Social Space

The PEERS® Friendship & Communication Bootcamp

INTENSIVE SKILLS WORKSHOP | teens and younf adults

PEERS® Friendship and Communication Bootcamp

A Focused Workshop for Building Real-World Social Skills

This psychologist-led, neuroaffirming bootcamp is designed to support participants in building confidence, improving communication, and developing real-world friendship skills using the internationally recognised PEERS® framework.

As an intensive, condensed version of the program, it delivers practical, evidence-based social skills in a focused and engaging format. Through structured, step-by-step instruction, role-play demonstrations, and guided practice, participants learn how to navigate conversations, build and maintain friendships, and manage social situations with greater confidence and clarity.

A Flexible Option

    This workshop offers a flexible format for those exploring group programs, as well as an opportunity to revisit and reinforce skills following previous participation.
Teens and young adults building friendships
INTENSIVE FORMAT
REAL-WORLD SKILLS
CONFIDENCE
CONNECTION

Why This Bootcamp Matters

Social communication and friendship skills play an important role in connection, independence, and everyday functioning.

For some teens and young adults, navigating social situations can feel challenging or uncertain. This bootcamp provides a structured and supportive environment where participants can explore these skills, practise them in real time, and build familiarity with social interactions.

Workshop Details

  • Date School holidays (Term 1 & Term 3)
  • Duration 2 full days (9:30am – 3:30pm)
  • Age Groups Teens (13–17) & Young Adults (18–35)
  • Location Mascot Clinic, Sydney
  • Funding NDIS (Self and Plan Managed), Medicare & private options available

Who This Is For

  • Teens and young adults wanting to build social confidence
  • Individuals who experience challenges with communication or friendships
  • Neurodivergent individuals (including Autism and ADHD)
  • Those who would benefit from structured, step-by-step social skills learning
  • Participants motivated to engage in learning and practice

What to Expect

  • SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT Small-group setting designed to support participation and engagement
  • INTERACTIVE LEARNING Role-plays and real-life scenarios to support understanding
  • guided practice Structured behavioural rehearsal with coaching and feedback
  • practical STRATEGIES Approaches that can be explored and applied in everyday situations

What Participants Will Learn

Through structured learning, participants are introduced to skills across:

Conversation Skills

  • Starting conversations in a natural way
  • Maintaining two-way conversations
  • Exiting conversations appropriately

Friendship and Connection

  • Building and maintaining friendships
  • Identifying shared interests
  • FUnderstanding social reciprocity

Managing Social Challenges

  • Responding to teasing and peer challenges
  • Navigating disagreements and conflict
  • Understanding and maintaining boundaries

Communication Contexts

  • Navigating face-to-face interactions
  • Understanding online communication etiquette
  • Adapting to different social environments

What Makes This Bootcamp Different

  • Based on the internationally recognised PEERS® framework
  • Psychologist-led using structured, step-by-step teaching
  • Intensive format providing a focused learning experience
  • Real-time coaching and feedback during practice
  • Small group breakout sessions to support engagement
  • Neuroaffirming approach tailored to individual strengths

Limited Availability

This is a small-group workshop designed to support participation and engagement.

  • get starteD Availability is limited, particularly during school holiday periods. Early enquiry is recommended.

Finding The Right Support

We understand that building confidence in social situations can feel important. Our team is here to guide you through the process, helping you determine whether this workshop is the right fit, or recommend the most appropriate next step.

Ready to explore social confidence and connection in a structured, supportive environment?

Contact our team to learn more or secure a place in the next workshop.

PEERS®Friendship & Communication Bootcamp

Healthy Relationships Neurodiverse Teens

The PEERS® Friendship & Communication Bootcamp is an intensive, workshop-style program run by psychologists at our Sydney psychology clinic in Mascot. Designed for teens (13–17 years) and young adults (18–35 years) with autism, ADHD, anxiety, or social communication challenges, this bootcamp condenses UCLA’s world-renowned PEERS® curriculum into an engaging, interactive format. Participants learn evidence-based social skills, gain confidence, and build practical tools for everyday social success.

Benefits

  • Learn how to start, maintain, and exit conversations naturally
  • Build confidence in choosing and keeping friendships
  • Strengthen skills for planning and attending social gatherings
  • Develop strategies to manage disagreements, teasing, and peer challenges
  • Improve both online and face-to-face communication
  • Parents, educators, and carers gain coaching strategies to support skill use at home and school

Participation Requirements

  • Age Range: Adolescents (13–17) and young adults (18–35)
  • Suitable for: Individuals with Autism Level 1, ADHD, anxiety, or social communication difficulties
  • Availability: Offered during Term 1 and Term 3 school holidays

Why It Matters

Friendship and communication skills are essential for confidence, wellbeing, and independence. For many teens and young adults, social challenges can lead to anxiety, isolation, or missed opportunities for connection. The PEERS® Bootcamp in Sydney provides a safe, structured, and supportive space to learn, practise, and master these skills—empowering participants to form meaningful relationships and thrive in everyday life.

Topics Included

  • Choosing appropriate friends & finding sources of friends
  • Conversation skills (starting, entering, maintaining, and exiting)
  • Trading information and appropriate conversation topics
  • Electronic communication and online etiquette
  • Planning and organising social gatherings
  • Responding to and bringing up disagreements

Participation Requirements

  • Age Range: Adolescents (13–17) and young adults (18–35)
  • Suitable for: Individuals with Autism Level 1, ADHD, anxiety, or social communication difficulties
  • Availability: Offered during Term 1 and Term 3 school holidays

Why It Matters

Friendship and communication skills are essential for confidence, wellbeing, and independence. For many teens and young adults, social challenges can lead to anxiety, isolation, or missed opportunities for connection. The PEERS® Bootcamp in Sydney provides a safe, structured, and supportive space to learn, practise, and master these skills—empowering participants to form meaningful relationships and thrive in everyday life.

Topics Included

  • Choosing appropriate friends & finding sources of friends
  • Conversation skills (starting, entering, maintaining, and exiting)
  • Trading information and appropriate conversation topics
  • Electronic communication and online etiquette
  • Planning and organising social gatherings
  • Responding to and bringing up disagreements

Program Structure

Format

Small-group workshops with targeted social skills focus

Duration

Two full-day sessions (9:30 am – 3:30 pm) during school holidays

Delivery

Step-by-step instruction, role-play demonstrations, video examples, and behavioural rehearsals with direct psychologist coaching