We watch social moments happen — but we’re not part of them. PEERS® teaches the concrete steps that close that gap.
PEERS® (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills) is an evidence-based social skills programme developed at UCLA. It teaches how to make and maintain friendships using concrete, scripted steps, coached practice and real-life homework. PEERS® is suitable for teens and young adults, including those with autism, ADHD, social anxiety or pragmatic language needs, who want practical tools to connect.
Key benefits
- Caregivers learn how to coach and reinforce skills at home.
- Learn evidence-based scripts to start and keep conversations.
- Practise in a safe group with coaching and feedback.
- Receive supported homework so skills transfer to school, work and community.
How the programme works (what happens each week)
Each session follows a predictable cycle so skills are learned, practised and applied:
- Teach the skill — clear steps + example scripts (e.g., conversation starters, organising hangouts).
- Role-play practice — participants practise with peers and coaches using scripts.
- Homework assignment — targeted social tasks for real-world practice (with caregiver support when relevant).
- Group reflection — share wins, troubleshoot hard moments, and plan next steps.
Sessions are interactive, scaffolded and practice-heavy. This is especially so since social skills need rehearsal, not just explanation.
PEERS® shows how to learn them, practise them, and keep them.
Who benefits most?
- Teens & young adults who want friends but struggle to initiate, maintain or repair interactions.
- Individuals with ASD, ADHD, social anxiety or pragmatic language needs.
- Anyone seeking confidence in conversations, group work or social invitations.
PEERS® is skills-based — therefore diagnosis is not required; motivation definitely is!
Evidence snapshot
UCLA’s PEERS® research has shown improvements in social skills, increased social engagement, and reduced social anxiety when the programme is delivered with fidelity and combined with caregiver coaching. Joyful Soul Psychology follows the PEERS® model and uses practical homework (involving social coach involvement where available) to promote real-world generalisation.
FAQs
Q: Is it just role-play?
A: No — role-play is paired with homework and reflection so skills generalise.
Q: How long is the course?
A: Typical PEERS® courses run 8–16 weeks depending on age and cohort; each week builds systematically.
Q: Will my teen be singled out?
A: No. Groups are small, skills are taught collaboratively, and handouts are provided to support practice gently.
Testimonial
The PEERS programme boosted my confidence in myself and my social skills. It helped me stop self-blaming for not making friends in my current class and made me less sensitive about making mistakes when others might not even care that much. I also kind of overcame my shyness through this. — PEERS participant (anonymised)
PEERS was most helpful in teaching how to start conversations and ways to handle bullies. — PEERS participant (anonymised)
Ready to try PEERS®?
If social moments feel frustrating or isolating, PEERS® can help. Check out our PEERS modules and ask about our next cohort. We will match learners to the right cohort.