Social Skills Group: Group Facilitator
Create neuro-affirming social learning spaces to enable confident social growth. In this course, you’ll learn how to design sessions, choose meaningful activities and support authentic social development for every participant.
Create Spaces that Help Clients Thrive
Develop the skills to structure sessions effectively, support peer interaction and help individuals build confidence they can carry into daily life.
The Social Skills Group: Group Facilitator course equips clinicians with evidence-based strategies to lead social skills groups effectively. The course explores the unique social experiences of autistic individuals and emphasizes anti-ableist treatment approaches. Clinicians learn to develop session agendas, select goal-aligned activities and apply facilitation techniques such as Behavioral Skills Training, rapport building and constructive communication. By the end, clinicians are prepared to deliver compassionate, affirming care that fosters meaningful social growth.
Implement best practices when facilitating a social skills group specific to a client’s age and developmental level.
Social Skills Group: Group Facilitator is an asynchronous, online course that learners complete at their own pace, with a focus on facilitating clients in social skills groups. The course includes a final exam to demonstrate knowledge proficiency.
The Social Skills Group is a supportive peer program led by trained professionals for school-aged children through young adults who need extra help building social skills. In this group, participants practice how to effectively interact, communicate and connect with others in a safe and encouraging environment. The focus is on learning practical skills such as joining and maintaining conversations, recognizing social cues, taking turns, managing conflict and developing friendships. Activities equip to be engaging and age-appropriate, giving participants opportunities to practice with peers while receiving coaching and feedback from facilitators. The ultimate goal is to help individuals build confidence, strengthen relationships and carry these social skills into everyday life at school, home and in the community.
Who should take this course?
Paraprofessionals and clinicians who take on the role of leading and facilitating social skills groups. These individuals are directly responsible for guiding group sessions, supporting peer interaction and creating opportunities for participants to practice and strengthen social communication skills.
Prerequisites
- N/A (Foundations of Neurodiversity recommended)
Who will you support?
Ages
- Children 6-12
- Youth/Teens 13-17
- Youth/Teens 13-17
Lindsey Sneed, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Developer and Instructor
Degrees/Credentials
- Licensed Psychologist #PSY34154
- Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, Walden University
- MS, Applied Psychology, Walden University
- MS, Educational Counseling, National University
- BA, Counseling Psychology, William Jessup University
- RUBI Certified
Current Position
- Vice President of Clinical Excellence, Catalight
- Adjunct Professor, University of San Francisco
Ready to Enroll?
Sign up for Catalight Academy to learn from behavioral health industry leaders.
Enroll Now