PTSD therapy in Pasadena California and Northeast LA
You’re doing your best to move forward but your body still feels like it’s stuck in survival mode. The flashbacks, the shutdowns, the constant edge-of-your-seat feeling... it’s exhausting. And confusing, especially when no one else can see it.
I’m Cristina Lugo, a therapist who works with teens and young adults navigating life after trauma. PTSD doesn’t mean you’re broken, it means something hard happened, and your system is still trying to protect you. In therapy, we’ll work together to help your mind and body feel safe again, so you can stop bracing for impact and start living on your own terms.
Let’s explore what PTSD looks like, how it affects your nervous system, and how therapy for young adults and teens can support you in finding safety, clarity, and resilience.
What is PTSD therapy?
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) therapy is designed to support individuals who have experienced deeply distressing or traumatic events. These experiences might include abuse, accidents, loss, violence, or witnessing harm—and while everyone processes trauma differently, some people are left with lingering symptoms that interfere with everyday life.
In my practice, PTSD therapy means creating a safe, collaborative space where your story is honored without being retraumatized. I use approaches like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), somatic awareness, and mindfulness to gently process trauma at your pace. Therapy isn’t about reliving the worst moments, it’s about learning how to feel safe in your body again.
Most common symptoms of PTSD
- Flashbacks or intrusive memories
- Nightmares or disrupted sleep
- Avoiding people, places, or situations that remind you of the trauma
- Hypervigilance or feeling on edge all the time
- Emotional numbness or detachment from others
- Difficulty concentrating or feeling present
- Irritability, shame, or outbursts of anger
How do I know if I have PTSD?
You might not always realize that what you’re experiencing is connected to trauma. Ask yourself:
- Do I feel unsafe even in calm environments?
- Do I avoid certain people, places, or conversations because they remind me of something painful?
- Do I have intense emotional reactions that feel out of proportion to the moment?
- Do I feel disconnected from my body, like I’m floating or shut down?
- Have I had difficulty trusting others or building new relationships?
If any of this resonates, you’re not alone and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. PTSD therapy can help you feel grounded again.
How I treat PTSD in Pasadena
My trauma therapy approach is relational, embodied, and client-led. That means we go at your pace and center your voice in every session. We might use:
- EMDR to help reprocess traumatic memories without reactivating overwhelm
- Somatic practices to reconnect with your body and regulate your nervous system
- Mindfulness techniques to increase safety, presence, and emotional awareness
- Creative tools like narrative therapy or expressive journaling to make meaning of your story
Together, we work toward building a sense of internal safety and a life that feels worth living again.
What topics can we talk about in therapy for PTSD?
- Processing and integrating traumatic memories
- Navigating hyperarousal, anxiety, or shutdown responses
- Rebuilding trust in your body and relationships
- Identity and belonging after trauma
- Creative expression as a path to healing
- Setting boundaries and cultivating emotional safety
Ready to get started?
01
Our first session together is called the intake session
It’s a little longer than our regular 50 minute sessions so we have more time to get to know each other and talk about what brings you to therapy. I will ask you questions about your life, school, work, friends, history and more. There’s no pressure to share any of the really hard stuff on the first day, I just want to get an initial picture of who you are and what you are needing support with. If you’re a minor, I usually have one parent join us for the first 10 or 15 minutes of the intake so we can all talk together about how I will work to help you and introduce myself to your parent too. Then I will meet one on one with you for the rest of the time and for future sessions as well.
02
Together we’ll create a personalized treatment plan with your therapy goals.
The plan will include goals and tools such as EMDR, art, talk therapy or mindfulness. These goals are completely up to you and can be changed at any time. We will both keep your goals in mind as we meet together so we can stay on track.
03
Week by week, we’ll work through what’s been holding you back
So you can feel calmer, more confident, and more like you. Whether it’s navigating friendships, family, anxiety, or big emotions, you’ll build real skills to handle it all.
PTSD therapy specialist in Pasadena, CA
I’m Cristina Lugo, LCSW and I specialize in helping teens and young adults navigate PTSD, anxiety, and trauma recovery. My work is grounded in social justice, cultural humility, and empowerment. Whether you’re dealing with recent trauma or childhood wounds, you deserve a space to heal and feel whole. Let’s walk that path together.
Tips & resources for coping with PTSD
- Try grounding exercises like 5-4-3-2-1 (naming things you can see, touch, hear, etc.)
- Use breathwork or body-based tools to calm your nervous system
- Keep a journal to track patterns and notice progress
- Explore trauma-informed apps like Insight Timer or the PTSD Coach app
Hi there, I'm Cristina Lugo, LCSW
Trauma-informed therapist for teens & young adults
I help sensitive, curious, and creative young people navigate anxiety, identity, and life transitions with compassion and evidence-based care. My work is grounded in cultural awareness, empowerment, and deep belief in the human capacity to heal.
Download my free guide
Book your first session
❋ Rates: $215 per 50 minute in person or virtual session
❋ $250 per 60 minute intake session
❋ $140 for 30 minute parent consultation (virtual, phone or in person)
❋ Superbills are available for PPO reimbursement
FAQ
How is PTSD treated?
PTSD is treated through a combination of evidence-based therapies like EMDR, trauma-informed talk therapy, somatic practices, and mindfulness. The goal isn’t to erase the past- it’s to help your brain and body understand that you’re safe now. I tailor therapy to your needs so you can move at a pace that feels manageable and empowering.
Can PTSD be cured?
While there’s no magic cure, PTSD is absolutely treatable. Many people experience significant relief and transformation through consistent therapy and support. Healing is not about forgetting, it’s about gaining tools, releasing shame, and reclaiming your power.
Is EMDR appropriate for PTSD?
Yes- EMDR is one of the most effective therapies for PTSD.
As a trauma-informed therapist, I use EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to help teens and young adults process painful experiences without having to relive every detail. EMDR works by targeting the stuck memories and body responses that often come with PTSD- things like hypervigilance, dissociation, or feeling like the past is still happening now.
Instead of just talking about what happened, EMDR helps your brain and body actually process it so you can feel safer, more regulated, and more in control of your life again. It's a gentle but powerful way to heal without getting overwhelmed.
What are some trauma therapy techniques?
Trauma therapy may include EMDR, body-based regulation tools, grounding techniques, expressive arts, and narrative therapy. Each technique supports different aspects of healing- emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Can you self-treat PTSD?
There are self-help tools that can be supportive, such as grounding, journaling, and mindfulness apps. However, healing trauma often requires the presence of a safe and attuned other. Therapy offers structured, compassionate support that self-treatment alone can’t always provide.
Do you take insurance?
I am considered an out-of-network provider and do not bill your insurance. However, if you have a PPO plan, you may be able to get partial reimbursement of your therapy costs which is a great way to make therapy more affordable to you. I can provide you with superbills each month which you can then submit online to your insurance company and they would issue you a reimbursement check directly. Check with your plan to determine the percentage reimbursement you qualify for.
What is your cancellation policy?
I require 24 hours notice in order to cancel an appointment without charge. If something comes up for you, I can offer you reschedule options within the same week. If we are unable to reschedule then I will still need to charge the cancellation fee which is the full fee for our time.
What is a Good Faith Estimate?
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost.
Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services.
You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services.
You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service.
If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate,
visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call (800) 985-3059.
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