 Tuesdays, July 7–28
🕡 6:30–8:00 PM

đź’› $140 for the full series
đź’› $40 per individual session

Seats are limited.

Learn more and register:
👉 https://www.sparrowcounsel.com/parenting-classes

We're excited to share that Sha Wortman, LPC, has completed EMDR training and is now offering EMDR-informed therapy at S...
06/11/2026

We're excited to share that Sha Wortman, LPC, has completed EMDR training and is now offering EMDR-informed therapy at Sparrow Counseling.

Sha has completed:
• 40 hours of intensive EMDR training through an EMDRIA-approved program
• 10 additional hours of consultation training

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy approach that helps individuals process difficult experiences and reduce the emotional impact of distressing memories.

EMDR may be helpful for:
âś” Anxiety and excessive worry
âś” Trauma and difficult life experiences
âś” Stress and burnout
âś” Overwhelming emotions
âś” Negative self-beliefs and low self-esteem
âś” Life transitions and emotional healing

For more than 20 years, Sha has helped preteens, teens, adults, and families navigate life's challenges with compassion, wisdom, and practical support. We are excited to expand the services she is able to offer through this additional training.

If you've been considering counseling or are interested in learning whether EMDR may be a good fit for your goals, we'd love to help.

đź“ž Contact Sparrow Counseling to schedule an appointment with Sha.

Did you know researchers can predict relationship failure with over 90% accuracy?According to Dr. John Gottman's decades...
06/09/2026

Did you know researchers can predict relationship failure with over 90% accuracy?

According to Dr. John Gottman's decades of relationship research, four communication patterns consistently show up in struggling relationships:

• Criticism
• Contempt
• Defensiveness
• Stonewalling

He referred to these patterns as "The Four Horsemen."

While these behaviors can be damaging when they become habitual, the encouraging news is that each one has an antidote. Couples can learn healthier ways to communicate, repair conflict, and strengthen connection.

Most healthy relationships experience these patterns occasionally. The key is recognizing them early and learning how to respond differently.

Take a look through the carousel and see which horseman you recognize most in your own relationship.

What stood out to you most?

06/05/2026

One of the questions parents ask most often—but are sometimes afraid to say out loud—is:

"Is my teen okay?"

Not every mood change, withdrawal, or difficult season means something is wrong. But knowing the difference between typical teen stress and signs of a deeper struggle can feel overwhelming.

In this video, Sha Wortman, LPC, shares why this uncertainty is one of the hardest parts of parenting a teenager—and why parents don't have to navigate it alone.

During the final session of our Parenting Teens Summer Series, we'll discuss:
• The difference between normal teen stress and emotional concerns
• What warning signs to watch for
• How to respond in ways that build trust and connection
• When it may be time to seek additional support

Sha has spent more than 20 years working with teens and families and will provide practical tools, clear guidance, and an opportunity to ask questions in a supportive environment.

đź“Ť Session 4: July 28
đź“Ť Homewood Library
🕡 6:30–8:00 PM

Learn more and register:
👉 https://www.sparrowcounsel.com/parenting-classes

At Sparrow Counseling, we know how important community is within the counseling profession.As therapists and helping pro...
06/03/2026

At Sparrow Counseling, we know how important community is within the counseling profession.

As therapists and helping professionals, we spend so much time supporting others through difficult, emotional, and complex seasons of life. Having opportunities to connect with colleagues who understand the work matters too.

We’re excited to host a Counselors Happy Hour on Thursday, June 18th, from 5–7 pm at TrimTab Brewing Company in Birmingham!

This will be a relaxed evening for counselors, therapists, and other helping professionals to connect, build relationships, and simply enjoy time together outside the office.

Whether you’re in private practice, schools, churches, agency work, or another helping profession, we’d love for you to join us.

No presentations or formal agenda — just meaningful connection and good conversation.

We hope to see you there!

đź“Ť TrimTab Brewing Company
đź“… Thursday, June 18th
⏰ 5:00–7:00 PM

Most people think the biggest threat to a relationship is constant conflict.But according to decades of research by Dr. ...
06/01/2026

Most people think the biggest threat to a relationship is constant conflict.

But according to decades of research by Dr. John Gottman, the strongest predictor of divorce isn’t frequent arguing, incompatibility, or even infidelity.

It’s contempt.

Contempt is what happens when frustration slowly turns into superiority.

It can sound like sarcasm.
Eye-rolls.
Mocking tones.
Talking down to your partner.
The sigh that says, “You’ll never change.”

Over time, contempt changes the way couples see each other. Instead of viewing your partner as someone you love and care about, your brain begins filtering even neutral moments through criticism and disappointment.

And the research is sobering: contempt doesn’t just damage emotional connection — it can even impact physical health and stress levels over time.

The good news? Relationships can heal.

One of the strongest antidotes to contempt is intentionally rebuilding fondness and admiration:
• noticing what you appreciate
• expressing respect
• remembering what you genuinely like about your partner

Sometimes the smallest moments of warmth and kindness matter more than people realize.

What’s one thing you genuinely admire about your partner? Say it out loud today. 💛

May felt full in the best kind of ways. đź’™This month at Sparrow Counseling, we celebrated growth, continued learning, mea...
05/30/2026

May felt full in the best kind of ways. đź’™

This month at Sparrow Counseling, we celebrated growth, continued learning, meaningful conversations, and the privilege of walking alongside individuals, couples, teens, and families through both hard and hopeful seasons.

From strengthening relationships…
To helping parents better understand their teens…
To supporting clients through transitions, grief, conflict, anxiety, healing, and connection…

We’re continually reminded how brave it is to show up and do the work.

We’re also deeply grateful for the ways our community continues to support Sparrow Counseling — through referrals, sharing our posts, attending events, and trusting us with your stories.

As we head into summer, we hope you find moments for rest, connection, laughter, and slowing down a bit. And if this season feels heavy or complicated, you don’t have to navigate it alone.

Thank you for being part of the Sparrow Counseling community. We’re honored to walk alongside you. 🕊️

Address

1736 Oxmoor Road, Ste 208
Homewood, AL
35209

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 8pm
Tuesday 9am - 8pm
Wednesday 9am - 8pm
Thursday 9am - 8pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+1 205-538-3978

Website

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