Peer Relationship Therapy for Children & Teens
Helping Your Child Build Fulfilling Friendships and Social Confidence
Peer relationships are central to children's development, affecting their self-concept, emotional well-being, and even academic success. When children struggle socially—whether due to shyness, social anxiety, friendship conflicts, bullying experiences, or social skills challenges—it can impact every aspect of their lives. As both a licensed therapist and mother of three San Francisco teenagers, I understand the crucial importance of helping young people develop healthy social connections.
Peer relationship therapy provides children and teens with a safe space to explore social challenges, develop effective interpersonal skills, and build confidence in their ability to form and maintain meaningful friendships. Whether your child struggles with making friends, maintaining friendships, navigating social conflicts, or recovering from painful peer experiences, specialized therapeutic support can transform their social experience and self-perception.
Ready to help your child develop social confidence and fulfilling friendships? Book a free 15-minute consultation to discuss how we can work together to build these essential life skills.
Understanding Social Challenges in Children & Teens
Social difficulties can manifest in many ways across development:
Younger children: Difficulty sharing, taking turns, joining play, or understanding others' perspectives
School-age children: Friendship conflicts, group dynamics challenges, exclusive behavior
Tweens and teens: Social anxiety, peer pressure, complex social hierarchies, digital communication issues
Social challenges often coexist with other issues like anxiety, depression, ADHD, self-esteem concerns, or experiences of bullying, divorce, or frequent moves. They may also emerge during major life transitions like changing schools or neighborhoods.
My Approach to Peer Relationship Therapy
My therapeutic approach to social challenges combines several evidence-based methodologies:
Social skills training: Developing concrete communication, cooperation, and conflict resolution abilities
Cognitive behavioral techniques: Addressing negative social thinking patterns and building confidence
Role-playing and practice: Creating safe opportunities to rehearse social interactions
Emotion coaching: Enhancing emotional awareness and regulation in social contexts
Social problem-solving frameworks: Building systematic approaches to friendship challenges
Group therapy options: Providing structured opportunities for real-time social learning
As both a therapist and mother of three teenagers in San Francisco, I bring professional expertise and real-world understanding to our work together. I'm familiar with the unique social landscape of San Francisco schools and neighborhoods, including the intense academic pressures, diverse peer groups, and complex social dynamics our city's youth navigate.
Signs Your Child May Benefit from Peer Relationship Therapy
Consider reaching out if your child:
Expresses loneliness or difficulty making friends
Faces frequent peer rejection or exclusion
Shows anxiety about social situations or avoids them
Has limited interaction with peers outside of structured activities
Experiences recurring conflicts with friends
Demonstrates lagging social skills like reading social cues or perspective-taking
Has experienced bullying or negative peer experiences
Shows significant social anxiety or worries about what others think
Supporting Parents of Socially Struggling Children
Parents play a crucial role in supporting children's social development. Through our work together, I'll help you:
Understand your child's unique social challenges
Create appropriate opportunities for social growth
Coach your child through friendship difficulties
Balance supporting independence with providing guidance
Address social media and technology challenges
Collaborate with schools on social issues when needed
For parents seeking additional guidance, I also offer specialized parent coaching sessions focused on supporting children's social development.
Begin Your Child's Journey to Social Confidence
While social challenges can be painful, with the right support, children and teens can develop remarkable social skills and confidence that will serve them throughout life. As both a licensed therapist and mother of three teenagers here in San Francisco, I bring professional knowledge and compassionate understanding to our therapeutic relationship.
Contact me today for a free 15-minute consultation to discuss how we can work together to help your child develop the social skills and confidence they need to build fulfilling friendships.
