Peers® for Adolescents
PEERS® for Adolescents is an evidence-based social skills intervention for motivated teens in middle and high school who are interested in making and keeping friends and/or handling conflict and rejection. Teens and parents attend 16-weekly group sessions for 90 minutes per week. Teens are taught social skills through didactic lessons and role-play demonstrations, and practice these skills during group socialization activities. Parents attend separate sessions simultaneously and are taught how to assist their teens in making and keeping friends. Parent participation is required. Teens will learn about: developing and maintaining friendships, conversational skills, entering and exiting conversations, electronic communication, using humor appropriately, organizing get-togethers, being a good sport, handling disagreements, changing a bad reputation, and handling teasing and bullying.
What are the participation requirements?
Have friendship problems
Teens in middle school or high school
Teens must be interested in attending the program
Teens must agree to participate in the program voluntarily
Teens must consistently attend the program
Parent must be willing to participate
When and where do groups meet?
Duration: 16 weeks, 1x/week
Planned Days: Friday evenings, starting Feb. 2026
Where: Vermont Center for Resiliency, Burlington Waterfront
How do I apply to participate?
Contact Ayla at ayla@vtresiliency.com or (802) 242-1561 to schedule an intake appointment
Come to VCR (parent and teen) for a 60-90 minute intake appointment to determine if our program is appropriate for you and your teen
Group Trauma Treatment in Early Recovery
Created by Judith Lewis Herman, MD and Diya Kallivayalil | Offered by Vermont Center for Resiliency
At the Vermont Center for Resiliency, we are honored to offer Group Trauma Treatment in Early Recovery, a pioneering model developed by psychiatrist and researcher Judith Lewis Herman, MD—renowned author of Trauma and Recovery.
This group treatment approach is specifically designed for people in the early stages of recovery from interpersonal violence. It provides a structured, compassionate, and safe environment where participants can begin to rebuild trust, strengthen coping skills, and move toward healing in community.
About the Program
Focus on Safety: The first stage of trauma recovery is safety. This group emphasizes stabilization—helping participants feel grounded and supported as they begin their healing journey.
Skill Building: Through guided practices, participants learn tools for self-regulation, stress management, and healthy connection.
Community Healing: Healing from trauma happens in relationships. Group members support each other in reclaiming voice, agency, and dignity.
Evidence-Informed: Rooted in Dr. Herman’s decades of clinical research and widely recognized framework for trauma recovery.
Who Can Join
This group is open to adults in early recovery from:
Domestic and intimate partner violence
Childhood abuse (physical, emotional, sexual, etc.)
Other forms of interpersonal trauma
Participants are encouraged to engage in some form of stability-oriented care (such as outpatient therapy, recovery support, or case management) to benefit most from the group process.
What to Expect
Brief initial telephone interview
In-person interview
10 Weekly 60-minute group sessions
Small group size for safety and connection
Facilitated by trauma-informed clinicians trained in Dr. Herman’s model
Practical skills and psychoeducation blended with supportive sharing
Next Steps
If you are interested in learning more or enrolling in Group Trauma Treatment in Early Recovery:
📞 Call us at: (802) 242-1561
📧 Email: ayla@vtresiliency.com
