Therapy for Teens and Adults near South Pasadena | Counselor Cristina Lugo
I value in-person therapy because the connection is immediate and grounded. At the same time, I understand that many clients prefer or need virtual therapy, and I provide that option. If you live in the South Pasadena area, you can easily reach my Pasadena office for in-person sessions, or choose virtual therapy when it’s more practical. Both options are effective, and sometimes we combine them depending on your needs.
How it works
Book an intro call
The first call is like dipping your toes into the water instead of jumping straight in. You do not need to share every detail right away. You just get to test how it feels to have someone on your side who listens without judgment.
Personalized, one-on-one sessions
Therapy with me is more like a custom playlist than a generic radio station. Each session adapts to your rhythm and needs, so you always leave with something that speaks directly to your life. If you live in the South Pasadena area, you can come to my Pasadena office for in-person sessions, or choose virtual therapy both options are designed to fit seamlessly into your world.
Evidence-based therapeutic techniques
I use methods that work like a toolkit you can carry anywhere. EMDR untangles old knots, mindfulness slows down the spinning wheel in your head, and somatic work reconnects you with the ground beneath your feet. These practices make everyday stress more manageable and life feel lighter.
Explore my therapy services and specializations
Individual Therapy for Teens and Adults
LEARN MOREIndividual therapy is like finally standing in front of a mirror that reflects you as you truly are not as others expect you to be. In this space, you don’t have to perform or pretend. You get to explore the thoughts, habits, emotions, and patterns that are affecting your life and relationships. Whether you're navigating identity questions, stress, grief, or just trying to feel more you, therapy gives you clarity and coping strategies that feel doable in real life. Many clients describe leaving sessions feeling lighter, validated, and more in control of their inner world.
Group Therapy for Teens
LEARN MOREGroup therapy for teens is a space where isolation starts to dissolve. It’s like sitting around a campfire where everyone is carrying something and for the first time, it feels okay to share your story. Through structured discussions, creative expression, and shared experiences, teens discover that they aren’t alone in their thoughts or emotions. They learn to build trust, speak with courage, and support one another, often walking away with a renewed sense of belonging and emotional resilience.
EMDR Therapist
LEARN MORETrauma often leaves us stuck in moments that our brain hasn’t fully processed, like software running in the background and slowing everything down. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) helps “update” those memories so they no longer hijack your nervous system. It’s not about erasing the past, but about transforming how it lives inside you. This evidence-based therapy gently guides the brain through reprocessing traumatic or overwhelming events, helping you feel safer, calmer, and more present in your life.
Anxiety Therapy
LEARN MORELiving with anxiety can feel like having twenty browser tabs open at once, with one of them playing loud music you can’t locate. Therapy helps quiet the noise. Together, we uncover what’s fueling the anxiety whether it’s perfectionism, fear of failure, social pressure, or chronic stress and introduce tools to soothe your nervous system. You’ll learn to ground yourself, reframe intrusive thoughts, and take actionable steps that give you back a sense of control. Over time, sleep improves, thoughts slow down, and daily life feels less overwhelming.
Therapy for Teenage Depression
LEARN MORETeen depression doesn’t always look like sadness; it can show up as irritability, numbness, isolation, or even overachievement. Therapy offers teens a safe and consistent space to be heard without pressure to “cheer up” or explain everything perfectly. Together, we gently explore the root of the heaviness, build emotional language, and introduce habits that bring back small sparks of motivation and pleasure. The goal isn’t to force happiness, but to slowly help teens reconnect with joy, purpose, and their own voice.
Academic Burnout
LEARN MOREAcademic burnout feels like running a marathon on a treadmill you’re constantly moving, but never arriving anywhere. The pressure to perform, meet expectations, and juggle everything can lead to exhaustion, irritability, and even physical symptoms. In therapy, we hit pause. You’ll learn how to identify your limits, set boundaries, and redefine what success actually means for you. This work helps you restore motivation, improve focus, and recover a sense of balance not just in school, but in life.Teen depression doesn’t always look like sadness; it can show up as irritability, numbness, isolation, or even overachievement. Therapy offers teens a safe and consistent space to be heard without pressure to “cheer up” or explain everything perfectly. Together, we gently explore the root of the heaviness, build emotional language, and introduce habits that bring back small sparks of motivation and pleasure. The goal isn’t to force happiness, but to slowly help teens reconnect with joy, purpose, and their own voice.
Post-Grad Depression
LEARN MORELife after graduation can feel disorienting, like being handed a beautifully drawn map with no street names. You’ve crossed a milestone that’s supposed to feel celebratory, yet you feel lost, overwhelmed, or like you’re falling behind. Post-grad therapy helps you process the shift in identity, expectations, and uncertainty. Together, we clarify your next steps, tap into your strengths, and design a future that aligns with who you are now, not just who you thought you were supposed to be.
Teenage Trauma
LEARN MORETrauma in teens often goes unseen, like a backpack full of bricks they carry without knowing how to explain. It might show up in anxiety, anger, withdrawal, or struggles at school. Trauma therapy creates a safe, supportive space where teens can begin to unpack their experiences at their own pace. Through gentle, developmentally appropriate approaches, we help reduce emotional triggers, increase a sense of safety, and rebuild trust both in themselves and in others. This is where healing begins, and self-worth starts to grow again.
I serve teens and adults near South Pasadena
Sometimes it feels like you are walking through life with noise-canceling headphones on, unable to connect even when people are around you. Many teens and young adults in South Pasadena experience that invisible disconnection, along with the pressure to appear fine. My Pasadena office is just about 10 minutes away by car, making it convenient to come in person, and I also offer virtual sessions when needed. Therapy with me is about taking those headphones off and actually hearing yourself again. With trauma-informed care, EMDR, and creative tools, I help you turn confusion into clarity and heaviness into growth.

Hello, I am Cristina Lugo | Therapist for Teens and Adults near South Pasadena
Sometimes it feels like you are walking through life with noise-canceling headphones on, unable to connect even when people are around you. Many teens and young adults in South Pasadena experience that invisible disconnection, along with the pressure to appear fine. My Pasadena office is just about 10 minutes away by car, making it convenient to come in person, and I also offer virtual sessions when needed. Therapy with me is about taking those headphones off and actually hearing yourself again. With trauma-informed care, EMDR, and creative tools, I help you turn confusion into clarity and heaviness into growth.
FAQ about my counseling services
What is the best type of therapy for young adults and teenagers?
The right therapy for teens and young adults is the one that meets them where they are emotionally and culturally. EMDR, ACT, mindfulness, and expressive practices can all be useful, but the most important part is that therapy feels safe, flexible, and tailored to their reality.
Do you offer therapy in person? What about virtual? Which one is better?
I value in-person therapy because the connection is immediate and grounded. At the same time, I understand that many clients prefer or need virtual therapy, and I provide that option. If you live in South Pasadena, my Pasadena office is only about 10 minutes away by car, making it easy to attend sessions in person. Both in-person and virtual formats are effective, and sometimes we combine them depending on your needs.
Do you take insurance?
I am out-of-network. If you have a PPO plan, you may receive partial reimbursement. I provide superbills each month that you can submit to your insurance company.
What is your cancellation policy?
Please let me know at least 24 hours before canceling to avoid being charged. If rescheduling within the same week is possible, I will always try to make it work.
Do you offer a sliding scale?
I do. My sliding scale is designed to support clients who may be facing financial stress. If you’ve experienced hardship like the Eaton Fire or ICE-related events please let me know so we can determine an accessible rate. The ability to offer this is supported by clients paying my full fee, and I appreciate the shared effort in making therapy more accessible for all.