Pathways to Wellness: Sweet Mango Therapy tackles mental health barriers and stigmas
Sweet Mango Therapy team members Alyssa Casimiro, Maxine Soriano, Nikki Abeleda, and Melissa Ramirez. Photo: Janvier Briones
With a background in social work and a strong commitment to the growth and healing of Filipina/x/o and AAPI communities, Christine Ann Ramos Melendres established Sweet Mango Therapy Group, Inc. This Filipina-owned group psychotherapy practice supports first and second-generation women and their families along their mental health journeys.
“Seeing the lack of culturally responsive therapy and the persistent stigma surrounding mental health, I knew I had to take action,” Melendres said. “My children and the future of our community were huge motivations behind this endeavor.”
Sweet Mango Therapy offers individual, couples, family, and group therapy through telehealth services in California. Their team of clinicians supports clients through various therapeutic approaches, such as psychoeducation, trauma-informed care, cognitive-behavioral techniques, brainspotting, family systems therapy, and empowerment and resilience building.
But Sweet Mango Therapy embodies more than a therapy practice. It is a community dedicated to collective generational healing. Through collaborations with organizations like Therapinxy and the Filipino Young Leaders Program, Sweet Mango Therapy provides spaces where Filipina/x/o and AAPI individuals can feel a sense of belonging.
“It wasn’t just about individual healing. It was about rewriting the narrative on mental health for generations to come,” Melendres said.
Christine R. Melendres, founder of Sweet Mango Therapy and Therapin*y Bay Area chapter lead. Photo: Janvier Briones
Centuries of Spanish and U.S. colonization in the Philippines have significantly shaped Filipina/x/o mental health. The imposition of a caste system during Spanish colonial rule enforced a racial hierarchy that favored those with lighter skin while marginalizing individuals with darker skin. This system, which was perpetuated under the U.S. occupation, created social, economic, and political disparities across the Philippines and led to widespread internalized oppression known as colonial mentality.
Research indicates that colonial mentality, compounded by historical trauma and psychological stress, resulted in widespread issues related to self-esteem, identity, and mental health among Filipina/x/o Americans.
Further, cultural concepts like “hiya,” meaning shame, and “pakikisama,” meaning harmony within the community, underscore the significance of upholding outward appearances and refraining from burdening others with personal struggles. Consequently, individuals in need of support may be reluctant to seek mental health services due to fear of judgment from their community.
“Our colonial legacy has played a pivotal role in shaping how mental health is viewed within our community. Recognizing these influences is crucial in dismantling stigma and fostering a more inclusive understanding of mental health,” Melendres said.
Melissa Ramirez with Robelle Church from Wild Sage Therapy Center on May 18, 2024. Photo: Janvier Briones
Nicole “Nikki” Abeleda, a community organizer and co-founder of Sacramento Filipinx LGBTQIA+, joined Sweet Mango Therapy Group, Inc. in December 2023. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Abeleda works at the intersection of mental health and identity in LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities. They believe providing culturally responsive mental health services can help reduce stigmas around accessing care and build trust and rapport between providers and clients.
“The unique aspect of Sweet Mango is that our clients can work with therapists that have a stronger understanding of the specific issues that Asian people experience,” Abeleda said.
Drawing from her experience working with individuals and families in the San Francisco Bay Area, Alyssa Casimiro approaches her practice at Sweet Mango Therapy Group, Inc. with a deep appreciation for the values of community and family.
“Being a Filipina-Pacific Islander person myself allows me to connect with folks who have been searching for a therapist who could understand them at a deeper level in ways that don’t have to be said,” Casimiro said. “There’s power in affirming that what you are experiencing has been shared by other people or even by your clinicians. That shared experience can be really healing.”
Over the next year, Sweet Mango Therapy is determined to expand its network of providers and launch an Associateship Program designed to support pre-licensed therapists in advancing their careers. In fall 2024, they plan to host “Retreat into Wellness: Philippines,” a healing space specifically designed for Filipino and Filipino American healthcare professionals and therapists. Held at the ANYA Resort in Tagaytay, the retreat will provide attendees with a holistic approach to well-being and a platform for personal growth, professional development, and cultural immersion.