Friendship, Social Skills, and Executive Function Therapy for Kids & Teens in Haddonfield, NJ
We teach friendship, social communication, and executive function skills in ways children and teens can use in real life — at home, at school, and throughout the community.
Friendship, Social Skills & Executive Functions
Using PEERS® 🤝 we focus on friendship, conversational, and other social skills — we break things down step-by-step so they know what to do, how to do it, and why it’s important. Are they struggling with teasing or bullying? We can help with that, too.
Using Unstuck & On-Target!® 🧠 we help them stay flexible, think about the other person’s perspective, and develop plans so they can reach their goals.
Individualized instruction and role plays reflect their individual strengths, goals, and needs.
We work with most older children and teens individually, and occasionally through dyads when a good match is found.
Not sure? Have questions?
Start with a free 30-minute consultation.
Bring your child, meet Ellen, talk through your concerns, and get help deciding the best next step. Available in the office or online.
Why South Jersey Families Choose Our Social Skills & Executive Function Services
Structured, evidence-based social skill building through PEERS®
Socially-relevant executive function development through Unstuck & On-Target!®
Low-pressure practice and confidence-building
Parent training, real-world carryover, and gentle social coaching
“My 13-year-old son had been struggling with social skills and making friends. After his sessions, my son turned to me and said, ‘Mom, I wish I had this last year.’ It changed his life. He has friends now and engages people so much more. My 12-year-old daughter also took her sessions. When she meets new people, she introduces herself on her own and strikes up a very appropriate conversation. Bottom line is Ellen changes lives. I could not imagine where we would be without her.”
— Christine
Questions about Friendships, Conversations, and Social Skills
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Yes — we will teach them the skills needed to do exactly that.
But, real progress takes work outside of the office. You’ll want to:
Pay attention to what they’re learning and talk about it at home
Practice the skills together at home, over the phone with family members, and at gatherings
Remind them of the skills they’re focusing on before they head off to school or other activities
Have them join a new activity so they can practice with unfamiliar peers and get natural feedback
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Many children and teens feel unsure about social situations or have had difficult peer experiences.
Our services provide a supportive, neurodivergent-friendly environment where participants can learn new skills and confidently practice them.
Over time, new skills and practice lead to more successful social interactions and those interactions lead to more confidence.
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Yes. Cheerful Chatter routinely uses PEERS® concepts and materials as part of individualized social communication therapy.
Instead of a formal PEERS® group, skills are taught during individual sessions — customized to each individual’s needs.
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PEERS® teaches practical, research, and evidence-based strategies for building and maintaining friendships and handling difficult social situations.
There are numerous topics! They include understanding and using body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice; figuring out what the other person thinks, feels, and wants to do; handling teasing, bullying, and other forms of conflict; conversation skills, entering and exiting group conversations, using humor appropriately, and maintaining friendships over time.
We individualize our approach so time in therapy is spent on exactly what they need — nothing more, nothing less — saving valuable time and resources!
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Yes — PEERS® is backed by decades of research and evidence, and we have seen it make a meaningful difference for many kids and teens.
We use PEERS® strategies as part of individualized therapy, allowing us to focus on the specific friendship and social communication skills each child or teen needs.
When needed, we also incorporate lessons and strategies from Unstuck & On-Target!® to address flexibility, perspective-taking, planning, and other socially-relevant executive function skills.