West Valley Counseling Center

Sharon Burnett

Dr. Sharon Burnett is a psychotherapist, educator, and mentor who collaborates with clients, community organizations, and pre-licensed and student therapists to develop deeper insight, create greater resilience and enjoy a deeper connection with themselves and others.
She received her master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at California State University, Chico, and her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Southern California University, Irvine.
As the Founder and Executive Director of West Valley Counseling Center since 2006, Sharon remains dedicated to providing affirming, accessible and affordable mental health care using a trauma-informed philosophy, a model that she’s cultivated over the course of her distinguished career.
She expanded her education with her work with Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, a pioneer in trauma, hospice work, grief, and loss, to develop comprehensive trauma-sensitive and experiential training programs designed to build adaptive skills both professionally and personally.
By developing an expanded mentor program for student therapists and associate licensed therapists that incorporates trauma-informed philosophy, Sharon cultivates deeper understanding, practical clinical skills, and vision to establish and expand upon the knowledge and experience of therapists-in-training.
Sharon maintains a private practice working with individuals and families incorporating her trauma-informed recovery model. She also resides on the Board of Directors for LA Region Community Recovery Organization (LACRO). In her free time, Sharon enjoys spending time with her family and grandchildren and outdoors hiking trails with her two dogs.
Connect with Sharon at Sharon@WestValleyCounseling.org

Stephen Friedman

Steve is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, who provides psychotherapy for individuals, couples, families, and groups within a private practice setting in Encino, California. As a graduate of Antioch University in Marina Del Rey and The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Westwood, Steve has provided psychodynamic therapy for a diverse spectrum of clients, for the last 27 years. In addition to his expertise with adolescents, parent/relational issues and problems, anxiety and mood disorders, crisis intervention, and issues related to bereavement and loss, Steve has a particular interest in working with individuals who were raised to believe that they weren’t special and have difficulties establishing equality within their relationships. Steve maintains a private practice in the San Fernando Valley while also serving as clinical supervisor for trainees and interns at West Valley Counseling Center.

Dina Olivas

Dina Olivas, LCSW is a clinical supervisor at the Ventura County Counseling & Wellness Center and received her Master’s in Social Worker from California State Long Beach. As a bi-cultural mental health professional, she began her career 36 years ago in Los Angeles providing services to diverse children, youth, couples and families experiencing complex trauma. Her work settings range from public and private hospitals to schools, universities and clinics.  Ms. Olivas is a trained Early Childhood Mental Health Interventionist and community crisis specialist trained in Psychological First Aid, Critical Incident Debriefing, and Crisis Response Management for first responders.

With years of leading, supervising, and training of clinicians, she is grounded in promoting the neurobiology of healing through relationships while looking through the lens of culture and identity. Ensuring community access to quality counseling services has been paramount in her last 20 years of service in Ventura County. Ms. Olivas’s guiding belief in her teaching and clinical perspective is that healing occurs through a genuine respectful therapeutic relationship that honors one’s intrinsic strength as a whole person.

April Blackwell

April received a B.S in Sociology with a minor in Child Development from Florida State University. She is currently earning her M.A in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy and Professional Clinical Counseling at Pepperdine University's Graduate School of Education and Psychology. April has worked in the hospitality industry for over 20 years and 7 of those years in hotel management. She also worked as an executive in the music industry in Atlanta, GA, as well as an ABA therapist here in California. Through her past employer experiences, she has come to understand the importance of good work ethic, having a work balance, and most important of all, taking time out for yourself to have self-care.

April has experience working with adults, children, adolescents, LGBTQ+, and elderly adults with special needs. She has also worked with children and adolescents specifically on the Autism Spectrum. She is very passionate about helping individuals of trauma, sexual abuse, depression, ADHD, and anxiety. The therapy she offers centers on fostering increased insight, resulting in improved emotional satisfaction, self-confidence, and relationships. April uses a multi-disciplinary approach that is based on the needs of each client, with the ultimate goal being to facilitate integration between the past and the present self. Understanding the generational relationships, where conflict exists, the diseases and abuse that exist can provide incredible insight into personal trauma and aid in the therapeutic healing process.

Juliana Damiano

Juliana is currently pursuing her master's degree in couple and family therapy and holds a bachelor's degree in communication from CSUN. As a compassionate and dedicated therapist, she understands the profound impact of words and embraces the power of effective communication. Juliana finds solace and inspiration in nature, immersing herself in hiking, camping, and nurturing her garden. Her deep appreciation for the interconnectedness of all
living things informs her therapeutic approach, recognizing that every aspect of life is intricately woven together. As an MFT Trainee, Juliana challenges social norms and approaches therapy through a trauma-informed and systemic lens. She creates a safe, open-minded space where clients can explore their experiences and embark on transformative journeys. Juliana works with couples, families, individuals and children. She has experience with life transitions, women's issues, and pregnancy/postpartum concerns. Juliana strives to guide individuals towards self-love, healthy boundaries, positive self-talk and inner strength to promote healing, growth, and self-discovery.