PEERS® FOR ADOLESCENTS

The PEERS® Program for Teens is UCLA’s internationally recognised, evidence-based social skills training designed for adolescents aged 13–17. Run by experienced teen psychologists, this evidence-based group helps young people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, anxiety, or depression develop confidence, resilience, and real-world friendship skills. Backed by decades of research, it is one of the only evidence-based programs of its kind, shown to improve friendship skills, confidence, and emotional wellbeing.

Teens participate in structured lessons, role-plays, and social practice activities, while parents/carers attend concurrent sessions to become trained “social coaches.” This ensures skills learned in the clinic are reinforced and maintained at home and in the community.

Why It Matters

Adolescence brings new and complex social challenges—from navigating group dynamics and reputations to managing social media. Adolescence can be particularly tough for neurodiverse teens who struggle with social skills, anxiety, or peer challenges. This program gives teens practical tools for making and keeping friends, managing conflict, and handling teasing or bullying all while building long-term emotional resilience.

The PEERS® for Teens program directly addresses these challenges by teaching practical, evidence-based strategies to help teens:

• Build and maintain friendships
• Handle conflict, teasing, and bullying
• Improve confidence in social settings
• Strengthen emotional resilience

Sessions are fun, interactive, and empowering. Most teens who complete PEERS® make meaningful gains in their social skills and enjoy the process.

Program Structure

• Duration: 10 weeks (90-minute weekly sessions)
• Format: Structured lessons with concrete strategies, supported by role-plays and behavioural rehearsals
• Homework: Weekly assignments to generalise skills into real-world settings
• Parent/Carer Involvement: Parents and carers attend concurrent sessions to act as their teen’s “social coach”

Skills Covered

Conversation & Friendship Skills

• Trading information and finding common interests
• Having two-way conversations
• Entering and exiting conversations
• Choosing appropriate friends
• Organising a get-together

Communication Style

• Using humour appropriately
• Respectful electronic communication
• Practising good sportsmanship

Handling Challenges

• Responding to teasing or embarrassing feedback
• Dealing with bullying and negative reputations
• Handling disagreements
• Managing rumours and gossip

Participation Requirements

• Friendship Difficulties: Teen has challenges making or keeping friends
• Age: High school students, 13–17 years
• Motivation: Teen must be willing to participate
• Voluntary: Participation must be agreed to by the teen
• Commitment: Attendance required for all sessions
• Parent/Carer Involvement: A parent or carer must attend each session
• Behavioural Requirements: Teen must not present with significant behavioural difficulties (e.g., aggression)
• Funding: NDIS packages and Medicare rebates may apply

Proven Results

The PEERS® teen psychologist program in Sydney has been validated worldwide. Research shows teens improve in friendship-making, communication, conflict resolution, and anxiety management. Parents report stronger connections at home, while teens report lasting gains in confidence and wellbeing.

Studies consistently show:

• Improved social skills and reciprocity
• More frequent peer get-togethers and new friendships
• Better quality friendships and social confidence
• Positive outcomes for both teens with ASD and ADHD