Therapy for Teens & Adults near San Gabriel Valley | Cristina Lugo, LCSW
Finding the right therapist in the San Gabriel Valley 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
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
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 skills 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 MOREThis 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.
Group Therapy for Teens
LEARN MOREBeing 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.
EMDR Therapist
LEARN MOREWhen 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.
Anxiety Therapy
LEARN MOREAnxiety 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.
Therapy for Teenage Depression
LEARN MOREDepression 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.
Academic Burnout
LEARN MOREAcademic 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.
Post-Grad Depression
LEARN MOREGraduation 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.
Teenage Trauma
LEARN MOREFor 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.
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’m Cristina Lugo, LCSW 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 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 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 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?
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.