Sunday morning workshops for ages 13 - 25
Thrive Together Wellness Workshops is a new workshop series rooted in community, psychology and decolonizing healing practices. In this time of community crisis, we are returning to the roots of healing our minds, bodies and spirits. Learning these healing practices as a group, you will come away with skills that you can use on your own or share with others. These workshops are open to the community ages 13-25 and will always take place on a Sunday morning for 90 minutes.
Finding connection is tough these days but you're not alone in this struggle
Many young people face isolation, loneliness and have been trying to navigate as best as they can. Asking Chat GPT for help has become common... and the advice is not always safe. Young people deserve real connections where they can get in touch with their bodies, inner wisdom and communities. That's where Thrive Together Wellness Workshops come in. We gather in person in Pasadena on Sunday mornings to pass down healing practices taken from mindfulness, psychology, expressive arts, folk magic traditions and more. Societies all over the world and across time have faced challenges before, so let's bring it back and tap into our strongest, most aligned selves.
What do you mean by healing practices?
While these workshops are being taught by a licensed therapist, I'm here to say that healing practices are absolutely not limited to therapy! They can easily be taught, shared and practiced. In fact, healing practices in societies were often shared in a community context, with people gathering in groups. A big part of the healing came from people witnessing each other's process and connecting with each other.
EMDR
As an EMDR Certified therapist, I have learned many tools and techniques from the protocols of this type of therapy that can be easily taught as stand alone coping tools. While learning EMDR skills is not the same as therapy, I can share with you some of the powerful skills I teach all of my EMDR clients so you can build on your own resiliency at home.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness goes far beyond meditation. We can practice accessing calm inner states not only through guided meditations but also through controlled breathing practices, learning mindfulness philosophy as a way to engage with our thoughts and feelings and other skills intended to help us find inner peace and acceptance.
Expressive Arts
Arts and creativity can be a powerful way to access your inner voice and express emotions and experiences that words cannot describe. Using collage, paint, crafting and more, we can use the creative arts to finally bring some of our most complex experience into the physical world.
Workshop descriptions
February 22nd 2026: Memory Books
Last year, our community experienced devastating wildfires that destroyed many people's homes. Whether or not you lost your home, this tragedy reminds us of the importance of our memorabilia. Whether you are starting over or wanting to organize what you have- in this workshop we are creating a special place to store and organize your cherished memories for years to come. Bring your photos, flat memorabilia, concert stubs, post cards and other items that bring up positive memories from your life. I will have photo albums for each person who registered, craft supplies and scrap book decorations. Let's learn about the art of scrapbooking as we continue to rebuild after the Eaton fire.
March workshop: EMDR tools for daily grounding
Come learn tried and true grounding tools including visualization skills and somatic exercises taken from the EMDR protocol that will be shared in this workshop. These tools can be used by anyone whether or not you’re currently in EMDR treatment to bring more emotional safety into your life. This workshop is not to be mistaken for EMDR therapy but the tools you will gain can help you build on your own emotional resources and inner strengths.
May workshop: Build your intuition
In this workshop we will be using a combination of tools taken from mindfulness traditions, psychology and magic. We will use these tools to tap into our inner voice, connect with our innate wisdom and recharge our spirits. We will engage our mind’s eye, pull oracle cards and hear from the hidden parts of ourselves.
Hi, I’m Cristina Lugo, LCSW Therapist for teens and young adults
I’ve spent 15 years specializing in helping young people struggling with anxiety, depression, emotional challenges impacting education, relational challenges with friends and family and basically most issues that could come up during this intense time of life. I have a therapy practice where I meet with clients individually but I'm also an experienced community organizer and want to share my knowledge in community experiences through Thrive Together Wellness Workshops.
EMDR
As an EMDR Certified therapist, I have learned many tools and techniques from the protocols of this type of therapy that can be easily taught as stand alone coping tools. To be clear- teaching EMDR skills is not the same as receiving EMDR therapy and these workshops are not therapy. I can however share with you some of the powerful skills I teach all of my EMDR clients so you can build on your own resiliency at home.
Mindfulness
To support cohesion, friendship and stress management.
Therapeutic arts and crafts
Sometimes the best way to express a feeling or an idea is through art! Especially as the seasons change, there are opportunities to explore creativity throughout the year.
Getting started
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Email me to set up your workshop and get updates
Contact me by email and I will add you to my workshop email list. I can also set up payment with you so you can reserve your spot. I prefer Zelle payments, cash or check but can also accept credit cards with with a small processing fee.
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Get updates by email
You will get a reminder with details about the upcoming workshop by email. Workshop location will be shared in the email as well, it will be in central Pasadena in a group meeting space, the size will depend on how many people reserved their spot.
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Get ready to thrive in community:
Your workshop will take place on a Sunday morning at 10am for 90 minutes!
Group day, time and location
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Payment details
Each workshop will have a different price due to the costs associated with buying supplies.
Memory books workshop: $150 (price includes photo album for you to use)
Sliding scale available, please discuss this with me in your email
With the right support, we can all thrive.
Let’s do it together. Reach out today to book your workshop!
Frequently asked questions
What is group therapy for teens, and how does it work?
Group therapy for teens creates a safe, therapist-led space where young people connect with others who are going through similar struggles.
In my Pasadena-based teen groups, participants explore topics like anxiety, identity, friendships, family stress, and emotional overwhelm all in a setting where they don’t have to explain or hide who they are. Sessions include open discussion, skill-building, and sometimes creative or mindfulness-based tools to help teens express what they’re feeling.
How is group therapy different from individual therapy?
In individual therapy, teens work one-on-one with a therapist, which offers a private space for focused support.
In group therapy, teens hear from peers who "get it," which helps reduce shame, build confidence, and strengthen social-emotional skills. Many clients find that group therapy adds a sense of belonging and helps them realize they’re not alone in what they’re feeling.
How long does group therapy for teens usually last?
Group therapy doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all timeline. Some teens attend for a few months, while others stay throughout all four years of high school depending on their needs and desire to continue. It’s common for teens to pause or transition out of group as life changes like starting college or shifting priorities and that’s okay. The goal is to support growth while they’re here, not to add more pressure.
How do you maintain the privacy of the space?
I take group confidentiality very seriously and each group member has participated in a 60 minute intake meeting with me where I explain confidentiality and why it’s extremely important. Every group member has agreed to this and other group agreements that I cover in the meeting.
I go to ___ school and don’t want to run into someone from school in group therapy. How do you handle this?
All of our group members go to different schools in the Pasadena area. If you go to the same school as one of our existing group members, I will check with both of you on if there is anyone from the school you would be uncomfortable being in group with. If there is not a match with names then we can proceed. I have had members from the same school before and it has always been a positive experience. I am happy to talk more if this is a concern for you.
How do I know if the group is working to help me?
Twice per year I have private 30 minute meetings with you and a parent called seasonal consultations. This meeting is our chance to discuss progress on your goals in a private setting and also hear from you, your parent and to give and receive feedback.
What is a Good Faith Estimate?
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost.
Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services.
You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services.
You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service.
If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate,
visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call (800) 985-3059.
Testimonials
I’ve been seeing Cristina as my therapist since 2022, and in that time she’s supported me through so many stages of life: from unemployment and relationship struggles to anxiety and navigating my bipolar I diagnosis.
We’ve done EMDR, workshopped big life decisions, and engaged in activities that have prepared me for tough conversations. She’s given me new perspectives, ideas, resources (like communities and events), and other creative and actionable advice that I use almost every day. She not only helps me work through issues, but she also helps me realize and celebrate my wins. That perspective has been a big part of helping me recognize my self-worth and build confidence. Above all, I appreciate Cristina for her openness and nonjudgment in hearing about things going on in my life. I’ve had many therapists in the past, and sometimes it feels like you have to present yourself without flaws. But with Cristina, I feel comfortable sharing even the messy sides of myself. The care that Cristina has for her practice really shines through. It shows in the way she’s always learning, researching, and introducing new tools, approaches, and even psychological theory that reflect her creativity, insight, and genuine desire to help. She’s guided me through difficult stages, opened my eyes to new perspectives, and given me both emotional and practical tools to carry with me. If you’re considering working with Cristina, my best advice is to try a session and see for yourself. She’s made a lasting impact on my healing and growth, and I’m so grateful for her support.
Cristina is a committed, conscientious, and inventive therapist. She and I co-facilitated a middle school therapy group for nearly five years. During our time as co-facilitators, I deeply valued her ability to utilize a trauma- informed, culturally sensitive framework to understand each individual group member. Her approach supported the development of a safe and trustworthy group space, which allowed members to engage authentically and form meaningful connections with one another. She coined the term “culture of caring” to describe the space that we (facilitators and group members) co-created. This term became a way to describe one of the core values of the group when welcoming new members. The term also describes the way in which Cristina practices therapy and engages with the world.
Dr. Angela Youngs
I found Cristina after a few unsuccessful attempts at traditional talk therapy. I was looking to try EMDR to tackle some recurring challenges in romantic relationships. From our first session, Cristina fostered a warm and nonjudgemental environment where I feel safe diving into some of the most tender parts of my past. Now, with Cristina’s help, I am able to see my past as a tool to understand how to successfully reach my goals and not something to be ashamed of. I finally feel like I am on the right path to achieving my goals and living a life where I can welcome authentic love and feel compassion for myself.
I’ve been seeing Cristina as my therapist since 2022, and in that time she’s supported me through so many stages of life: from unemployment and relationship struggles to anxiety and navigating my bipolar I diagnosis.
We’ve done EMDR, workshopped big life decisions, and engaged in activities that have prepared me for tough conversations. She’s given me new perspectives, ideas, resources (like communities and events), and other creative and actionable advice that I use almost every day. She not only helps me work through issues, but she also helps me realize and celebrate my wins. That perspective has been a big part of helping me recognize my self-worth and build confidence. Above all, I appreciate Cristina for her openness and nonjudgment in hearing about things going on in my life. I’ve had many therapists in the past, and sometimes it feels like you have to present yourself without flaws. But with Cristina, I feel comfortable sharing even the messy sides of myself. The care that Cristina has for her practice really shines through. It shows in the way she’s always learning, researching, and introducing new tools, approaches, and even psychological theory that reflect her creativity, insight, and genuine desire to help. She’s guided me through difficult stages, opened my eyes to new perspectives, and given me both emotional and practical tools to carry with me. If you’re considering working with Cristina, my best advice is to try a session and see for yourself. She’s made a lasting impact on my healing and growth, and I’m so grateful for her support.
Cristina is a committed, conscientious, and inventive therapist. She and I co-facilitated a middle school therapy group for nearly five years. During our time as co-facilitators, I deeply valued her ability to utilize a trauma- informed, culturally sensitive framework to understand each individual group member. Her approach supported the development of a safe and trustworthy group space, which allowed members to engage authentically and form meaningful connections with one another. She coined the term “culture of caring” to describe the space that we (facilitators and group members) co-created. This term became a way to describe one of the core values of the group when welcoming new members. The term also describes the way in which Cristina practices therapy and engages with the world.
Dr. Angela Youngs
