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    PEERS® Program

    What is PEERS®?

    The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®) is an evidence-based social skills intervention originally developed at UCLA by Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson and Dr. Fred Frankel in 2005 and is now used in locations across the US and internationally. PEERS® is a mannualized, social skills training program for adolescents with social difficulties. PEERS® is an evidenced based program, showing benefit for individuals on the Autism spectrum, but is also appropriate for individuals with ADHD, Anxiety, and Depression.

    • For motivated teens in middle school or high school and young adults who are interested in learning ways to help make and keep friends and/or handle conflict and rejection. Young Adults also learn dating etiquette.
    • Teens and parents and young adults and social coaches attend 12 weekly sessions, 90 min each week.
    • Clients are taught important social skills through didactic lessons and role play demonstrations and are given the opportunity to practice these skills in and outside of session.
    • Parent/social coach attends separate sessions simultaneously, and are taught how to assist their teen or young adult in making and keeping friends.
    • Parents/social coaches are required to attend.

    Topics of Instruction:

    • How to use appropriate conversational skills
    • How to find common interests by trading information
    • How to appropriately use humor
    • How to use electronic forms of communication
    • How to enter and exit conversations between peers
    • How to handle rejection, teasing, and bullying
    • How to handle rumors and gossip
    • How to be a good host during get-togethers
    • How to make phone calls to friends
    • How to choose appropriate friends
    • How to be a good sport
    • How to handle arguments and disagreements
    • How to change a bad reputation
    • Dating etiquette (young adult group)

    What are the participation requirements?

    • Difficulty making and keeping friends
    • Goal is to learn how to make and keep friends
    • Teen group (12-17) Adult Group (18-30)
    • MUST be interested in attending the program
    • Must agree to participate in the program voluntarily
    • Consistant attendance
    • Parent/social coach participation in group and home

    Dates and Availability

    Social Skills Boot Camp teaching PEERS® skills

    Duration: 4 weeks

    Days: Monday

    Planned Terms: Year round

    Time: 5:30 to 7:00pm

    Where: Offered via telehealth and in-person

    PEERS® for Adolescents Group

    Duration: 12 weeks

    Days: Thursdays

    Planned Terms: Year round

    Time: 5:30 to 7:00pm

    Where: Rancho Bernardo office 

    PEERS® for Young Adults Group

    Duration: 12 weeks

    Days: Mondays

    Planned Terms: Year round

    Time: 6:00 to 7:30pm

    Where: Rancho Bernardo office and Telehealth