Peers Social Skills Training

Adolescence is a sensitive transition period when young people try to find their identities and peer relationships become even more important than family. However, during this period, social rules change rapidly and become much more complex. As a parent, it can be heartbreaking to see your child having trouble joining a group of friends, being hesitant to start a conversation, or being bullied by peers in the digital world or at school. While many young people turn inward for fear of social rejection, all they actually need is to learn the "unwritten rules" of socialization in a correct and safe environment.

The PEERS program, developed by UCLA (University of California) and whose effectiveness has been proven all over the world by clinical research, aims to teach young people exactly these rules. Unlike traditional approaches, PEERS doesn't just tell young people "what to avoid"; shows them concretely and step by step "how to do it". This training is built on the foundations of cognitive and behavioral approaches; It focuses on vital skills that are fully relevant in real life, such as naturally engaging in a conversation, using humor correctly, texting and phone etiquette, organizing successful friend meetings, and coping with ridicule/bullying.

The most innovative and powerful feature that distinguishes the PEERS program from other social skills training is that it positions parents at the very center of the process, as "social coaches". While young people learn new skills and rehearse role-play techniques in their groups, parents simultaneously learn how to support their children in real life. Thanks to this system, the strategies learned in the clinic do not remain only in the session room; It is successfully transferred to school corridors, weekend plans and the young person's entire social life.

It should not be forgotten that social skills are not innate magical abilities; These are behaviors that are acquired by studying and practicing with the right strategies, just like learning a new language or doing sports. With the PEERS program, you can alleviate your teenager's social anxiety, provide him with solid communication strategies that will guide him throughout his life, and restore the peace of your family.