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The PEERS® Social Skills Program for Young Adults

ADULT SOCIAL SKILLS PROGRAM | AGES 18-35

Building Confidence, Independence and Meaningful Relationships.

PEERS® for Young Adults is an internationally recognised, evidence-based social skills program developed at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), designed to support young adults in building confidence, social understanding, and meaningful connections. The program focuses on practical, real-world social skills that support participants to develop and maintain friendships, navigate peer dynamics, and build healthy romantic relationships.

Through structured group sessions, step-by-step instruction, role-play demonstrations, and behavioural rehearsal, participants learn concrete strategies that can be applied across social, vocational, and everyday settings. Each participant is supported by a social coach who attends a parallel session, helping to reinforce learning and support the application of skills beyond the group environment.

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Young adults engaging in social activities
friendship & dating
REAL-WORLD SKILLS
SOCIAL COACH supported
CONFIDENCE & INDEPENDENCE

Why This Program Matters

Social connection plays an important role in emotional wellbeing, confidence, and independence in adulthood. For some young adults, forming and maintaining friendships and relationships can feel challenging, particularly as structured supports become less available after adolescence. This can lead to feelings of isolation, reduced confidence, and difficulty navigating social and relationship experiences.

PEERS® for Young Adults provides a structured and supportive environment where participants can learn and practise social communication, friendship, and relationship skills in a safe and supported setting.

Parent or Social Coach Involvement

A social coach is an important part of the PEERS® for Young Adults model. Coaches may include a parent, sibling, family member, mentor, life coach, or other consistent support person. Coaches attend a parallel session each week and are supported to guide skill development, provide feedback, and assist with practice in everyday settings.

Program Details

  • Age Range 18–35 years
  • Eligibility Suitable for young adults experiencing social challenges who are open to participating, engaging in sessions, and practising skills between sessions
  • Funding Options NDIS (Self and Plan-Managed), Medicare and private options available
  • Schedule Saturdays 1:30pm - 3:00pm (Terms 2 and 4)
  • get started Contact our team to learn more, discuss suitability, and secure a place in the next group

Who This Program May Be Suitable For

This program may be suitable if the young adult:

  • Finds it difficult to make or maintain friendships
  • Feels unsure how to initiate or sustain conversations
  • Would like support navigating dating and romantic relationships
  • Experiences anxiety or uncertainty in social situations
  • Would benefit from practical, step-by-step social strategies
  • Is open to participating, engaging in sessions, and practising skills between sessions

Skills Developed

Participants are introduced to practical, real-world social skills across key areas:

Conversation and Social Connection

  • Identifying shared interests and building connections
  • Starting, entering, and exiting conversations
  • Developing and maintaining appropriate friendships
  • Organising and hosting get-togethers

Communication and Social Etiquette

  • Using humour appropriately
  • Communicating effectively in online and digital settings
  • Interpreting and responding to social feedback
  • Strengthening social confidence and reciprocity

Managing Social Challenges

  • Responding to teasing, rejection, and embarrassing feedback
  • Managing bullying and reputational challenges
  • Managing disagreements and conflict
  • Responding to rumours and gossip

Dating and Relationships

  • Letting someone know you like them
  • Understanding dating etiquette and boundaries
  • Learning practical dating “do’s and don’ts”
  • Managing expectations within romantic relationships

What Makes This Program Different

  • Internationally recognised, evidence-informed program developed at UCLA and informed by ongoing research
  • Structured, step-by-step approach to social skill development
  • Emphasis on practical strategies relevant to everyday life
  • Social coach involvement to support practice beyond sessions
  • Use of video demonstrations, live role-plays, and behavioural rehearsal
  • Neuroaffirming approach that recognises strengths and supports autonomy
  • Designed to support a range of social and emotional presentations

What You Can Expect

This program is designed to support participants to:

  • Practise social communication and interaction skills
  • Develop insight into friendships and peer dynamics
  • Build confidence navigating social situations
  • Develop strategies for managing feedback, conflict, and social challenges
  • Increase familiarity with dating and relationship contexts

Program Structure

  • DURATION 12-week program
  • FORMAT Weekly 90-minute sessions for young adults, with a parallel social coach session
  • APPROACH Structured lessons incorporating behavioural rehearsal, video demonstrations, and real-world practice
  • PRACTICE BETWEEN SESSIONS Weekly social practice tasks to support skill development in everyday settings
  • SOCIAL COACH INVOLVEMENT A consistent social coach (e.g., parent, sibling, or mentor) is recommended to support reinforcement of skills beyond sessions

Research and Evidence

This program draws on a well-established evidence base in adult social development. PEERS® for Young Adults is informed by research including randomised controlled trials exploring social functioning in young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and related social challenges.

Research in this area has found:

  • Improved social skills knowledge
  • Increased social communication, cooperation, and assertion
  • Greater empathy and social responsiveness
  • Increased frequency of hosted and invited get-togethers
  • Reduced autism-related social mannerisms
  • Maintenance of gains at follow-up, with some skills continuing to improve over time

This body of research highlights the value of a structured, coach-assisted social skills model in supporting social participation and confidence in adulthood. Research has also explored the application of this model across a range of presentations, including ADHD, anxiety, low mood, and broader social-emotional differences. Outcomes may vary depending on individual factors, and participation does not guarantee specific results.

Delivery Options

This program is available through flexible delivery options:

  • FACE-TO-FACE Structured sessions delivered within a supportive in-person environment
  • ONLINE (Telehealth) Flexible, accessible sessions with continued coaching and guided participation
  • COMMUNITY-BASED OR PARTNER DELIVERY Delivered in selected settings to support skill development in real-world environments

Finding the Right Support

We understand that building friendships and navigating social and relationship experiences can feel challenging at times. Our team is here to guide you through the process, helping you understand your needs and determine whether PEERS® for Young Adults is the right fit, or recommend the most appropriate support option.

Ready to take the next step?

Contact our team to learn more or secure a place in the next PEERS® for Young Adults group.

Enquire About This Program Speak With Our Team

Feedback & Complaints

We are committed to providing a high standard of care and a positive experience for all individuals and families who access our services.

If something hasn’t met your expectations, we welcome your feedback. Sharing your concerns helps us understand your experience and make improvements where needed.

You are welcome to raise feedback directly with your clinician or contact our team using the form below. All feedback is taken seriously and will be responded to in a respectful and timely manner.

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