Available for the 25-26 Training Year
PROGRAM DESCRIPTON:
This on-site intervention is one of the only evidence-based social skills interventions in the world. PEERS® is an international program, used in over 150 countries and has been translated into over a dozen languages. This program, developed at UCLA by Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson, instructs youth about important elements of socialization including making and keeping friends and handling peer conflict and rejection. Didactic lessons related to appropriate dating etiquette are also provided in the young adult groups. Separate parent/caregiver and child/teen/young adult sessions are conducted concurrently for 90-minutes each week. Sessions are structured to include homework review, didactic presentation, role-playing demonstrations, and behavioral rehearsal exercises. Parents/caregivers are taught how to assist youth in making and keeping friends by providing performance feedback through coaching during weekly in vivo socialization homework assignments. Youth are taught important social skills through didactic instruction, role-plays, and behavioral rehearsal during socialization activities. Interns rotating through this elective will be invited to attend a three-day certified training seminar on PEERS® at no charge to them. Attendance is optional.
Client population served: PEERS® for Preschoolers is appropriate for children 4-6 years of age with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other social challenges. PEERS® for Adolescents is appropriate for middle and high school teens between 11-18 years of age with a variety of presenting problems, including ASD, ADHD, learning disabilities, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and adjustment disorders. PEERS® for Young Adults is appropriate for individuals 18-35 years of age who are struggling to develop and maintain meaningful relationships. All youth have at least average cognitive functioning, are socially motivated to make and keep friends, are behaviorally and emotionally regulated, and have a parent/caregiver willing to participate in treatment.
DAY, TIME AND LOCATION:
• PEERS® for Preschoolers: Thursdays, In-person: 2:30 – 5:30 pm; Telehealth: 2:30 – 7:30 pm
• PEERS® for Adolescents: Wednesdays, 3:30 – 8:00 pm
• PEERS® Educational Groups: Tuesdays, 3:00 – 7:30 pm
• PEERS® for Young Adults: Mondays, 3:30 – 8:00 pm
• PEERS® for Dating: Thursdays, 2:30 – 8:00 pm
• PEERS® for Careers: Wednesdays, 3:00 – 8:00 pm
HOURS PER WEEK:
PEERS® for Preschoolers is approximately 4-6 hours per week. IN-PERSON GROUPS: Group supervision is conducted for 60 minutes prior to the start of groups (2:30–3:30 PM) and 30 minutes following the groups (5:00–5:30PM). Social skills groups are conducted from 3:30–5:00 PM. One hour is allotted each week for prep time and note taking. TELEHEALTH GROUPS: Group supervision is conducted for 60 minutes prior to the start of groups (2:30–3:30 PM). Parent-only social skills groups are conducted over zoom from 4:00–5:30 PM and 6:00-7:30 PM. One hour is allotted each week for prep time and note taking. Trainees can opt to rotate through the clinic for 4, 6, or 12-month rotations and will be directly involved in the implementation of the treatment lessons.
PEERS® for Adolescents is approximately 6 hours per week. Individual supervision is 30-60 minutes per week, depending on the involvement of the trainee in the implementation of the group, and is scheduled on an individual basis. Group supervision is conducted for 45 minutes prior to the groups from 3:30–4:15 PM. Two social skills groups are conducted from 4:30–6:00 PM and 6:30–8:00 PM. 30 minutes are allotted each week for prep time and note taking. Trainees can opt to rotate through the clinic for 4, 6, or 12-month rotations and will be directly involved in the implementation of the treatment lessons.
PEERS® Educational Groups are approximately 6 hours per week. Individual supervision is 30-60 minutes per week, depending on the involvement of the trainee in the implementation of the group, and is scheduled on an individual basis. Group supervision is conducted for 45 minutes prior to the groups from 3:00–3:45 PM. Two social skills groups are conducted from 4:00–5:30 PM and 6:00–7:30 PM. Trainees can opt to rotate through the clinic for 4, 6, or 12-month rotations and will be directly involved in the implementation of the treatment lessons.
PEERS® for Young Adults is approximately 6 hours per week. Individual supervision is 30-60 minutes per week, depending on the involvement of the trainee in the implementation of the group, and is scheduled on an individual basis. Group supervision is conducted for 45 minutes prior to the groups from 3:30–4:15 PM. Two social skills groups are conducted from 4:30–6:00 PM and 6:30–8:00 PM. 30 minutes are allotted each week for prep time and note taking. Trainees can opt to rotate through the clinic for 4, 6, or 12-month rotations and will be directly involved in the implementation of the treatment lessons.
PEERS® for Dating is approximately 6 hours per week. Individual supervision is 30 minutes per week, depending on the involvement of the trainee, and is scheduled on an individual basis. Group supervision is conducted for 75 minutes prior to the groups from 2:30–3:45 PM. Two social skills groups are conducted from 4:00–5:30 PM and 6:30–8:00 PM. Trainees can opt to rotate through the clinic for 4, 6, or 12-month rotations and will be directly involved in the implementation of the treatment lessons.
PEERS® for Careers is approximately 6 hours per week. Individual supervision is 30 minutes per week, depending on the involvement of the trainee, and is scheduled on an individual basis. Group supervision is conducted for 60 minutes prior to the groups from 3:00–4:00 PM. Social skills groups are conducted from 5:30–8:00 PM with breaks at 5:15 PM and 7:00 PM. Trainees can opt to rotate through the clinic for 4, 6, or 12-month rotations and will be directly involved in the implementation of the treatment lessons.
FACULTY AND STAFF:
Elizabeth Laugeson, Psy.D., Director
Shannon Bates, Psy.D., Associate Director
Christine Moody, Ph.D., Director of Research
Elina Veytsman, Ph.D., Director of Clinical Services
Nastassia Hajal, Ph.D., Attending Psychologist
Lucy Vo, Ph.D., Attending Psychologist
Sarah Bruce, Ph.D., Attending Psychologist
Leila Glass, Ph.D., Attending Psychologist
Rebecca Kammes, Ph.D., Attending Psychotherapist
TRAINING PROVIDED:
Training and weekly group supervision are provided for conducting this parent-assisted cognitive behavioral-based social skills interventions for preschoolers, adolescents, and young adults.
SUPERVISION PROVIDED:
Method of Supervision: Direct Observation
Format: Individual and Group
Hours Per Week: 30-90 minutes per week (.5 hr group, .5 hr individual)
Days and Times: Flexible
Names of Supervisor(s): Elizabeth Laugeson, Psy.D., Shannon Bates, Psy.D., Elina Veytsman, Ph.D., Christine Moody, Ph.D., Nastassia Hajal, Ph.D., Lucy Vo, Ph.D., Sarah Bruce, Ph.D., Leila Glass, Ph.D.