Therapy for Teens & Adults near Altadena | Cristina Lugo, LCSW

Finding the right therapist near Altadena can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to figure it out on your own. I offer trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and science-backed care for teens and adults who are navigating anxiety, burnout, depression, trauma and low self-confidence. Much of the time, these challenges impact school, work and life satisfaction but with the right support, you can get on track with your future goals. With more than 15 years of experience, I specialize in supporting women and girls, LGBTQIA+ individuals and those with multicultural and second generation identities. 

How it works

Book an intro call

The first call is like opening the door to a new room. You do not need to bring every detail right away. You can simply step in, share a little about yourself, and see what it feels like to have someone listen closely. My intention is to give you a safe starting point before anything else.

Personalized, one-on-one sessions

I think of our sessions as a map that shifts every time we meet. Sometimes the focus will be on practical tools for daily stress, and other times it may lead us into deeper emotions or past experiences. The plan adapts with you so therapy is always relevant to your life.

Evidence-based therapeutic techniques

I draw on approaches that are grounded in research and practice while leaving room for flexibility. EMDR and IFS help with trauma and upsetting experiences, ACT to support you with disturbing thoughts and feelings, and somatic work reconnects you to your body. I often bring in creative reflection as well, so you have both solid tools and imaginative ways of exploring your growth.

Explore my therapy services and specializations

  • Individual Therapy for Teens and Adults

    Individual therapy is like having a private studio, a space that’s just for you, where no thought is too much and no feeling is too complicated. It’s a space to slow down, tune in, and experiment with new ways of approaching life. Whether you’re unpacking past wounds, navigating identity questions, or learning emotional regulation, here you’ll find tools that actually fit who you are. The benefit? You return to your day-to-day life not just with insight, but with tangible shifts of clarity, steadier emotions, and a sense that you’re finally showing up for you.

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  • Group Therapy for Teens

    Think of group therapy as a team huddle for your emotional world. Each teen brings their own story, but as the weeks go on, those stories start to resonate with each other building connection, empathy, and trust. In this space, teens learn they don’t have to carry everything alone. Through guided conversations, creative expression, and shared vulnerability, they develop both inner strength and social confidence. The benefit is a deep sense of belonging, plus coping tools learned not just from the therapist, but from the group itself.

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  • EMDR Therapist

    EMDR works like a mental and emotional software update. The “files” memories, traumas, and old pain don’t get deleted, but they stop interrupting your system. Through gentle, structured techniques, EMDR helps the brain reprocess overwhelming experiences so they no longer hijack your nervous system or trigger you unexpectedly. You don’t have to relive the trauma to heal from it. The benefit is a lighter emotional load, less reactivity, and a greater ability to stay rooted in the present, even when the past tries to sneak back in.

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  • Anxiety Therapy

    Anxiety often feels like an engine that won’t turn off, buzzing beneath your thoughts and tightening your body with every to-do, every “what if,” every moment of silence. In therapy, we begin by listening to that engine not to fear it, but to understand it. Then we start adding tools to your toolbox: breathwork, grounding techniques, reframing anxious thoughts, and building rituals that soothe instead of spike. The benefit is less noise in your mind, more peace in your body, and the growing confidence that yes, you can handle what life throws your way.

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  • Therapy for Teenage Depression

    Depression in teens can feel like trying to run in deep water, slow, heavy, and lonely. Often, they don’t have the words for what they’re feeling, just the weight. Therapy becomes a space to name those emotions without shame, explore their roots, and gently uncover what joy still lives underneath it all. With the right support, teens can begin to feel safe enough to hope again. The benefit is learning to navigate emotions with more ease, recognizing what matters to them, and finding moments of light even in dark seasons.

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  • Academic Burnout

    Burnout shows up when you’ve been running on fumes for far too long, especially when success starts to feel more like survival. Academic burnout hits teens and young adults who are used to achieving, performing, and pushing through... until they can’t. In therapy, we press pause. We unpack what’s driving the burnout, set boundaries, and explore ways to reconnect with motivation that doesn’t drain you. The benefit is a renewed sense of agency, more energy, and a reminder that you are more important than your grades.Depression in teens can feel like trying to run in deep water, slow, heavy, and lonely. Often, they don’t have the words for what they’re feeling, just the weight. Therapy becomes a space to name those emotions without shame, explore their roots, and gently uncover what joy still lives underneath it all. With the right support, teens can begin to feel safe enough to hope again. The benefit is learning to navigate emotions with more ease, recognizing what matters to them, and finding moments of light even in dark seasons.

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  • Post-Grad Depression

    The world expects you to be excited after graduation but what if you’re not? What if, instead, you feel lost, anxious, or like everyone else got a map except you? Post-grad therapy is a space to make sense of that in-between stage. We work together to understand the uncertainty, challenge the pressure to “have it all figured out,” and co-create goals that actually feel aligned with your values. The benefit is a steadier path forward one that’s shaped by who you are, not just by what you think you should be doing.

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  • Teenage Trauma

    Teenage trauma can be invisible to others but deeply present in the body and mind of the one who carries it. Whether it’s a single event or ongoing exposure to stress or harm, trauma can distort self-image, trust, and safety. In therapy, I create a space where teens can unpack those experiences at their own pace, using trauma-informed approaches that prioritize regulation, empowerment, and care. The benefit is a rebuilding of self with fewer emotional ambushes, more internal safety, and a chance to rewrite the story they tell themselves.

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I serve teens and adults near Altadena

My practice supports teens, young adults, and parents living near Altadena. I understand the trauma of the Eaton fire is ongoing and I have been treating many clients who have faced this terrible situation and who are still rebuilding their lives. I provide therapy that helps you navigate those challenges while staying connected to yourself. My office is located in Pasadena, just about 11 minutes from Altadena, making it convenient if you’re nearby. I also offer virtual sessions for clients who prefer that option or cannot commute regularly.

Hello, I’m Cristina Lugo, LCSW Therapist for Teens and Adults near Altadena

My practice supports teens, young adults, and parents living near Altadena. I understand the trauma of the Eaton fire is ongoing and I have been treating many clients who have faced this terrible situation and who are still rebuilding their lives. I provide therapy that helps you navigate those challenges while staying connected to yourself. My office is located in Pasadena, just about 11 minutes from Altadena, making it convenient if you’re nearby. I also offer virtual sessions for clients who prefer that option or cannot commute regularly.

FAQ about my services

  • What is the best type of therapy for young adults and teenagers?

    For teens and young adults, the best therapy is one that feels personal and responsive. EMDR, ACT, mindfulness, and expressive arts can all be useful. More important than the method is making sure therapy matches the young person’s background, culture, and emotional needs.

  • Do you offer therapy in person? What about virtual? Which one is better?

    I believe in-person therapy creates a deeper connection, which is why I welcome clients from Altadena to my Pasadena office whenever possible. At the same time, I offer virtual sessions for those who prefer that format or need more flexibility. Both options are effective, and we can even combine them to fit your needs.

  • Do you take insurance?

    I am considered an out-of-network provider. If you have PPO insurance, you can be reimbursed for part of your sessions. I can provide superbills each month to help you submit for reimbursement which can make therapy much more affordable to you.

  • What is your cancellation policy?

    Please cancel at least 24 hours ahead. If something last-minute comes up, I will try to reschedule in the same week. If not, the full fee applies.

  • Do you offer a sliding scale?

    Yes, I am pleased to offer a robust sliding scale to support the various needs of our community. Please let me know if you have been impacted by the Eaton Fire, ICE raids or other difficult circumstances and we can find a rate that allows you to access therapy. My clients who pay my full fee make it possible for me to offer this community service so please bear that in mind when inquiring.