Shawnace “Shawn” Melendez is a Clinical Director and Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor with a Mental Health emphasis (LADC/MH) in the state of Oklahoma. She holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Northwestern Oklahoma State University and brings advanced clinical expertise, executive leadership, and operational oversight to behavioral healthcare organizations.
With extensive training in evidence-based treatment modalities—including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Motivational Interviewing—Shawnace specializes in the assessment and treatment of co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. Her clinical framework is grounded in best practices, regulatory standards, and outcome-driven care, emphasizing individualized treatment planning, clinical integrity, and measurable progress. She utilizes a client-centered, recovery-oriented approach that integrates evidence-based interventions with practical strategies designed to support long-term stability and sustained recovery.
As Clinical Director, Shawnace provides strategic leadership across clinical operations, quality assurance, staff development, and program implementation. She is deeply committed to advancing clinical excellence, strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration, and ensuring adherence to ethical, professional, and regulatory standards. Her leadership style balances accountability with mentorship, fostering high-performing teams and consistent, high-quality patient care.
Shawnace’s leadership is further informed by more than 12 years of formal leadership training through U.S. Army military service, where she developed a disciplined, mission-driven approach to organizational leadership, decision-making, and team development. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. (Candidate) in Behavioral Health Organizational Management through National University, with a focus on executive leadership, organizational systems, and sustainable program growth within behavioral healthcare.
Grounded in a servant-leader philosophy, Shawnace is passionate about advancing the recovery field through strategic leadership, innovation, and the development of ethical, patient-centered treatment environments. Outside of her professional role, she enjoys hiking and reading, and values time spent with her two children—a daughter who enjoys Roblox and a son who proudly holds the title of the world’s best three-year-old bowler.
