How to Find a PEERS Social Skills Group Near You

Why Finding a Certified PEERS Provider Matters

The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS) is one of the only social skills interventions with a robust evidence base from randomized controlled trials. Developed at UCLA by Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson and her colleagues, PEERS has been shown to produce measurable and lasting improvements in social functioning for teens and young adults, particularly those with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, anxiety, and other conditions that affect social interaction.

However, the strength of PEERS depends on fidelity to the manualized protocol. When the program is delivered as designed, with the specific curriculum, parent involvement component, and structured practice, outcomes are strong. When providers borrow elements of PEERS without following the full protocol, results become unpredictable. This is why verifying that a provider is genuinely certified in the UCLA PEERS method is an essential first step.

How to Verify UCLA PEERS Certification

What Certification Means

UCLA offers formal training and certification for clinicians who want to deliver the PEERS program. Certified providers have completed training directly through the UCLA PEERS Clinic or through UCLA-authorized training events. They have demonstrated competency in delivering the manualized curriculum and have agreed to follow the protocol with fidelity.

Steps to Verify

Check the UCLA PEERS Clinic website. UCLA maintains a directory of certified PEERS providers on their official site. This is the most reliable way to confirm that a provider has completed the required training.

Ask the provider directly. During your initial contact, ask when and where they completed their PEERS training, whether their certification is current, and whether they follow the full manualized protocol. A certified provider should be able to answer these questions clearly and without hesitation.

Look for the specific curriculum. The PEERS program follows a structured 16-session format for teens and a 16-session format for young adults. If a provider describes a significantly different structure, such as an open-ended group with no set curriculum or a program that runs for only four to six sessions, they may be offering a social skills group inspired by PEERS rather than the actual program.

Why This Matters

Many clinicians offer social skills groups that incorporate some PEERS concepts without delivering the full program. These groups may still have value, but they have not been validated by the same research that supports the certified PEERS protocol. If the evidence base is important to your decision, certification is a meaningful distinction.

Questions to Ask a PEERS Provider

Once you have identified a potentially certified provider, ask these questions to understand what the experience will look like.

How closely do you follow the UCLA PEERS manual? The ideal answer is that they follow it closely, with minor adaptations to fit the specific group's needs. Significant departures from the manual suggest the program may not deliver the outcomes shown in research.

What is the group size? PEERS groups typically include six to ten participants. Groups that are too small may not provide enough social practice opportunities. Groups that are too large can become difficult to manage and reduce individual attention.

How is the parent component structured? A defining feature of the PEERS program is its concurrent parent group. Parents attend their own sessions at the same time as their teens, learning the same skills and strategies so they can coach and support practice at home. If a provider does not include a parent component, they are not delivering the full PEERS program.

What is the age range of participants in this group? PEERS works best when participants are within a similar developmental range. A group that mixes 12-year-olds with 17-year-olds may not provide the most effective experience. Ask about how the provider groups participants by age and developmental level.

How do you assess whether my teen is a good fit for the group? Reputable providers conduct intake assessments before accepting participants. They should evaluate the teen's social functioning, cognitive ability, motivation, and any behavioral factors that could affect group dynamics. A provider who accepts all applicants without screening may not be maintaining the group conditions necessary for the program to work.

What happens after the 16 weeks? Ask about follow-up support, booster sessions, or alumni groups. Social skills development does not end when the program concludes, and providers who offer ongoing support demonstrate a commitment to long-term outcomes.

In-Person vs. Virtual PEERS Groups

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of virtual PEERS groups, and research has begun to evaluate their effectiveness. Both formats have advantages and limitations.

In-Person Groups

In-person delivery is the original format and the one most extensively studied. It allows for real-time social practice with peers in a physical environment, nonverbal communication practice including body language and eye contact, and naturalistic social interaction during unstructured moments such as arrival and breaks. For teens who struggle most with in-person social interaction, practicing in the environment where those challenges occur has clear therapeutic value.

Virtual Groups

Virtual PEERS groups have expanded access significantly, particularly for families in areas without local certified providers. Research on virtual delivery is still emerging, but early studies suggest that virtual PEERS can produce meaningful improvements in social skills. Virtual groups may also be more accessible for teens with transportation barriers, social anxiety that makes in-person attendance initially overwhelming, or scheduling constraints.

Making the Decision

If both options are available, consider your teen's specific challenges. A teen whose primary difficulty is in-person interaction may benefit more from practicing those skills face to face. A teen who is not yet ready for in-person group settings may engage more effectively in a virtual format initially, with the option of transitioning to in-person later.

What to Do If No Certified Provider Is Nearby

Not every community has a certified PEERS provider within a reasonable distance. If this is your situation, several alternatives are worth considering.

Virtual PEERS groups with certified providers. Because virtual delivery has become more common, you may be able to access a certified provider in another part of your state or region. Licensing requirements vary by state, so confirm that the provider is licensed to practice where your teen is located.

The PEERS book for parents. Dr. Laugeson has published "The Science of Making Friends," which outlines the PEERS curriculum in a format that parents can use at home. While this is not a replacement for a facilitated group, it provides the same evidence-based strategies and can be a useful supplement or starting point.

Other evidence-based social skills programs. If PEERS is unavailable, look for programs that share key features: a structured curriculum, a parent involvement component, practice with same-age peers, and a basis in published research. Ask providers what evidence supports their approach and whether their program has been studied in controlled trials.

Individual therapy with social skills focus. A therapist experienced in social skills development can work with your teen individually, using PEERS concepts and other evidence-based strategies. This lacks the peer practice component but can still build foundational skills.

PEERS Providers in the Bethesda and Maryland Area

The greater Washington, DC, metropolitan area, including Bethesda and surrounding Montgomery County, has a relatively strong concentration of PEERS-certified providers compared to many other regions. This is partly due to the area's proximity to major research institutions and the high demand for evidence-based autism and social skills services.

When searching for providers in this area, start with the UCLA PEERS Clinic directory and cross-reference with local autism resource organizations and developmental pediatricians who maintain referral lists. Practices that specialize in autism spectrum services often either offer PEERS directly or can connect you with certified providers.

Insurance coverage for PEERS groups varies. Some providers bill group sessions through insurance, while others charge a flat program fee. Ask about costs upfront and whether the provider can supply documentation that you can submit to your insurance company for potential out-of-network reimbursement.

Taking the Next Step

Finding the right PEERS group requires some research, but the investment of time pays off. A certified provider delivering the full PEERS protocol gives your teen the best chance of experiencing the outcomes demonstrated in the research literature. Start with verification of credentials, ask thorough questions, and trust your assessment of whether the provider and the group are a good fit for your teen's specific needs.