Our PEERS® Programs

PEERS® (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills), developed at UCLA by Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson, is an evidence-based program that transforms social science into clear, actionable strategies for forming and maintaining friendships.

At Behavior Compass, our PEERS®-certified providers deliver structured, evidence-based support for children, adolescents, and young adults through both group and individual formats. Our services are designed to build confidence, strengthen social connections, and promote greater independence.

  • Ages: 11-17

    Duration: 16 weeks, 90 minute sessions

    Format options: online, in person (in select areas), individual sessions, group sessions

    Format options: Online, in person (in select areas), group sessions, and limited individual sessions available

    PEERS® for Adolescents is a structured, evidence-based social skills program designed to help teens develop and maintain meaningful friendships. Through guided instruction, role-play demonstrations, and real-world practice, participants learn practical strategies for navigating social situations, building connections with peers, and increasing confidence in social environments.

    Adolescents participate in the group while their caregiver, parent, support staff, or other designated social coach attends a separate coaching session at the same time. Social coaches learn how to support skill practice outside of sessions, help participants follow through with assignments, create opportunities for social interaction, and reinforce the strategies taught during the program. This structure is an important part of the PEERS® model and helps ensure skills are successfully applied in real-world situations.

    Topics covered in the program include:

    • Developing and maintaining friendships
    • Conversational skills
    • Entering and exiting conversations
    • Appropriate use of humor
    • Handling teasing and bullying
    • Electronic communication and social media
    • Organizing get-togethers with friends
    • Being a good sport
    • Handling disagreements and conflict

    This program may also be taken alongside our PEERS® Dating Skills Program for individuals ages 14 and older who are interested in developing skills related to dating and romantic relationships.

    A social coach is a required part of the PEERS® program. If a participant does not have a caregiver, family member, or support person available to serve in this role, our team may be able to provide a trained social coach for an additional fee.

  • Ages: 18+

    Duration: 16 weeks, 90 minutes

    Format options: online, in person (in select areas), individual sessions, group sessions

    PEERS® for Young Adults is a structured, evidence-based social skills program designed for adults who want to build friendships, increase independence, and feel more confident navigating social situations. Through guided instruction, role-play demonstrations, and real-world practice, participants learn practical strategies for building and maintaining meaningful relationships.

    Young adults participate in the group while their caregiver, parent, support staff, or other designated social coach attends a separate coaching session at the same time. Social coaches learn how to support skill practice outside of sessions, help participants follow through with assignments, create opportunities for social interaction, and reinforce the strategies taught during the program. This structure is an important part of the PEERS® model and helps ensure skills are successfully applied in real-world situations.

    Topics covered in the program include:

    • Developing and maintaining friendships
    • Conversational skills
    • Entering and exiting conversations
    • Appropriate use of humor
    • Handling direct and indirect bullying
    • Electronic communication and social media
    • Organizing get-togethers
    • Handling disagreements and conflict
    • Identifying potential romantic partners
    • Asking someone on a date and navigating dating situations

    The program also includes the PEERS® Dating Skills curriculum, which focuses on developing healthy romantic relationships. Dating sessions are scheduled separately from the core friendship lessons so participants can first build foundational social skills before applying those skills to dating and relationships.

    Participants who would like additional support focused specifically on dating may also enroll in the PEERS® Dating Skills Program as a standalone service.

    A social coach is a required part of the PEERS® program. If a participant does not have a caregiver, family member, or support person available to serve in this role, our team may be able to provide a trained social coach for an additional fee.

  • Ages: 18+ for groups, 14+ for individual

    Duration: 4 weeks, 90 minutes

    Format options: online, in person (in select areas), individual sessions, group sessions

    The PEERS® Dating Skills Program is an evidence-based intensive program designed for adults (18+) who are interested in developing and maintaining romantic relationships. The program focuses on teaching practical strategies for navigating dating, building healthy relationships, and increasing confidence in romantic social situations.

    Participants learn and practice concrete skills for meeting potential partners, planning dates, communicating effectively, and navigating common challenges that arise in dating and relationships.

    Participants will learn topics such as:

    • Finding and choosing appropriate romantic partners
    • Asking someone on a date
    • Planning and participating in successful dates
    • Understanding healthy relationship boundaries
    • Developing helpful dating habits and communication skills
    • Handling conflict and rejection in relationships

    This program is already included as part of the PEERS® for Young Adults program, where dating skills are introduced after participants have built foundational friendship skills.

    The PEERS® Dating Skills Program may also be taken as a standalone service for individuals who would like focused support specifically related to dating and romantic relationships.

  • In addition to the core PEERS® program, we offer optional services that provide support before or after the program to help participants prepare for group learning or continue practicing social skills.

    Prep for PEERS® (Pre-Group Training)

    Duration: 60-minute individual sessions

    Prep for PEERS® is a short-term individual coaching service designed to help participants prepare for successful participation in the PEERS® group program. These sessions focus on developing the skills needed to engage in a structured, group-based learning environment.

    Participants work on skills such as following group expectations, participating in structured discussions, practicing role-play activities, listening and responding to others, and building comfort interacting with peers in a group setting.

    This service can be helpful for individuals who may benefit from additional preparation before joining a social skills group so they can enter the program ready to participate, engage with peers, and benefit from the group learning format.

    PEERS® Booster Sessions

    Duration: 60-minute sessions

    Booster sessions provide ongoing opportunities for participants to continue practicing and strengthening their social skills after completing the PEERS® program.

    These sessions are scheduled social practice opportunities where participants can continue applying the skills they learned during the program.

    When multiple participants attend, booster sessions function as small social practice groups. When fewer participants attend, the session may include more individualized coaching and feedback.

FAQ

  • PEERS® (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills) is an evidence-based social skills program originally developed at UCLA. The program teaches practical, step-by-step strategies to help individuals build and maintain friendships, navigate social situations, and develop meaningful relationships.

    Participants learn specific social skills through structured lessons, role-play demonstrations, and guided practice, and are given opportunities to apply these skills in real-world situations. The program focuses on concrete strategies that help individuals initiate conversations, connect with peers, handle common social challenges, and build lasting friendships.

    PEERS® is widely used by clinicians and educators and has been extensively researched and shown to improve social skills and friendship outcomes for adolescents and young adults.

  • PEERS® is a research-based, highly structured program that teaches concrete, step-by-step social strategies rather than abstract concepts about social behavior. Participants learn specific skills such as how to start conversations, join group interactions, organize get-togethers, and navigate common social challenges.

    The program uses evidence-based teaching methods including structured lessons, role-play demonstrations, guided practice, and real-world homework assignments so participants can apply the skills they are learning in everyday situations.

    A key part of the PEERS® model is the involvement of a required social coach. While participants attend the group, their caregiver, parent, support staff, or other designated social coach participates in separate coaching sessions to learn how to support skill practice outside of sessions. Social coaches help reinforce strategies, create opportunities for real-world practice, and support follow-through between sessions.

    This combination of structured group learning and social coach involvement helps participants build confidence and successfully apply their social skills beyond the program, leading to stronger long-term outcomes

  • After submitting an application, a member of our team will contact you to schedule an intake appointment. During this meeting, a PEERS®-certified coach will learn about your goals, strengths, and social challenges and help determine whether group participation or individual coaching would be the best fit.

  • Intake Assessment

    $150 (one-time appointment)

    Before joining a group or beginning individual sessions, participants complete an intake assessment. During this meeting, a PEERS®-certified coach will learn about the participant’s goals, strengths, and social challenges and recommend the most appropriate program or support plan.

    Core Programs

    PEERS® Social Skills Group Program

    Adolescents (11–17) & Young Adults (18+)

    16 sessions — $3,200 total program cost

    Includes:

    • 16 weekly PEERS® group sessions (90 minutes each)
    • Required social coach participation for a caregiver, parent, support staff, or other designated support person
    • Separate social coach coaching sessions held alongside participant sessions
    • Structured lessons, role-play demonstrations, and real-world practice assignments
    • Support for practicing skills and applying strategies outside of sessions

    Young Adult programs also include the PEERS® Dating Skills curriculum, with dating sessions scheduled separately after foundational friendship skills are introduced.

    A social coach is a required part of the PEERS® program. If a participant does not have a caregiver, family member, or support person available to serve in this role, our team may be able to provide a trained social coach for an additional fee.

    PEERS® Dating Skills Program
    4 sessions — $500 total program cost
    May be taken as part of the Young Adult program or as a standalone service.

    PEERS® for Individuals (1:1)
    16 sessions —$3,200 total program cost

    Individual PEERS-based coaching for participants who would benefit from a fully individualized format or additional support practicing social skills.

    Prep for PEERS® (Pre-Group Training)
    Prep for PEERS® helps participants build the foundational skills needed to be successful in a structured group-based learning environment.

    Sessions focus on following group expectations, participating in discussions, engaging in role-play activities, listening and responding to others, and building confidence interacting with peers.

    Package Options:

    • 4 sessions — $500 total
    • 6 sessions — $750 total

    PEERS® Booster Sessions
    $100 per session

    Follow-up sessions that provide continued opportunities for participants to practice and strengthen social skills after completing the PEERS® program. Booster sessions may be conducted as small group social practice sessions or individualized coaching, depending on participation and scheduling.

    Funding Options

    Services may be funded through the Self-Determination Program (SDP). Final costs and billing structures may vary depending on an individual’s spending plan.

  • Group sessions provide opportunities to practice social skills with peers in a structured and supportive environment. Individual sessions are conducted one-on-one and tailored to each person’s goals, offering a more personalized and flexible approach. Individual coaching can be especially helpful for those who want to build confidence, practice specific skills, or receive additional support before joining a group program.

  • What is a social coach?

    In the PEERS® program, a social coach is someone who helps participants practice and apply the social skills they are learning outside of sessions. Practicing skills between sessions is an important part of the PEERS® model because it helps participants use what they learn in real-world situations.

    Traditionally, social coaches are parents, caregivers, or trusted support people who help participants review homework assignments, create opportunities to practice social skills, and encourage follow-through with strategies learned in the program.

    At Behavior Compass, social coach support is built into the program and provided by a trained coach. This allows participants to receive guidance both during group sessions and through individualized coaching between sessions to help reinforce skills and support real-world practice.

    Caregivers and support staff are still welcome to be involved if they would like additional guidance on how to support their learner. Our team can provide coaching and consultation on how to reinforce the strategies taught in the PEERS® program and create opportunities for successful skill practice outside of sessions.

  • PEERS® is designed for individuals who are motivated to improve their social skills and build meaningful relationships. It is especially appropriate for those who may struggle with making or maintaining friendships, understanding social cues, or navigating social situations.

    The program is commonly used to support neurodiverse individuals, including autistic individuals, and those with ADHD, social anxiety, or related challenges, but can benefit anyone seeking to strengthen their social confidence and connection with others.

PEERS® Program Interest Form