West Valley Counseling Center

Sharon Burnett

Sharon Burnett is a teacher, mentor and psychotherapist with over thirty-five years experience. She began her career as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist at California State University, Chico, where she received her Masters in Counseling Psychology. She continued her education at the University of Oregon, Department of Education Doctoral Program in Developmental Psychology, and completed her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Southern California University, Irvine. Leading with her passion for diving deep into the understanding of the human condition, and the resilience of the human spirit, Sharon had the privilege of training under Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, a pioneer in near-death studies and the process of grief and loss. Inspired by her teacher’s model of grief, loss and trauma recovery, Sharon continues to lead a bi-annual workshop, Life In Transition, where she facilitates participants in building greater resilience and allows for deeper connection with themselves and others.
In 2010, Sharon founded the non-profit community mental health center, West Valley Counseling Center located in Tarzana, California. She has developed a successful model for educating and training beginning trainees and associate licensed therapists prior to entering private practice. Her model is grounded in a trauma informed philosophy and helps to promote long-term trauma recovery. In addition to this, Sharon's private practice has been bringing this trauma recovery model to her work with individuals and families residing in the Greater Los Angeles area for many years.

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.

Atiya Malik

Atiya Malik is the Associate Director at West Valley Counseling Center. She earned her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology, with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Phillip’s Graduate University, and has been a part of the center since 2013. Atiya currently has her private practice at West Valley Counseling Center, where she focuses on individuals and couples.

Arianna Helfant

Arianna earned a masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of Southern California. As a type I Diabetic since the age of six, Arianna’s specific interests are in working with individuals and families struggling with chronic illnesses. Arianna also has experience working with domestic violence, gang intervention, high-risk children, and individuals with disabilities. Arianna has experience conducting individual, group, and family therapy.

Natalie Samuels

Natalie Samuels received a B.A. in Communications from the University of San Francisco. Natalie earned her M.A. in Counseling with a specialization in Children & Adolescents from Northwestern University. Throughout her undergraduate and graduate degree studies, she worked with several families and children as a caretaker in the San Francisco and Los Angeles areas. This experience influenced her specialization within the counseling profession, as she was exposed to a wide range of family issues. Natalie uses an approach that is facilitated by empathetic understanding, tailoring the treatment approach and orientation to each client’s unique and individual needs. She enjoys utilizing contemporary and creative approaches to promote positive self-development, create a sense of safety within the therapeutic space, process emotions to facilitate personal growth, and foster adaptive coping techniques. Through this approach, she hopes to promote long-term change and recovery for the clients. Natalie works with children, families, individuals, and couples.