Therapy for Teens and Adults near San Gabriel Valley | Counselor Cristina Lugo

Finding the right therapist near San Gabriel Valley can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure it out on your own. I provide trauma-informed, creative, and culturally responsive care for teens and young adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, and identity challenges. With more than 14 years of experience, I have built a safe, inclusive space where you can begin to heal and grow.

How it works

Book an intro call

Our first meeting is simply a chance to connect. You’ll have space to share what feels important while I listen and ask thoughtful questions. There’s no rush to share everything at once; the focus is on creating a foundation of safety and comfort.

Personalized, one-on-one sessions

Therapy should fit your life, not the other way around. Each person brings unique needs and goals, so we’ll create a plan that adapts as your circumstances shift. My role is to keep our work aligned with what matters most to you.

Evidence-based therapeutic techniques

I use a blend of approaches EMDR, mindfulness, and somatic awareness paired with creative tools like art and journaling. This balance helps you manage symptoms of anxiety, depression, and trauma while also reconnecting with your strengths and inner resilience.

Explore my therapy services and specializations

  • Individual Therapy for Teens and Adults

    This is your space to exhale. Individual therapy offers a confidential, compassionate environment where you can speak freely without judgment, without masks. Whether you're dealing with overwhelming stress, painful experiences, or self-doubt that’s hard to shake, our work together focuses on uncovering the root of your struggles and building emotional tools that feel realistic and grounding. Over time, many clients find a deeper connection to their authentic selves and begin to move through life with more clarity, confidence, and peace.

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  • Group Therapy for Teens

    Being a teen can be lonely even in a crowded room. Group therapy offers a supportive circle where teens connect with peers who truly understand. Through shared conversations, mindfulness exercises, and creative practices, teens begin to feel seen and valued. This setting nurtures emotional expression, reduces feelings of isolation, and helps build social skills, confidence, and self-trust. Group therapy becomes a place not just to talk, but to grow together.

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  • EMDR Therapist

    When the past keeps interrupting the present, EMDR can help. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful, research-backed therapy that helps the brain heal from traumatic or emotionally distressing experiences. Instead of re-living difficult memories, EMDR allows your mind to reprocess them in a way that makes them less painful and more distant. It’s structured, focused, and transformative offering relief, clarity, and the freedom to live more fully in the now.

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  • Anxiety Therapy

    Anxiety often feels like your mind is racing, your body is tense, and your sense of calm is nowhere to be found. In therapy, we create a space where you can finally slow down. Together, we identify your unique triggers, explore how anxiety shows up in your body and mind, and develop a personalized toolkit of calming strategies. Over time, clients learn to manage anxious thoughts more effectively, feel more grounded in the moment, and regain a sense of control over their inner world.

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  • Therapy for Teenage Depression

    Depression in teens is often misunderstood. It’s not just sadness, it can be irritability, exhaustion, numbness, or a loss of interest in things they once loved. In therapy, teens find a safe and validating space to express what they’re feeling, even when they don’t have the words. With gentle guidance, we explore their emotional world, introduce coping strategies, and slowly work toward restoring a sense of joy, motivation, and hope. It’s about helping them see that life can feel good again.

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  • Academic Burnout

    Academic burnout doesn’t just happen in college it starts when pressure and perfectionism outweigh passion and well-being. Whether you're a high school student buried under deadlines or a college student feeling emotionally drained, therapy offers a way to hit pause. We’ll unpack your stress, recalibrate your goals, and introduce practical tools that support motivation without self-neglect. It’s about learning how to succeed in school without sacrificing your mental health.Depression in teens is often misunderstood. It’s not just sadness, it can be irritability, exhaustion, numbness, or a loss of interest in things they once loved. In therapy, teens find a safe and validating space to express what they’re feeling, even when they don’t have the words. With gentle guidance, we explore their emotional world, introduce coping strategies, and slowly work toward restoring a sense of joy, motivation, and hope. It’s about helping them see that life can feel good again.

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  • Post-Grad Depression

    Graduation often comes with a silent weight of uncertainty, pressure to succeed, or the feeling that you're supposed to “have it all figured out.” If you’re feeling lost, unmotivated, or disconnected from your purpose, therapy can help you reset. We’ll explore your thoughts, doubts, and desires to clarify what truly matters to you. Together, we’ll create a path that feels aligned with who you are now, not just what’s expected of you. Clients often walk away with renewed energy, direction, and self-trust.

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  • Teenage Trauma

    For teens who’ve been through trauma, life can feel like carrying a heavy burden no one else sees. It can impact sleep, school, relationships, and sense of self. Trauma therapy provides a compassionate and structured environment where teens can begin to process their experiences safely. Using evidence-based methods tailored for adolescents, we work to reduce symptoms, rebuild emotional safety, and empower them to move forward with more strength and confidence. Healing begins with being seen and believed.

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I serve teens and adults near San Gabriel Valley

I work with clients from the San Gabriel Valley and surrounding areas including Pasadena and Northeast LA. Whether you’re a student facing academic stress, a young adult navigating identity, or a parent supporting your teen, therapy can help you feel more grounded and supported. My Pasadena office is about 32 minutes away by car, and I also provide virtual sessions if commuting isn’t possible.

Hello, I am Cristina Lugo | Therapist for Teens and Adults near San Gabriel Valley

I work with clients from the San Gabriel Valley and surrounding areas including Pasadena and Northeast LA. Whether you’re a student facing academic stress, a young adult navigating identity, or a parent supporting your teen, therapy can help you feel more grounded and supported. My Pasadena office is about 32 minutes away by car, and I also provide virtual sessions if commuting isn’t possible.

FAQ about my counseling services

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

    There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. The most effective therapy depends on your stage of life, identity, and needs. EMDR, mindfulness, ACT, and creative approaches can all be helpful when tailored to you.

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

    I prefer in-person therapy because it creates a stronger sense of connection. My Pasadena office is about 32 minutes from San Gabriel Valley, making it accessible if you want to come in. Virtual sessions are also available for convenience, and some clients even choose a mix of both.

  • Do you take insurance?

    I am considered out-of-network. Many PPO plans reimburse part of the cost, and I provide monthly superbills so you can request reimbursement directly from your insurance company.

  • What is your cancellation policy?

    I ask for at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel. If we can’t reschedule in the same week, the full session fee will apply.

  • Do you offer a sliding scale?

    Absolutely. I reserve several sliding scale spots to support community members facing hardship, including those impacted by ICE raids or recent wildfires. Let’s talk openly about what feels manageable for you we’ll find a rate that honors your current reality. This is part of my commitment to making care accessible, made possible by those who pay the full fee.