Social skills interventions

Who is suitable for a social skills intervention?

Any young person up to the age of 25 may be suitable for a social skills intervention at HSR Psychology.

Social skills intervention could be a suitable intervention for young people who: 

• Struggle to make friends
• Show anxiety in situations which involve socialising
• Find it difficult to cope with meeting new people
• Appear rude or impolite when speaking to others
• Struggle to express their thoughts or feelings to others
• Find it difficult to use and understand non-verbal gestures e.g body language to communicate
• Are isolated from peers due to little interaction 
• Struggle to share with others
• Find it difficult to empathise with peers

If you would like to learn more about the benefits of a social skills intervention for yourself or those in your life, please contact us to speak to a member of the HSR Psychology team.

What are the benefits of a social skills intervention?

Social skills interventions bring several different benefits into the child or young person's life, including:

• Improved ability to establish relationships
• Increased confidence in social situations
• Understanding and using non-verbal gestures to communicate thoughts and feelings
• Greater self-esteem due to increase in positive interactions
• Improved productivity in class e.g. in group work
• Increased sense of belonging

Followinga social skills intervention some recommendations will be suggested for supporting the progress of the child or young person’s skills outside of the intervention setting. 

What happens prior to a social skills intervention?

We can offer social skills interventions after the initial discussion. Our process can be read below.

What happens during a social skills intervention?

During a social skills intervention, young person or the child will often work with the HSR Psychology professional to identify specific social skill difficulties. The HSR Psychology professional may use techniques such as roleplay and prompts to improve the individual’s social skills. The HSR Psychology specialist will often help to promote healthy relationships through improved social skills. The individual may be taught techniques for improving empathy, sharing and confidence in socialising with peers. The individual will be encouraged to practice their socialising techniques in daily life and will gain feedback from the HSR Psychology specialist. Information about improving social skills will be provided to relevant carers in the individual’s life e.g. parents, teachers. 

What happens after a social skills intervention?

After a social skills intervention the young person should have learned strategies to maintain their improved social skills. Following a social skills intervention it may be suggested by us that we plan a number of follow up sessions, depending on the circumstances of the young person. Outcomes from a social skills intervention can be shared during a post-intervention feedback session or, if requested, a written report. The HSR Psychology team will support you throughout the whole process of a social skills intervention and will offer follow up support when intervention finishes.

Does a social skills intervention come with a report?

Usually we would always recommend a report following the intervention, however, if a written report is not needed then verbal feedback can be provided along with a brief summary.

A report includes what took place during the intervention process, the impact of this intervention and recommendations for proceeding in future. Our reports are thorough and highlight effective strategies for maintaining improved social skills. Get more information about our reports.