Today’s connected world requires constant social interactions! We need social thinking skills in order to:
Make friends
Deal with teasing
Improve eye contact
Gain conversation skills
Regulate emotions
Understand perspectives
Start a relationship
Interact successfully with family and friends
Gain independent living skills
Learn social repair and problem solving
Find and keep a job
Interact appropriately with teachers, co-workers and bosses
My approach
In Spotlight Social Skills sessions, we share joy and silliness, frustration and challenges. We role-play strategies for making friends and getting along with others in a small, comfortable and friendly environment, where it is easy to try something new and it is okay to make mistakes.
I help my clients gain social thinking skills with strategies and practice to increase confidence in meeting new people, making friends and having lively conversations. Social Thinking is the complex process of paying attention to our thoughts and those of everyone around us and then figuring out how to respond to others in an expected manner!
When social skills do not come easily, life can feel pretty isolated and lonesome! I work with my clients to gain skills in order to find their strengths and achieve their goals.
The reason we need social skills
We interact with our family members, peers, teachers, coaches, colleagues and bosses. We deal with others at recess, at the grocery store, navigating the hallways between classes and even driving. We use what Michelle Garcia Winner, the leading expert in this field, calls, “Social Thinking.”
Social thinking
Social Thinking is the complex process of paying attention to our thoughts and those of everyone around us and then making choices about our actions so that those around us think about us the way we want them to!
If we feel anxious or awkward in groups, initiating conversation and/or making small talk, then everyday interactions with family members, peers, teachers, coaches, colleagues and bosses can be overwhelming. We might just avoid social situations altogether!
My services
I am currently doing both individual and group therapy sessions over Zoom.
I work with high schoolers, college students, and adults who are struggling with the social skills necessary to finish school, get a job, make friends and find a life partner.
Insurance Reimbursement
Social Skills treatment, is often covered under Speech/Language Therapy as it is considered a Social Communication Disorder. I am a preferred provider for Premera Blue Cross and Lifewise insurance. For all other insurance plans, as a courtesy, I offer monthly billing and can send invoices for reimbursement directly to your insurance company per your request. It is important that you find out what speech/language/communication services your insurance policy covers.
For Billing and Scheduling concerns, please call Linda at 1-800-831-3322.