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Supporting Social Skills & Meaningful Connections
What is PEERS®?
PEERS® (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills) is an evidence-based social skills training program designed to help adolescents and young adults develop meaningful relationships. Originally developed at UCLA, PEERS® is supported by over a decade of research demonstrating its effectiveness in improving social confidence, communication, and friendship-building skills.
Who is it for?
Our PEERS® Group is ideal for:
✅ Young adults aged 18–35 who are looking to strengthen their social skills
✅ Those wanting to improve peer interactions, conversations, and build lasting friendships
✅ Individuals with autism, ADHD, social anxiety, depression, or related social and emotional challenges
The PEERS® program consists of two groups:
- Participant Group – Young adults learn practical, real-world social skills through structured lessons, role-plays, and guided practice.
- Social Coaching Group – A family member or support person (Social Coach) learns how to help the participant apply these skills at home and beyond. All Participants must have a Social Coach who can attend weekly sessions.
The program runs for 16 weeks in small groups (6–12 participants). Social Coaches receive training to provide constructive feedback and support during weekly socialisation assignments.
What will participants learn?
Through structured lessons and interactive activities, participants will gain practical strategies for:
- How to initiate and maintain conversations.
- Managing conflict and making positive first impressions.
- Using humour effectively.
- Electronic communication.
- How to make and keep friends.
- Appropriate ways to handle peer interactions.
- Understanding social cues and body language.
- Handle rejection, teasing, bullying, rumours/gossip & cyber bullying.
- Dating skills.
- Handling dating pressure.
- Each session builds upon the previous week.
Start Date: First week of May 2025 (Thursday, 1st May)
Location: 12 The Avenue, Hurstville
Time:
- Young Adult Sessions: Thursdays, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm (90 minutes)
- Social Coaching Sessions: Fridays, 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm (75 minutes), starting 2nd May
Duration: 16 weeks
Group size: 6 to 12 participants
Session Costs & Payment Terms
- Cost: $350 per week (includes 90 minutes for the young adult + 75 minutes for their social coach).
- Deposit required: For Medicare-rebated, private, and NDIS self-managed participants, a $700 deposit (equivalent to two weeks’ payment) is required to secure enrolment.
- Plan-managed NDIS payments: Full payment required upon registration.
For Medicare rebates, clients must pay the session fee upfront and submit a claim to Medicare. Providers may assist with processing claims.
Payment Options
1. Medicare Rebate – Participants may be eligible for a $66.65 rebate per session for up to 10 group sessions per year under Medicare. A Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) from a GP or psychiatrist is required.
- The gap-payment for Medicare group sessions contributes to the Medicare Safety Net, potentially reducing out-of-pocket costs.
2. NDIS – The PEERS program can generally be claimed for self-managed or plan-managed participants. It is typically funded under the Capacity Building category, specifically:
- Increased Social and Community Participation – Innovative Community Participation (09_008_0116_6_3)
- Increased Social and Community Participation – Community Participation Activities (09_011_0125_6_3)
- Improved Relationships – Individual Social Skills Development (11_024_0117_7_3)
- Improved Daily Living – Community Engagement Assistance (15_045_0128_1_3)
- > Important: Participants should confirm eligibility with their NDIS plan manager or support coordinator. Only self-managed and plan-managed NDIS funds can be used.
3. Private Health Insurance – Clients should check with their provider to confirm eligibility and rebate amounts.
4. Private Payment – Participants can also pay directly for the program.
Why Join Our PEERS® Group?
✔️ Facilitated by experienced Clinical Psychologists
✔️ Small group setting for individualised attention
✔️ Practical, real-world skill-building
✔️ “Social coach” involvement to reinforce learning at home
Fun Facts & Evidence-Base:
> Originally developed at UCLA, the world-renowned PEERS® program has been translated into over a dozen languages and is used in more than 150 countries worldwide.
> PEERS® teaches ecologically valid social skills—the same strategies naturally used by socially successful individuals.
> The program equips participants with practical, real-world strategies to navigate social interactions confidently in school, the workplace, and community settings.
> PEERS® is grounded in research and has been proven effective in helping participants improve their social skills and form meaningful relationships, including:
- Improvement in social assertiveness, cooperativeness, and self-control.
- Significant improvements in social responsiveness, due to the programs attention to receptive and expressive social communication skills.
- Improved empathy and perspective-taking. This may be due to an increase in mentalising ability, leading to an increased understanding of other’s mental and emotional states.
- Reduced self-reported loneliness due to greater participation in social activities and hobbies, as well as the development of meaningful friendships.
- Increased frequency of social invitations extended to the participant.
- Reduction in social anxiety, and increasing overall social functioning.
2025 Group Facilitators
Janice Tang
B Psych (Hons), M Clin Psych
Jessica Taylor
B Sc Psych (Hons), M Psych (Clin)