Meet our Team
At Sharyland Counseling Services, our team is dedicated to walking alongside you with compassion, professionalism, and faith. Each of our clinicians brings unique experience and a shared commitment to helping individuals and families find healing, hope, and restoration.
Eduardo Gonzalez, M.Ed, LPC
Introduction
Eduardo Gonzalez is the founder of Sharyland Counseling Services and a Licensed Professional Counselor who is passionate about helping individuals find healing, hope, and restoration. He welcomes adolescents and adults from all backgrounds and walks alongside them as they share their stories and pursue meaningful growth.
Professional Background & Approach
With 24 years of experience as a counselor in Sharyland ISD, Eduardo has a deep understanding of the challenges individuals and families face. He provides a supportive and compassionate environment where clients feel heard, valued, and understood. His approach is centered on listening well, building trust, and helping clients develop practical tools to navigate life’s difficulties and move toward lasting change.
Personal Life & Interests
Eduardo has been married for 20 years and is a proud father of five and grandfather of three. He enjoys spending time outdoors with his family, playing tennis, cycling, and supporting his children and grandchildren in their activities.
Philosophy of Care / Faith Integration
Eduardo believes that every person is worthy of wholeness in both mind and spirit. He gently guides clients at their own pace, helping them explore their experiences and rediscover hope through faith, healing, and personal growth.
Vanessa Aleman, M.Ed, LPC
Introduction
Vanessa Aleman is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Rio Grande Valley native, wife, and mom who believes every person has the capacity for deep healing and lasting transformation. She is passionate about creating a space where clients feel truly seen, heard, and supported as they navigate their personal journey.
Professional Background & Approach
Vanessa’s path to counseling was shaped by nine years in education, where she served as a teacher, coach, and school counselor. Through this work, she discovered that one of the most powerful gifts you can offer someone is the opportunity to be fully seen and heard. She holds a Master’s degree in Counseling and Development and draws from a variety of approaches, including Person-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Logotherapy, and Gestalt Therapy. At the center of her work is each individual client—their story, their pace, and their healing.
Personal Life & Interests
Vanessa enjoys life with her husband and child, and treasures time spent together as a family. Whether taking long walks outdoors, exploring new places, or listening to faith-based podcasts, she values meaningful connection and shared experiences.
Philosophy of Care / Faith Integration
Faith is the foundation of Vanessa’s work and the lens through which she views healing. She believes true restoration reaches both the heart and the soul. Vanessa feels honored to walk alongside clients as they deepen their relationship with the Lord, rediscover their purpose, and step into a life of hope and freedom. Wherever someone finds themselves in their journey, she strives to provide a welcoming and supportive space to begin.
Miguel A De La Fuente, MS, LPC
Introduction
Miguel De La Fuente is a Licensed Professional Counselor who is passionate about helping individuals find healing, resilience, and renewed purpose. His background uniquely blends clinical expertise, military service, and life experience.
Professional Background & Approach
Miguel is a National Certified Counselor and U.S. Army Ranger veteran with experience working with trauma, PTSD, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and relationship challenges. His approach is eclectic and integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), trauma-informed care, and positive psychology to support the whole person.
Personal Life & Interests
Miguel is a proud father of six and values time with his family. He is also deeply committed to physical fitness and enjoys CrossFit and mountain biking as part of maintaining overall wellness.
Philosophy of Care / Faith Integration
Rooted in his Christian faith, Miguel believes in healing the mind, body, and spirit. He works alongside clients to build strength and purpose, encouraging growth and transformation through faith and perseverance.
Crystal D Martin, M.Ed, LPC-S
Introduction
Crystal D Martin is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor, wife, and proud mother of three who is passionate about helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with compassion and hope. She believes everyone has the capacity for growth, healing, and resilience and strives to create a safe, welcoming space where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered.
Professional Background & Approach
With 13 years of counseling experience, Crystal has worked with individuals, couples, and adolescents experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, and life transitions. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Her collaborative approach incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR, and Person-Centered Therapy, tailored to each client’s unique needs and goals.
Personal Life & Interests
Her family enjoys spending time together, especially supporting their children’s athletic pursuits. They are a big soccer family and can often be found cheering from the sidelines. They also enjoy relaxing at the beach and making memories together. Family, connection, and balance are values Crystal carries into her counseling practice.
Philosophy of Care / Faith Integration
Crystal believes every person has inherent worth and the ability to heal and grow. She views counseling as a collaborative process of identifying strengths, overcoming obstacles, and developing practical tools for wellbeing. She also offers faith-integrated counseling, incorporating Christian beliefs and values when desired by the client. Faith integration may include Scripture, prayer, grace, forgiveness, and a relationship with God as resources for healing and resilience, while remaining grounded in ethical and evidence-based counseling practice.
Cristina Peña, MS, LPC
Introduction
Cristina Peña is a Licensed Professional Counselor who is passionate about helping individuals find healing, clarity, and renewed hope. She supports adolescents and adults through emotional and life challenges.
Professional Background & Approach
Cristina has experience in higher levels of care, supporting clients through anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Her approach is rooted in Person-Centered Therapy and incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to build self-awareness and coping skills.
Personal Life & Interests
Cristina is a wife and mother of four who values family deeply. Her personal experiences shape her compassionate and understanding approach to counseling.
Philosophy of Care / Faith Integration
Cristina believes true healing is both emotional and spiritual. She creates a safe, supportive environment where clients can grow, find peace, and move from pain to purpose through faith.
Charles Vela, M.Ed, LPC
Introduction
Charles Vela is a Licensed Professional Counselor who is passionate about helping individuals heal from past wounds and move toward a more resilient and fulfilling life. He offers compassionate support to clients from a wide range of backgrounds.
Professional Background & Approach
Charles holds degrees in Philosophy and Psychology and has experience working with individuals, families, veterans, first responders, and law enforcement. He uses an eclectic, client-centered approach and is trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and trauma-informed care to help clients build emotional regulation and resilience.
Personal Life & Interests
Charles values authenticity and personal growth. His own journey has shaped his empathetic approach, allowing him to connect deeply with clients and meet them where they are.
Philosophy of Care / Faith Integration
Charles believes healing is always possible. He partners with clients to build insight and practical skills while supporting their personal and spiritual growth through a compassionate, faith-informed approach.
Jennie Klein
Introduction
Jennie Klein is the Office Administrator at Sharyland Counseling Services and is passionate about making counseling accessible to those who need support. As a wife of more than 30 years and a proud mother of two adult children and three bonus children, she understands the importance of healthy relationships and believes no one should feel ashamed or alone when seeking help.
Professional Role & Approach
As the first point of contact for the Counseling Center, Jennie helps clients navigate the process of beginning counseling with warmth, compassion, and efficiency. She enjoys streamlining office processes, coordinating schedules, and verifying insurance benefits while making sure each client feels heard and cared for. Her own experiences with counseling have deepened her desire to advocate for others and help remove barriers to receiving the support they need.
Personal Life & Interests
Jennie enjoys learning about neuroscience and brain health, upcycling furniture, nurturing succulents, knitting, and sewing. Her family jokes that if something stays still long enough, Jennie will probably paint it! She sees creativity and restoration in the things around her and loves finding new purpose in what others might overlook.
Philosophy of Care / Faith Integration
Jennie believes there is always potential for healing, restoration, and renewed purpose. Her passion for upcycling reflects a deeper truth she carries in her faith: just as we can restore and give new purpose to something that has been overlooked, Christ sees the potential and purpose in each of us. Jennie strives to make every client feel welcomed, valued, and encouraged as they take their next step toward hope, help, and healing.