Give Your Child the Tools to Build Meaningful Friendships — For Life
An evidence-based social skills group for pre-teens & teens who struggle with making and keeping friends
Does your child…
Struggle to start or maintain conversations?
Get left out of social gatherings?
Have trouble understanding social cues or hidden rules of conversation?
Feel anxious or unsure about making friends and keeping them?
You’re not alone. And more importantly—this can change.
The PEERS® Social Skills Program at Pyzza Speech Therapy is here to help.
INTRODUCING
THE PEERS PROGRAM
A Proven, Research-Based Social Skills Group for Kids Who Need Support with Friendships
PEERS® (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills) is an evidence-based social skills training for kids who need direct, explicit coaching in how to make and maintain friendships in a way that feels natural to them.
This is not just another "social group" where kids are expected to figure it out as they go.
In PEERS®, we break down social interactions step-by-step, giving your child the exact tools they need to confidently connect with peers, navigate friendships, and handle tricky social situations — all in a supportive, neurodiversity-affirming environment.
ENROLLMENT IS OPEN ON A ROLLING BASIS.
(But spots are limited, and I only run the group three times a year.)
Sign up below to get all the details about my upcoming groups.
“I’ve noticed increased confidence (even her teacher commented on this!), she’s more open to trying new social situations/groups, and is doing better with the back and forth of a conversation.”
— PARENT
What Your Child Will Learn in PEERS®
✔️ How to Start and Maintain Conversations – The key to keeping friendships alive.
✔️ How to Handle Rejection, Teasing, and Bullying – Strategies to stand up for themselves while staying safe and socially connected.
✔️ How to Navigate Electronic Communication – Group chats, texting, and social media—without the overwhelm.
✔️ How to Join a Group of Peers – No more standing on the sidelines feeling left out.
✔️ How to Plan and Host Social Gatherings – Because friendship happens outside of school too!
✔️ How to Resolve Disagreements and Handle Conflict – Friendships come with challenges, but your child will be prepared.
And most importantly—how to build genuine friendships that last.
“It's easy to see the difference in the friendships he's been able to cultivate at school and in the increased interaction with his siblings and me and my husband at home.”
— PARENT
PEERS® Is More Than Just a Group — It’s a Lifelong Social Toolkit
And as a parent, you play a key role too!
Unlike traditional social skills groups, PEERS® is designed with parent coaching built in, so you can actively support your child’s progress at home.
During our weekly sessions, you’ll also learn how to coach your child in applying these new skills, giving them the confidence and practice they need outside of group sessions.
Imagine what it would feel like to see your child…
✨ Excited to hang out with friends instead of feeling left out
✨ Feeling confident in conversations instead of anxious or awkward
✨ Navigating social situations with ease instead of feeling unsure
It’s possible. And PEERS® can help them get there.
Meet Your Child’s Guide to Social Confidence
Hi, I’m Gabby!
I specialize in helping pre-teens, teens, and young adults who struggle with social skills learn how to confidently connect with others and build meaningful friendships.
If you’ve ever felt frustrated, heartbroken, or unsure of how to help your child navigate friendships, you’re not alone. I know how tough it can be to watch them struggle — to see them left out, misunderstood, or unsure of what to say in social situations.
That’s exactly why I teach PEERS®.
I’ve helped countless families just like yours:
✨ Give their child the tools to navigate social interactions with confidence
✨ Increase social engagement without stress or pressure
✨ Improve self-esteem, reducing anxiety around making friends
✨ Develop lasting, meaningful friendships
✨ Strengthen family communication and connection
And I know I can help your child, too.
The ability to build friendships isn’t about personality — it’s about learning the skills to connect in a way that feels natural to them. And with the right guidance, they can do it.
You don’t have to figure this out alone. I’m here to support you and your child every step of the way.
And I’d be honored to support your family on this journey. 💛
“This group has been so helpful! Gabby is fantastic, and my daughter has enjoyed the group so much. 10/10 would recommend!”
— PARENT
Curious if PEERS is the right fit? I’ll send over all the details so you can explore your options!
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
I’d love to hear from you!
If you're ready to join the PEERS program but still have a few lingering questions before signing up, send me an email or book a call!
I’d be happy to chat through anything on your mind and point you in the right direction.
In the meantime, you might find the answers you’re looking for here:
PEERS PROGRAM FAQS
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The PEERS program is an evidence-based social skills intervention created by UCLA, designed for pre-teens, teens, and young adults to improve their ability to make friends, navigate social interactions, and build confidence in social settings. It covers topics such as developing friendships, improving conversational skills, handling disagreements, and more.
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Before enrolling, you’ll complete a questionnaire and we will connect in depth to ensure that the program aligns with your child's needs and goals. I’m here to support you every step of the way and want to make sure this is the right fit for your pre-teen, teen, or young adult's journey toward improved social skills and confidence. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any concerns or questions – I’m here to help!
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The PEERS program is suitable for pre-teens, teens, and young adults who struggle with social skills, making friends, or feeling confident in social situations. It is designed to provide practical strategies and support for improving social interactions.
If your child struggles with any of these aspects of social interaction, then the PEERS program at Pyzza Speech Therapy could be a great program to help them improve their social skills!
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If you're unsure whether the PEERS program is right for your pre-teen, teen, or young adult, I highly encourage you to schedule a consultation call so that we can discuss your child's specific needs and goals to determine if the program is a good fit.
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The PEERS program is different from other social skills programs because it is based on scientific research, was created at UCLA, and is led by a certified practitioner trained in the PEERS curriculum. This ensures that your pre-teen, teen, or young adult receives high-quality, effective and structured training to support their social skills development. With the PEERS program, you can feel confident that your child is receiving the best-in-class social skills training from a certified professional.
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If you happen to miss a session during the program, please understand that we are unable to reschedule missed sessions or provide individual instruction for those who fall behind. The lessons in the PEERS program are structured to build upon each other, so consistent attendance is important for your teen's progress.
Although you will not receive a make-up session, we can connect briefly to discuss what was covered during that week and discuss the week’s homework assignment to ensure your child’s progress continues.
We understand that unexpected circumstances may arise, and we are open to discussing those situations if they occur. We encourage participants to prioritize attending each session to get the most out of the program, as consistent attendance helps your child stay engaged and make steady progress. Please note that refunds will not be provided for missed sessions. We're here to support you and your teen along the way and are excited to see their growth throughout the program!
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Results can vary for each individual and depend on the level of practice outside of the weekly sessions. It's important to note that while the PEERS program provides valuable skills and support, we cannot guarantee specific outcomes such as making friends or developing exceptional conversation skills. By enrolling in this program, your child will have the opportunity to learn and grow, but the outcome may vary for each participant. Rest assured, we're here to support your child's journey every step of the way!
“He’s learned new skills, is happy to attend the group, and he’s starting to communicate more with peers!”
— PARENT
Ready to give your child the gift of friendship?
The next PEERS® group is filling up fast, and spots are limited to ensure each participant gets the attention they need.