​Christine Melendres
she/her/siya

sweetmangotherapy.com | [email protected] |​ 925-665-3668 
​Instagram: @therapywithtee; @sweetmangotherapy

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Title: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Languages Spoken: English and Tagalog
Affiliations: Sweet Mango Therapy; National Association of Social Worker
​Approach: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Strength Based, Somatic Experiencing, Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy, Other (list additional approaches unlisted below), Brainspotting

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Christine R. Melendres (she/her/siya) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and founder of Sweet Mango Therapy Group. Christine and her family immigrated to the United States from the Philippines when she was 3 years old. ​

​She is the eldest granddaughter from both sides of her family, the first to graduate college in the United States, and the only licensed therapist in her family. Christine grew up in Daly City, California and has been involved in community work since the age of 12. Her interest in the mental health field stems from her own immigration experiences and bicultural identity. Christine helps high-achieving, young professional women of color who struggle with anxiety and trauma find clarity and reclaim their self-worth. Her approach is culturally sensitive, person-centered, trauma-informed and warm.

She uses interventions appropriate to your situation. Christine brings with her 10 years of experience working in various clinical settings including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and a group home for homeless pregnant women in crisis. Christine has helped hundreds of individuals and families in the Bay Area, and has extensive experience facilitating retreats, workshops and national conferences.

FMHI-SF promotes mental health awareness and reduces stigma within the community. It has helped people I serve by increasing access to culturally appropriate services. Everyone has "mental health" and what is important is that we take good care of it just like our physical health. It's important to normalize discussions around mental health in the Filipinx/Filipinx American community because discussing mental health concerns is considered taboo in many Asian cultures. There is also a negative stigma surrounding mental health in our communities. The lack of awareness of resources is also an obstacle to care.

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What does "mental health" mean to you? Why is it important for us as Filipinxs/Filipinx Americans to normalize discussions around wellness and mental health in our community?

Everyone has "mental health" and what is important is that we take good care of it just like our physical health. It's important to normalize discussions around mental health in the Filipinx/Filipinx American community because discussing mental health concerns is considered taboo in many Asian cultures. There is also a negative stigma surrounding mental health in our communities. The lack of awareness of resources is also an obstacle to care.