Therapy for Teens & Adults near Highland Park, Los Angeles | Cristina Lugo, LCSW
Finding the right therapist near Northeast LA can feel overwhelming, but you don’t 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, low self-confidence and trauma. 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
In our first call, the focus is on creating comfort. You will share what feels important to you, and I will listen carefully so you can start experiencing what it is like to be supported. By the end, you will know if this space feels right for your healing journey if you live near Highland Park, Los Angeles.
Personalized, one-on-one sessions
Therapy is not a formula. Each session adapts to what you need most. Whether you come in with anxiety, identity questions, or family struggles, I shape our work to keep you moving toward the life you want. For clients from Highland Park, Los Angeles, this means receiving therapy that is both personal and practical.
Evidence-based therapeutic techniques
In our work, I blend methods that are both evidence-based and creative. That means you will have access to tools like EMDR, IFS (parts work), ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy) and DBT but also space for reflection, expression, and imagination. The mix allows you to develop practical skills for anxiety, depression, or trauma while also reconnecting with your inner strength and creativity.
Explore my therapy services and specializations
Individual Therapy for Teens and Adults
LEARN MOREImagine finishing a long day and finally arriving at a space where you don’t have to filter your words or hide how you really feel. Whether you're a teen navigating identity, or an adult overwhelmed by responsibility, individual therapy offers you uninterrupted time to slow down, reflect, and heal. Together, we explore your emotions, patterns, and life experiences to help you better understand yourself. You'll leave sessions not just feeling heard, but equipped with tools to handle stress, manage relationships, and move through life with more clarity and confidence.
Group Therapy for Teens
LEARN MOREPicture a teenager sitting silently in class, believing they’re the only one feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or disconnected. Group therapy gently breaks through that isolation. In a safe, supportive space, teens meet others who are going through similar struggles. They practice vulnerability, learn communication skills, and build friendships that offer lasting support. Over time, group therapy fosters resilience, confidence, and a deep sense of belonging because realizing you're not alone changes everything.
EMDR Therapist
LEARN MORESometimes, old memories show up uninvited during a meeting, while scrolling your phone, or in the middle of the night. These flashbacks can feel intense, disruptive, and hard to manage. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a powerful therapy that helps your brain reprocess those memories so they no longer hijack your present. You don’t have to relive the trauma, you just learn how to release its grip. The result? More emotional freedom, better sleep, and space to live fully in the here and now.
Anxiety Therapy
LEARN MORELying awake at night with your heart pounding. Overanalyzing every interaction. Feeling like your body is always on high alert. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone and you don’t have to keep living like this. Anxiety therapy helps you understand how anxiety works in your brain and body, and more importantly, how to interrupt the cycle. With evidence-based tools, we’ll work on calming your nervous system, challenging unhelpful thought patterns, and helping you feel more grounded and focused in your day-to-day life.
Therapy for Teenage Depression
LEARN MOREWhen depression takes hold, it can make everything feel heavy like waking up, speaking up, or even feeling joy. For teens, this can be especially confusing and isolating. Depression therapy creates a safe, judgment-free space to talk openly and explore what’s going on beneath the surface. Teens learn to identify emotional triggers, build coping skills, and reconnect with the things that used to make them feel alive. It's not about fixing them it’s about reminding them of their strength and helping them believe in their future again.
Academic Burnout
LEARN MOREYou’re staring at a screen, deadlines piling up, and instead of motivation, all you feel is... nothing. Academic burnout hits when pressure outweighs your ability to recover and it’s more common than you think. Burnout therapy gives students a space to reflect, reset, and rebuild. Together, we identify what’s draining your energy and develop strategies that protect your mental health without compromising your goals. You’ll learn how to set boundaries, rest with intention, and stay focused without losing yourself along the way.When depression takes hold, it can make everything feel heavy like waking up, speaking up, or even feeling joy. For teens, this can be especially confusing and isolating. Depression therapy creates a safe, judgment-free space to talk openly and explore what’s going on beneath the surface. Teens learn to identify emotional triggers, build coping skills, and reconnect with the things that used to make them feel alive. It's not about fixing them it’s about reminding them of their strength and helping them believe in their future again.
Post-Grad Depression
LEARN MOREGraduating should feel exciting, right? But for many, it brings a confusing mix of pressure, doubt, and sadness. You’ve checked the boxes but now what? Post-grad therapy helps you navigate this uncertain season with clarity and self-compassion. We work together to unpack the stress, explore your identity outside of academic achievement, and build a vision for your next chapter that feels aligned, sustainable, and empowering. This is your space to redefine success on your own terms.
Teenage Trauma
LEARN MORETrauma doesn’t just live in the past it shows up in how teens respond to the world today. It can affect friendships, school performance, trust, and even self-worth. Therapy for teenage trauma offers a supportive space where teens can process difficult experiences at their own pace. Using trauma-informed methods, we help them rebuild safety, confidence, and emotional regulation. The goal isn’t to forget what happened but to move forward with more strength, self-trust, and hope for what’s ahead.
I serve Teens and Adults near Highland Park and Northeast LA
My practice is dedicated to the community of Highland Park, Los Angeles. I support teens, young adults, and parents who want therapy that feels personal, grounded, and responsive to their lives here. This is local care designed to meet the real needs of this community. From Highland Park, Los Angeles it is about 12 minutes by car to my Pasadena office, where I meet clients in person. I also see clients virtually if coming in is not possible.

H! I’m Cristina Lugo, LCSW Therapist for Teens and Adults near Highland Park and Northeast LA
My practice is dedicated to the community of Highland Park, Los Angeles. I support teens, young adults, and parents who want therapy that feels personal, grounded, and responsive to their lives here. This is local care designed to meet the real needs of this community. From Highland Park, Los Angeles it is about 12 minutes by car to my Pasadena office, where I meet clients in person. I also see clients virtually if coming in is not possible.
FAQ about my services
What is the best type of therapy for young adults and teenagers?
The right therapy for teens and young adults is one that responds to their emotional world. EMDR can help with trauma, ACT supports self-compassion, mindfulness regulates the nervous system, and expressive methods open the door to emotions that are hard to name. The most important factor is that therapy adapts to their identity and stage of life.
Do you offer therapy in person? What about virtual? Which one is better?
I primarily work in person because being face to face creates a deeper connection. Still, I understand that virtual sessions are sometimes the only practical option. For clients near Highland Park, Los Angeles, both in person and virtual work well, and we can even combine them depending on 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?
I ask for at least 24 hours’ notice to cancel without being charged. If rescheduling is not possible that week, the full session 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.