Group Therapy for Tweens in Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley
For tween girls and nonbinary youth who want to thrive socially and emotionally in middle school
Your tween deserves to feel seen and understood without having to hide parts of themselves just to fit in. This group is their space to build real connections, talk about what’s actually going on, and grow into who they are, without fear of being judged, dismissed, shut down or bullied.
Thrive Together Tween Group is for your tween if..
You’re watching your tween struggle emotionally in middle school. You keep hoping high school will get better for them but it’s still hard.
They've lost friends, gone through breakups or dealt with bullies or stalkers at school and need a safe place to talk about it.
They're navigating their identity, family, big emotions, friends and struggling to manage the ups and downs that come with all of these experiences.
They are coming down from a higher level of care like PHP, IOP or hospitalization and want the extra support to stay on track with healing.
They’re shy, lonely, neurodiverse, differently-abled, autistic and/or wanting to learn how to make more quality friendships and build social skills.
What if your tween could stop…
Feeling anxious to talk to anyone at school about their problems, worried that it will turn into gossip and make things even worse
Wondering if maybe everyone else has it figured out and they’re just behind and can never catch up
Struggling to make friends in judgmental school environments when they just need some social skills practice and safe opportunities to learn
Trying to hold it all in, only to end up doom scrolling for hours, asking ChatGPT for help and getting all the wrong answers
Your tween is not alone! We have worked with so many middle school girls and nonbinary youth over the years who have felt isolated in their struggles.
Thrive Together has been a place where they’ve made many deep connections with others who are holding the same pain. The middle school social space can be really stressful and demanding but group therapy is a special place where everyone is allowed to be themselves, feel safe and respected.
What is Thrive Together Tween Group?
❋ Established in 2018, this therapeutic group for middle school girls and nonbinary youth has been running continuously. Participants have cemented a deep culture of caring and compassion as they have grown and supported younger participants over the years.
❈ This is a weekly, in person 90 minute therapy group that accepts youth between 6th and 8th grade and caps at six members. We run year-round and accept new members on a rolling basis.
❉ Thrive Together is built upon the principles of fostering self-compassion, community, empathy, resilience and developing peer support. We celebrate and honor our relationships with each other, steps toward growth and the healthy navigation of middle school.
What’s included?
Activities
Check ins with each group member is the priority of each meeting. Each group member has the floor to share about their week in any capacity that serves their therapeutic goals. Group members then have the opportunity to respond and offer the member support.
Social-emotional education
Based on themes that come up in group discussion such as: communication skills, setting boundaries, coping skills, navigating difficult relationships and more.
Seasonal celebrations to honor each new season of the year
We recognize the arrival of spring, summer, fall and winter in seasonal parties.
Sporadic snack club
Group members may bring their favorite snack of the moment to share with others. We respect food allergies and dietary restrictions.
Games and fun activities
To support cohesion, friendship and stress management. We have a variety of group mindfulness games that we teach the tweens and they have often shared these games with their friends.
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.
Group day, time and location
❋ Thrive Together is on Thursdays from 6:00pm until 7:30pm
❈ Now accepting new members!!
✿ The group meets at 572 E Green St Suite 306 in Pasadena
Getting started
1
Let’s book a consultation to see if your young person is a good fit for this group:
Contact us to set up a free 20 minute consultation to discuss your tween. Myself or Alexis can share more about the group and we can decide if it’s a good fit.
2
We’ll have an in person meeting:
We will set up an in person 50 minute intake meeting with you and your tween where we cover all the basics of our group, develop goals for the group and set a start date. Each member is working on personal and social emotional goals that are private to Alexis and I, the parent and the youth.
3
Get ready to thrive in community:
Your tween will receive a group start date as early as the following week.
Hi, I’m Cristina Lugo, LCSW Therapist for teens and non-binary youth
I’ve spent 15 years specializing in teen girls struggling with anxiety, depression, emotional challenges impacting education, relational challenges with friends and family and basically most issues that could impact a young person. I’ve been in your shoes before, seeking therapy as an adolescent. It’s now my mission to provide the type of therapy young people deserve.
Payment details
❋ Group fees are $135 for each 90 minute group session
✿ The 50 minute intake fee is $225
❋ Sliding scale is available for families in need
✿ We accept vendor contracts with Regional Center and other social skills group funding
Eligible for PPO insurance reimbursement! Check your benefits below
Frequently asked questions
What is group therapy for tweens, and how does it work?
Group therapy for tweens creates a safe, therapist-led space where young people connect with others who are going through similar struggles.
In our Pasadena-based 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, tweens work one-on-one with a therapist, which offers a private space for focused support.
In group therapy, tweens 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 tweens attend for a few months, while others stay throughout all years of middle school depending on their needs and desire to continue. It’s common for tweens to pause or transition out of group as life changes and that’s okay. Please just give us several weeks notice when you plan to stop. The goal is to support growth while they’re here, not to add more pressure.
How do you maintain the privacy of the space?
We take group confidentiality very seriously and each group member has participated in an 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 your tween goes to the same school as one of our existing group members, I will check with both of them on if there is anyone from the school they 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 we have private 30 minute meetings with you and your tween called seasonal consultations. This meeting is our chance to discuss progress on your goals in a private setting and also hear from you, your tween 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.
With the right support, we can all thrive.
Let’s do it together. Let’s talk to see if our group could be a good fit.
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
