Therapy for Teens and Adults near La Cañada Flintridge | Counselor Cristina Lugo
There are moments in life when everything looks fine on the outside but inside you feel overwhelmed, anxious, or stuck.If you are a teen or young adult living near La Cañada Flintridge, you might know what that feels like. My work is about creating a safe space where you can process what weighs on you and explore new ways of moving forward. With more than fourteen years of experience, I bring together trauma-informed practices, cultural awareness, and creativity so you can reconnect with yourself and begin to thrive.
How it works
Book an intro call
Our first meeting is simply a chance to connect. You can share what feels important while I listen and ask thoughtful questions to understand your world better. There is no rush to open up about everything. This first step is about seeing if therapy feels like a safe and supportive place for you.
Personalized, one-on-one sessions
Every person arrives with different needs and goals. In our sessions, I adapt to what is most pressing for you. Some weeks it might mean working on practical tools to manage stress, and other times it could be focusing on deeper emotions or past experiences. Therapy is designed around you, not the other way around.
Evidence-based therapeutic techniques
I use methods that are both reliable and adaptable, such as EMDR, mindfulness, and somatic practices. Alongside these, I bring in creative approaches that make it easier to express what words cannot always capture. Together, these tools help you feel more grounded, clear, and confident.
Explore my therapy services and specializations
Individual Therapy for Teens and Adults
LEARN MOREDo you ever wish you had a place where you could say the things you keep bottled up without fear of judgment or being misunderstood? Individual therapy is that space. It’s where you can explore your thoughts, emotions, patterns, and fears with someone who’s truly listening. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, past trauma, identity struggles, or simply trying to understand why life feels heavy, our sessions are tailored to help you reconnect with yourself. You’ll learn emotional regulation tools, healthier ways of coping, and discover what it means to feel more present, grounded, and at ease in your own skin.
Group Therapy for Teens
LEARN MOREWhat if there were a space where you didn’t have to pretend you were fine all the time? Group therapy brings teens together in a safe, supportive environment where they can share their stories, feel seen, and realize they’re not alone in what they’re experiencing. In this circle, you’re not expected to be perfect, you're invited to be real. Through conversation, creative tools like art and journaling, and mindfulness practices, teens build emotional awareness, social connection, and confidence. The goal is not just to talk, it's to heal in community.
EMDR Therapist
LEARN MOREHave you ever felt stuck in a loop of painful memories, no matter how much time passes or how hard you try to move on? That’s where EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) comes in. It’s a specialized therapy designed to help your brain and body reprocess trauma in a way that reduces its emotional impact. Whether the pain comes from a single event or a lifetime of stress, EMDR can help those memories lose their grip so you feel less triggered and more free. I offer EMDR as a stand-alone treatment or as part of a broader therapeutic plan, depending on what you need.
Anxiety Therapy
LEARN MOREDo you find yourself constantly overthinking, unable to relax, or feeling like your body is always on edge? Anxiety can take many forms from restlessness and insomnia to physical tension and an overwhelming fear of the future. Therapy gives us a chance to pause that cycle and examine what’s really going on beneath the surface. We’ll identify your unique triggers, build tools to soothe your nervous system, and create daily rituals that help you feel more calm, clear, and capable. This is your time to take back control and find inner steadiness.
Therapy for Teenage Depression
LEARN MOREIf your teen seems like a different version of themselves withdrawn, irritable, or simply not interested in things they used to enjoy it could be more than just a rough phase. Teenage depression is real, and it deserves care. In our work together, I help teens name what they’re feeling, even when they don’t have the words. We explore their emotional world gently, build coping strategies that actually make sense in their daily life, and reconnect them with a sense of meaning and hope. Therapy becomes a place to rebuild not just energy, but self-trust.
Academic Burnout
LEARN MOREIf school has gone from something challenging to something soul-crushing, you may be facing academic burnout. This isn’t just about being tired, it's about emotional depletion, loss of motivation, and the pressure to be “enough” all the time. In therapy, we untangle those internal and external demands, reset your relationship with achievement, and find ways to make school feel manageable again. You’ll leave with more energy, stronger boundaries, and a clearer sense of your own pace and priorities.If your teen seems like a different version of themselves withdrawn, irritable, or simply not interested in things they used to enjoy it could be more than just a rough phase. Teenage depression is real, and it deserves care. In our work together, I help teens name what they’re feeling, even when they don’t have the words. We explore their emotional world gently, build coping strategies that actually make sense in their daily life, and reconnect them with a sense of meaning and hope. Therapy becomes a place to rebuild not just energy, but self-trust.
Post-Grad Depression
LEARN MOREGraduation is supposed to feel like freedom, but what if it doesn’t? What if you’re left with uncertainty, confusion, or a deep sense of now what? That’s more common than you think. Post-grad depression often shows up as disconnection, lack of direction, or fear that you’re falling behind. Therapy offers a place to sort through those emotions and find your own version of success. We’ll work on redefining goals, building daily structure, and exploring your identity beyond what you studied so your next chapter feels more like yours.
Teenage Trauma
LEARN MORESome wounds from the past don’t just fade with time; they linger in the way teens view themselves, relate to others, or respond to stress. Trauma therapy helps make sense of those experiences, whether it’s bullying, loss, neglect, violence, or anything else that feels overwhelming. I use trauma-informed approaches to create a space where teens feel safe and supported while they process what happened. Together, we work on reducing emotional triggers, building trust (in themselves and others), and finding a sense of peace they can carry into adulthood.
I serve teens and adults near La Cañada Flintridge
My practice is based in Pasadena, just 14 minutes from La Cañada Flintridge, and supports teens, young adults, and parents from this community. I understand the unique pace and pressures of living nearby, and I provide therapy that meets you where you are, with the tools and care you need to feel stronger and more supported.

Hello, I am Cristina Lugo | Therapist for Teens and Adults near La Cañada Flintridge
My practice is based in Pasadena, just 14 minutes from La Cañada Flintridge, and supports teens, young adults, and parents from this community. I understand the unique pace and pressures of living nearby, and I provide therapy that meets you where you are, with the tools and care you need to feel stronger and more supported.
FAQ about my counseling services
What is the best type of therapy for young adults and teenagers?
Young people thrive in therapy that respects their voice and experience. EMDR, ACT, mindfulness, and creative therapies can all be part of the process. What makes therapy work is the sense of safety and personalization, with the focus on who they are and what they need at this stage.
Do you offer therapy in person? What about virtual? Which one is better?
I have always valued in-person therapy because the connection feels richer when we share space. My office is located in Pasadena, just a short drive from La Cañada Flintridge, which makes it easy for clients from that area to come in person if they choose. Virtual sessions are also available when needed, so no matter where you are, we can work together in the way that feels most accessible and supportive for you.
Do you take insurance?
I am an out-of-network provider. If you have PPO coverage, you may get part of your fee reimbursed. I can provide you with a monthly superbill to submit to your insurance company.
What is your cancellation policy?
I ask for 24 hours’ notice to cancel an appointment. If rescheduling in the same week is not possible, I do charge the full session fee.
Do you offer a sliding scale?
Yes, I offer a flexible sliding scale. If you are navigating financial hardship, whether due to the Eaton Fire, ICE activity in the area, or other life circumstances please share what’s going on, and we will find a rate that supports your needs. The ability to provide this depends on full-fee clients who help sustain this community service, and I appreciate your awareness of that.