Usap Tayo – How to Have Hard Conversations in Filipino Families – July 21

During these changing times, it can be difficult to have conversations about issues that have a profound impact in our daily lives.

In this virtual webinar, “Usap Tayo – How to Have Hard Conversations in Filipino Families,” we tackle boundaries, conflict, and communication without disrespect.

When: Monday, July 21, 2025 at 5pm PT/8pm ET

Register: bit.ly/UsapTayoWebinarJuly

Learn how to set boundaries with parents or titos/titas without being seen as “disrespectful.”

We’ll talk about managing guilt, hiya, and pakikisama, and share practical scripts for handling gossip, unsolicited advice, and expectations.

We’ll also explore “taboo” topics like dating, gender, therapy, and career choices. It’s a space to unlearn shame, speak with compassion, and heal together.

This discussion is facilitated by Christine R. Melendres, LCSW and Roanne Samuels.

Bios:

Christine R. Melendres is the Founder & CEO of Sweet Mango Therapy Group, a California-based psychotherapy practice and the first Filipina-owned group dedicated to serving the Filipina/x/o and AAPI communities in the United States. Born in Iba, Zambales, the home of the world’s sweetest mangoes, Christine’s roots are deeply tied to the Kapampangan and Sambal people. She immigrated to the United States at age 3 and became the first in her family to graduate from college in the United States and become a licensed therapist.

Christine earned her degree in Sociology from UC Berkeley and completed her Master of Social Work at San Francisco State University. Her passion for mental health is driven by her immigration experiences and bicultural identity. She specializes in supporting high-performing BIPOC women focusing on issues such as burnout, anxiety, depression, trauma, and imposter syndrome. Her approach is culturally sensitive and trauma-informed, backed by over 10 years of experience in various clinical settings.

In addition to her practice, Christine is a speaker, presenting on mental health and wellness at Bay Area companies. She also serves on the board of directors for the Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO), where she continues to foster leadership and collaboration within the Filipino community, having been a FYLPRO delegate in 2023. In her free time, Christine enjoys playing with her two young children, watching comedy shows with her husband, listening to podcasts, swimming, and practicing yoga.

Roanne Samuels has been a Psychotherapist for more than 17+ years. She began her career working with low income,  high risk families in treating complex trauma & promoting positive attachment outcomes. She also served as Tagalog speaking Social Worker in Solano County for 5 years & has visited more than 500 Filipino households.  Roanne pioneered and led the 1st Filipino Outreach Project in the same county aimed at mental health stigma reduction. She has created various presentations on providing culturally-responsive care to the Filipinx population. Her presentations have been presented to various organizations including the UC Davis Center for Reducing Health Disparities Team, UC Davis Bulosan Filipinx Studies, NPR and others.

She is a contributing writer for psychotherapy.net. She is a Filipina immigrant mom of 4. Today, Roanne is in private practice and works as a consultant for Solano County School District. She is the blogger behind kalamansijuice.com & the podcaster behind Pinoy Love Language Podcast.  And, when Roanne is not in session, you can often find her belly laughing with her children & pulling weeds in her garden.