How We Treat
PEERS® Social Skills Program for Teens & Young Adults
The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®) is an evidence-based treatment program focusing on the development of social skills for children, adolescents, and young adults with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or other intellectual and developmental disabilities.
A Social Life That Works for Them Starts Here.
Counseling Center Group offers UCLA-certified PEERS® social skills groups for teens and young adults in Maryland, New York, New Jersey, and through virtual options where available.
Evidence-based. Clinician-led. Built for the real world.
You weren’t meant to navigate this alone. Neither was your child.
If your teen or young adult has ever come home from school quieter than they left, or if you’ve watched them struggle to find their place, you already know that knowing what to say and how to connect are skills, not character flaws.
PEERS® is a program built on that truth.
Developed over 20 years at UCLA and delivered here by clinicians certified through the Semel Institute, PEERS teaches teens and young adults the specific, real-world social skills that make friendships possible. And it teaches parents how to help them practice. Connection is not a side effect of this work. It is the work.
| PEERS Program at a Glance | Details |
|---|---|
| Ages Served | Teens 12-17 and young adults 18-30 |
| Format | In -person and virtual options available |
| Length | 16 Weeks |
| Parent/Caregiver Participation | Required |
| Best Fit | Autism, ADHD, social anxiety, friendship challenges, and general social difficulties |
| Locations | Maryland, New York, New Jersey, and virtual options |
| First step | Free 15-minute phone screen |
What Is PEERS®?
PEERS® : Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills is one of the most rigorously researched social skills programs in the world. Developed at UCLA’s Semel Institute, it has helped thousands of teens and young adults build the friendships and social confidence they deserve.
PEERS is structured like a course, not traditional therapy. Over 16 weeks, your teen or young adult learns and practices evidence-based social skills in a small group setting. At the same time, you meet separately as their “social coach”, learning the same skills so you can support and reinforce progress at home.
This is short-term in structure. Built to last.
In 16 weeks, participants learn:
- Conversation skills: how to start, maintain, and end them naturally
- Choosing good friends: reading social fit and reciprocity
- Handling arguments and disagreements
- Navigating social media and texting
- Responding to teasing and bullying with confidence
- Planning and hosting get-togethers
- Dating and romantic relationships (young adult program only)
These skills are “ecologically valid”, meaning they were developed by observing how real people actually connect, and then tested to confirm they work in the real world. Not in a clinical vacuum. In actual friendships.
Who Is PEERS Best For?
PEERS is for teens (ages 12–17) and young adults (ages 18–30) who want to build a stronger, more fulfilling social life. It is not limited to any one diagnosis. Participants often include young people with:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- ADHD
- Social anxiety
- General difficulty making or keeping friends
- Challenges navigating social situations, humor, or peer dynamics
PEERS is not a crisis intervention, and it is not traditional talk therapy. If your child has the desire to have a social life and is open to learning, PEERS was built for them.
PEERS at the Counseling Center Group
Most people come to therapy because something is not working. We help you discover what is actually possible.
PEERS at CCG is delivered by clinicians who are certified through the Semel Institute at UCLA, the same institution where the program was developed and has been researched for over two decades. Every facilitator in our program holds that certification, which means the curriculum is delivered with fidelity: the structure, the sequence, and the techniques that research has validated.
What makes CCG’s PEERS program distinctive is the clinical ecosystem around it. Our practice specializes in evidence-based modalities: DBT, EMDR, ART, and CBT, and our PEERS facilitators are part of that broader team. If a family needs additional support before, during, or after PEERS, the right clinician is already here.
Our program features:
- UCLA Semel Institute–certified facilitators in Maryland, New York, New Jersey, and Virtual Only Groups available in Georgia
- Small group sizes with individualized attention
- Simultaneous parent/caregiver coaching group every session
- Both virtual and in-person options available
- Access to CCG’s full clinical team for integrated support
| PEERS for Teens | PEERS for Young Adults |
|---|---|
| ages 12-17, parent/caregiver attends as social coach | ages 18-30, parent or trusted adult may participate as social coach |
| focus on school-age friendship and peer skills | includes friendship-building, independence, dating, college/workplace social situations |
Social Skills Groups: How to Get Started at CCG
Step 1: Free Phone Screen
A 15 minute call with a member of our team. We’ll learn about your teen or young adult, answer your questions, and help you determine whether PEERS is the right fit. There is no cost and no obligation.
Step 2: Intake Session
A 45-60 minute meeting with the parent or caregiver and the teen or young adult together. We make sure everyone has a clear picture of how PEERS works, what to expect, and what success looks like. Once intake is complete and paperwork is signed, your seat in the cohort is confirmed.
Step 3: 16 Weeks of PEERS
Groups meet once per week. Teens and young adults meet in their group; parents and caregivers meet simultaneously in a separate group or on a different day of the week. Each week builds on the last. Homework assignments and in-home practice are part of the program, this is where the skills become real.
Step 4: What Comes Next
PEERS is designed to give your child skills they carry forward independently. At the close of the program, we’ll discuss next steps, ongoing support options, and how to continue building on what they’ve learned. The goal has always been for them to need us less. Learn more about our PEERS-graduate groups, here!
Cohorts are forming now in Maryland, New York, and New Jersey. Virtual and in-person options are available. Space in each cohort is limited.
The Parent’s Role: Your Role Matters More Than You Know
PEERS social skills program works because parents and caregivers are part of it. Every participant has a “social coach”, a parent, caregiver, or trusted adult who attends their own separate group each week.
As a social coach, you learn the same skills your teen or young adult is learning. You practice together at home. You help them debrief what went well, what to try differently, and how to apply what they’re building in real situations.
This is not passive observation. Research shows that the parent’s role is one of the most significant factors in PEERS outcomes. You are not just supporting the program, you are part of what makes it work.
If You’re the One Considering PEERS, This Part Is for You.
It’s not therapy.
PEERS is a class, not a therapy group. You won’t be asked to talk about your feelings in front of the group or share anything you’re not comfortable sharing. It’s skills-focused, activity-based, and structured.
It’s about your life, not ours.
We’re not trying to make you more popular, more outgoing, or more like someone else. We’re trying to help you build the kind of friendships that actually work for you as a unique person. You don’t have to mask. You don’t have to fit a mold.
You already have social skills.
The goal isn’t to start from zero. It’s to learn what you’re already doing well, add new tools, and practice using them in increasingly real situations over 16 weeks.
You get out what you put in.
Like any class, PEERS works when you show up, participate, and try the assignments outside of group. The skills are real. The research behind them is real. And if you do the work, you will see real changes.
You are not the only one who feels this way.
Come meet the others.
Recommended Reading:
- PEERS for Young Adults Social Skills Training for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Social Challenges
Book by Elizabeth Laugeson (2017) - The Science of Making Friends: Helping Socially Challenged Teens and Young Adults
Book by Elizabeth A. Laugeson (2013) - Social Skills for Teenagers with Developmental and Autism Spectrum Disorders: The PEERS Treatment Manual
- Book by Elizabeth A. Laugeson(2010)
FAQs
Does my child need an autism diagnosis to participate in PEERS?
No. Although, PEERS was originally developed for autistic teens and young adults social skills training, the research consistently shows it is effective for anyone who wants to build social skills, including young people with ADHD, social anxiety, or general difficulty making and keeping friends. We welcome participants across the neurodiversity spectrum and beyond.
Do online groups actually work?
Yes. Research from UCLA demonstrates that virtual PEERS groups are just as effective as in-person groups for building and generalizing social skills. CCG offers both virtual and in-person options depending on availability in your area. We will always help you find the best fit.
What does it cost? Do you take insurance?
PEERS is a private-pay program and does not bill insurance directly. PEERS fees are FSA/HSA-eligible, meaning many families are able to use pre-tax funds to cover the cost of the program. Your free 15-minute phone screen is the right place to get accurate, current pricing information for your area and program.
How many people are in each group?
Groups are intentionally small, typically six to ten participants, with a facilitator-to-participant ratio that allows for individualized attention and meaningful practice.
Is parent or social coach participation required?
Yes. Parent or coach involvement is a central part of PEERS®. They learn strategies to support skill practice and help reinforce progress outside of sessions.
What are the prerequisites or eligibility criteria?
Motivation to improve social skills
Ability to communicate verbally in a group setting
Age-appropriate fit for the specific group (child, teen, young adult)
Completion of an intake or screening process in many cases
What if my teen or young adult is resistant?
This is one of the most common things we hear from parents. We are glad to help you think through how to introduce PEERS in a way that resonates with your specific child. The phone screen is a great place to have that conversation. We can also talk through what the first session experience typically looks like, which often helps ease initial hesitation.
What happens after PEERS ends?
The program is designed to build skills that your child carries forward independently. We discuss next steps and ongoing support options at the close of the cohort. CCG’s full clinical team is available for continued individual or family support if needed. The goal has always been for them to need us less, and to have the tools to get there.
Do I have to attend every session as the social coach?
Consistent participation as a social coach is a core part of the PEERS model and one of the strongest predictors of positive outcomes. We ask that parents and caregivers plan to attend all 16 sessions. If something comes up, we’ll work with you, but commitment to the full program matters.
Space in each cohort is limited. Reserve yours.
Cohorts are forming now across Maryland, New York, and New Jersey. The first step is a free, no-obligation phone screen, a 15-minute conversation to answer your questions and help you decide if PEERS is the right fit. You were never meant to figure this out alone. Neither was your child.