Meet our Team

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

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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.

Myra Gonzalez, MA, LPC

Imparto sesiones de consejería en español.

Introduction

Myra Gonzalez is a Licensed Professional Counselor dedicated to serving adolescents and adults navigating trauma, anxiety, grief, relationship challenges, and difficult life transitions. She considers it a privilege to walk alongside clients as they pursue healing, build resilience, and rediscover hope.

Professional Background & Approach

Myra provides compassionate, trauma-informed care centered on safety, trust, collaboration, and empowerment. She integrates EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), attachment-focused approaches, and emotional regulation strategies to help clients understand how past experiences can influence their emotions, beliefs, behaviors, and relationships. Her goal is to help clients develop greater self-awareness, healthier coping skills, and meaningful progress toward healing.

Personal Life & Interests

Outside of counseling, Myra enjoys spending time with her family, growing in her faith, and staying active through fitness and wellness. She values a life grounded in faith, meaningful relationships, and caring for the mind, body, and spirit.

Philosophy of Care / Faith Integration

Myra believes God’s love can bring hope, restoration, and purpose even through life’s most difficult seasons. For clients who desire faith integration, she thoughtfully incorporates Christian principles and biblical truth alongside trauma-informed, evidence-based care. She honors the work of the Holy Spirit in bringing comfort, wisdom, healing, and renewal as clients deepen their faith and move toward greater wholeness.

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

Imparto sesiones de consejería en español.

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

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Introduction

Jennie Klein is our Office Administrator and is passionate about making counseling accessible. She strives to ensure every client feels welcomed, supported, and cared for from their first contact with the practice.

Professional Background & Approach

Jennie helps keep the practice running smoothly by coordinating scheduling, verifying insurance benefits, assisting clients, and streamlining office processes. She is detail-oriented, compassionate, and committed to providing a positive experience for every client.

Personal Life & Interests

Jennie is a proud mother of two adult children and three bonus children. Outside of work, she enjoys learning about neuroscience and brain health, upcycling furniture, caring for succulents, knitting, and sewing.

Philosophy of Care / Faith Integration

Jennie believes everyone deserves compassionate, nonjudgmental support when seeking counseling. She values the opportunity to help remove barriers to care and sees restoration and renewal as important parts of both counseling and the Christian faith.