Social Skills Coaching
What are social skills?
Social skills are how we connect with other people: starting and keeping a conversation going, reading tone and body language, taking turns, handling disagreement, and knowing what's expected in different settings. They matter for friendships, family life, dating and nearly every job.
They're also learnable. Plenty of adults who find social situations confusing or exhausting get noticeably more comfortable with practice and feedback.
What makes them harder
Some people never had much chance to practice. Others had it and lost ground. Common factors include autism, social anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, trauma, ADHD, long stretches of isolation, and years spent mostly online. Temperament plays a part too. Some people are simply more introverted, and that is fine; the goal is comfort and choice, not becoming someone else.
What we work on
Conversation. Opening lines, asking follow-up questions, and ending a conversation gracefully.
Listening. Showing you're paying attention and picking up on what's not said.
Nonverbal cues. Eye contact, facial expressions, personal space and tone of voice.
Conflict. Disagreeing respectfully, apologizing, and setting limits.
Work situations. Talking to a supervisor, small talk with coworkers, and asking for help.
Friendships. Finding people with shared interests and following up after a first meeting.
Practice in the real world
Role-playing in an office is a useful first step. It only goes so far. Sanare clinicians practice with clients in real settings: ordering at a café, chatting with a neighbor, joining a game night or a class. Before, we plan. After, we talk through what went well and what to try next time.
That cycle of plan, practice and review is how skills turn into habits. Clients are seen one to five times a week by a team of at least two clinicians, and social skills coaching often pairs with vocational coaching and exposure work for social anxiety.
Social skills coaching in Denver
We work with adults 18 and older across the Denver and Boulder metro. Reach out or call 303.476.1974.