Christine R. Melendres, LCSW

Founder

Licensed Clinical Social Worker #96049

Location: Online, San Ramon & San Francisco, CA

Pronouns: she/her/hers

For the High-Achieving Woman Leader

Are you a high-achieving woman leader who feels like you’re constantly walking a tightrope between professional success and personal well-being? Do you find yourself exhausted, overwhelmed, and stuck in a cycle of putting others’ needs above your own? Maybe you’ve struggled to set healthy boundaries, feel guilty when you prioritize yourself, or believe that you have to do it all to succeed.

I see you—and I’ve been there, too. Many women like you are navigating the pressures of leadership while managing cultural expectations, family responsibilities, and the weight of being a role model. It’s easy to feel like burnout is inevitable or that asking for help means failing. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

I specialize in helping women leaders recover from burnout, manage anxiety, and regain balance in their lives. Using powerful techniques like Brainspotting and evidence-based methods, I’ll help you reconnect with yourself, establish clear boundaries, and prioritize your health without compromising your career. Imagine a life where you can lead with confidence, nurture your well-being, and still make space for the people and experiences that matter most.

You don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Together, we’ll create a path forward that aligns with your values, reclaims your peace, and allows you to thrive both personally and professionally.

My Story

I’m Christine R. Melendres, LCSW, Founder and CEO of Sweet Mango Therapy Group. I was born in Iba, Zambales, known as the home of the world’s sweetest mangoes, and I proudly carry my Kapampangan and Sambal roots from Bacolor, Pampanga, and Botolan, Zambales. After immigrating to the United States at age 3, I was raised in Daly City, California, where my commitment to serving the Filipino American community first began.

As the first in my family to graduate in the United States, the only licensed therapist in my family, and the eldest granddaughter on both sides of my family, I carry a deep sense of responsibility, care, and leadership in both my personal and professional life. I earned my degree in Sociology from UC Berkeley and my Master’s in Social Work from San Francisco State University. My lived experience as a Filipina immigrant and trailblazer in my family continues to shape the way I show up as a therapist.

With over 10 years of experience in healthcare, I specialize in supporting women and families navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, and burnout. I am especially passionate about helping medical professionals recover from burnout, compassion fatigue, and the emotional toll of caregiving roles. My approach is trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and grounded in helping clients feel seen, supported, and deeply understood.

Beyond my clinical work, I am also a mental health advocate, speaker, workshop leader, and community collaborator. I serve on the Board of Directors for the Filipino Young Leaders Program, where I bring together my passion for intergenerational healing, mental health, and leadership development.

Outside of my practice, I enjoy exploring local food spots, practicing mindfulness, and spending time with my husband and two children.

Education

• 2011 Master of Social Work, San Francisco State University, Concentration: Individuals, Families, and Groups
• 2004 Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Education, University of California, Berkeley

Licenses

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker – California Board of Behavioral Sciences – Issued 08/2020
• Certified Clinical Trauma Professional – Evergreen Certifications – Issued 08/2020
• Medical Social Work Certificate – Society for Social Work Leadership in Healthcare, California Chapter – Issued May 2011

Trainings

• Brainspotting: Phase I, Phase II, Phase III, Phase IV
• Mindful Self-Compassion
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Solution-Focused Therapy
• Motivational Interviewing

Presentations, Panels, & Podcasts

Dare to Dream: Stepping Forward with Courage, “In Full Bloom” Workshop, Thriving Women’s Network, CA, May 2023

Navigating Mental Health: Understanding Symptoms, Coping Strategies, and Work-Life Balance, A Workshop Promoting Self-Care in the Workplace, Innovative Legal Services, CA, May 2023

Self- and Community Care: Praxes of Radical Love and Healing in Filipinx Studies (with Christine Melendres, LCSW and Jeannie E. Celestial, PhD, LCSW), 2023 Bulosan Center for Filipinx Studies Research Conference, CA, June 2023

Linig into 2023, “Therapin*y Thursdays”, Therapin*y, CA, January 2023

Fil-Am Professional Career Panel, (with Christine Melendres, Franco Finn, AJ Emboido, Henni Espinosa, Isabella Reyes, Jaymeebaaby), LinkedIn & LinkedIn Asian Alliance, CA, October 2022

Thriving versus Surviving: A Workshop About Building Resiliency and Promoting Self Care within the Asian American Pacific Islander Community (with Brandon A. Shindo, MSW, LCSW, and Christine Melendres, MSW, LCSW), Great Place to Work, San Francisco, CA, May 2022

Journey on Being an Autism Mom, Episode 8 of The GRACE Matrix™ Own Your Journey Podcast, CA, January 2022

Therapist Meet & Greet, “Therapin*y’s Anihan”, Therapin*y, CA, October 2021

Investment Per Session

• Individual Therapy, 50 minutes: $250
• Family Therapy, 60 minutes: $300
• Superbill Provided Upon Request

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