IN-PERSON ONLY
Workshop Description:
Whole-person healing recognizes that emotional, psychological, relational, and spiritual well-being are often deeply interconnected. This workshop explores how counselors can thoughtfully and ethically integrate Christian faith with evidence-based clinical practice while honoring client autonomy, informed consent, cultural humility, and professional boundaries.
Participants will examine practical approaches to incorporating spirituality into counseling without imposing personal values, while also exploring evidence-based interventions such as CBT, DBT, Solution-Focused Therapy, trauma-informed care, attachment-based approaches, play therapy, and EMDR. Through clinical examples and practical application, attendees will learn strategies for addressing the whole person—mind, body, relationships, emotions, and spirituality—while maintaining sound ethical practice.
The workshop is designed to give clinicians both a strong ethical framework and practical tools they can immediately incorporate into treatment planning and clinical decision-making with children, adolescents, and adults.
We encourage guests to dinner by purchasing a meal or a beverage during the event.
Presenters:
Elizabeth Reyna-Gardner
Elizabeth Reyna-Gardner, MS, LPC-S, LCDC, PsyD Candidate, is the Owner and Clinical Director of Guidinglight Counseling & Wellness PLLC and serves as President of the Laredo Chapter of Christian Counselors of Texas (CCT).
Elizabeth earned her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology from Texas A&M International University and her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Mississippi College. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor with extensive experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families.
Her professional experience includes work with the Webb County Youth Village Detention Center, Webb County Treatment Program, United Independent School District (UISD), and PILLAR, where she also served as a full-time mental health counselor and clinical supervisor. Her diverse experience across juvenile justice, treatment, educational, and community mental health settings has contributed to her understanding of the emotional, behavioral, developmental, and relational needs of children and families.
Emma Castillo
Aracely "Shelly" Hernandez, MA, LPC-S, LCDC
Aracely Hernandez is a dedicated mental health professional with more than 18 years of
experience serving individuals, families, students, and communities. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2005 and Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology in 2008 from Texas A&M International University (TAMIU).
Aracely began her professional career in 2006 as a Drug Counselor at the Laredo Job Corps Center, where she developed a strong foundation in working with adolescents and young adults. In 2009, she joined TAMIU’s Office of Student Counseling and Disability Services, where she served students in a variety of counseling and leadership roles before becoming Director in 2015. During her 11 years of service to the TAMIU community, she was committed to expanding mental health support, promoting student success and emotional wellness, and advocating for accessibility and inclusion.
In 2020, she established Gentle Heart Counseling & Supervision, PLLC, where she provides compassionate, client-centered counseling and professional supervision. As a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) and Licensed Chemical Dependency
Counselor (LCDC), Aracely is passionate about helping others navigate life’s challenges while supporting developing professionals in their growth.
She is also actively involved with the Christian Counselors of Texas – Laredo Chapter,
serving in a leadership capacity.
Graciela "Gracie" Martinex-Vela, MS, LPC, LCDC, NCC, NCAC l, CART, SAP
Graciela Martinez-Vela, MS, LPC, LCDC, NCC, NCAC I, CART, SAP, is a behavioral health professional who has worked in the field since 2002. Her professional experience spans clinical counseling, substance use services, behavioral health evaluations, regulatory and DOT related work, professional consultation, training, and program development.
She is the owner of Just Breathe Counseling, Consulting, & Coaching, PLLC in Laredo, Texas, where her work extends beyond traditional psychotherapy to include specialized evaluations, consultation with professionals and organizations, educational programming, and collaboration with community, legal, and referral partners.
Graciela is also the Co-Founder of Kardia Mind Body Soul (Kardia MBS), an educational initiative developed to expand access to learning and wellness resources through online education. Through Kardia MBS, she has been involved in developing educational content and programs that support personal growth, behavioral health awareness, and a broader mind-body-spirit approach to well-being.
Her clinical philosophy is person-centered and whole-person oriented, integrating evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused interventions, trauma-informed care, mindfulness, relapse prevention, and psychoeducation.
Graciela currently serves as Treasurer of the Christian Counselors of Texas – Laredo Chapter and has a particular interest in helping professionals bridge evidence-based clinical practice with ethical, culturally responsive, and faith-sensitive approaches to care.
