Call us
South Florida Community,
New York & Connecticut
(305) 936 - 1002
- Home
- MeetOur Team
- Services
- Adult Services Division
- Areas ofSpecialty
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD)
- Anxiety Disorders
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Behavioral Concerns
- Eating Disorders
- Family Related Issues
- Mood Disorders
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Psychological Factors Affecting General Medical Conditions
- School and Academic Issues
- Social Skills
- Trauma
- Forms &Payment Info
- Locations
- Contact Us
What is PEERS®?
PEERS® (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Social Skills)
PEERS® is a caregiver/social coach-assisted evidence-based social skills intervention for motivated adolescents and young adults who are interested in learning ways to help them make and keep friends. This program includes 2 groups that run simultaneously. While the adolescent and/or young adult group is occurring, the caregiver/social coach group is also attending a group. During each group session, the adolescents and young adults are taught important social skills and are given the opportunity to practice these skills during socialization activities.
Topics Discussed in Groups:
PEERS® Adolescent Group (Ages 14-18)
- Addressing Bullying & Rejection
- Hosting & Good Sportsmanship
- Initiating & Maintaining Conversations
- Managing Disagreements
- Successful Get-Togethers with Friends
PEERS® Young Adult Group (Ages 18-30)
- Conflict Resolution
- Conversation Skills
- Dating Etiquette
- Steps for Developing a Friendship
- Strategies for Remaining Socially Connected
Groups will be offered in person starting this Fall! Our PEERS® Group Series is a 16-week commitment. Click on the flyer above for more information.
Meet our PEERS® Group Facilitators:
Amrita Singh, PsyD
Ashley Ratzlaff, M.S
Alexis Bitting, LMHC, PhD
Diana Acevedo, M.S., CCC-SLP
Elis Rimeris, M.S., RMHI
Isabel Hernandez, M.S.
Julia Martinez, M.S., LMHC
Lexy Jacobs, M.S., RMHI
Veronica Western, M.S., RMHI
Our PEERS® clinical team have all been trained in the Adolescent and Young Adults Program and have completed several successful PEERS® groups.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Browse our social skills webpage for information on PEERS® programs.
- Contact our staff about specific questions.
- Fill out social skills group registration form (available online).
- Schedule and attend 30-minute consultation with group facilitator.
- Join weekly PEERS® group to learn new social skills while having fun.
PEERS® groups are held once-a-week for 75-minutes. Families commit to a 16-week series with adolescent/young adult group that run at the same time as the caregiver/social coach’s group.
Placement is determined by social needs and age, primarily. During the initial 30-minute group consultation, the group facilitator meets with caregiver(s)/social coach and adolescent/young adult to determine their social needs and treatment goals, as well as to gather pertinent background information.
Please note that PEERS® groups have a set schedule (day/time of week). This information can be found on the PEERS® flyer.
We offer the option for you to schedule an abbreviated (30-minute) make-up session at the next group that the participant attends for PEERS®. If you need to miss a session, please notify the group facilitator, and ask about scheduling a make-up session.
While we are not in-network with insurance, we can provide you with a statement for you to present to your insurance for reimbursement. It would be best to request the statement at the end of the series (after all sessions in the series have been attended) so you have only one claim to submit. In addition, we advise that you contact your insurance provider in advance to review your benefits for these kinds of services.
