Social skills coaching for young adults is one-on-one help with starting conversations, making and keeping friends, handling group settings and building the confidence to put themselves out there. Blackburn pairs each young adult with one dedicated mentor who practices real situations with them and sets small weekly goals out in the world, by video anywhere in the United States or in person in Los Angeles.
Who social skills coaching is for
Young adults and their parents usually reach out in situations like these:
- A young adult who spends most of their time alone and wants that to change; see dealing with loneliness.
- A parent worried about an adult child with no friends, who seems stuck at home.
- A college student who has not found their people; see making friends in college.
- A recent graduate in a new city with no social circle; see making friends after college.
- An autistic young adult or someone with ADHD who wants practical help with social situations; see mentoring for autistic young adults.
- A professional who freezes in meetings, interviews or networking events.
Social skills coaching is not therapy. If social anxiety, depression or past trauma is the main barrier, a licensed therapist should come first, and a mentor can help put that work into practice. See therapy and mentoring together. In a crisis, call or text 988.
What coaching looks like week to week
- One dedicated mentor. The same person every week, matched to the young adult’s personality and interests.
- Goals they choose. One person wants two close friends; another wants to speak up at work. The goals belong to the young adult.
- Practice in session. Starting a conversation, keeping it going, making plans, texting a new friend and reading a group. Practice happens out loud, with feedback.
- Small steps in the real world. Each week includes one or two specific actions: joining a club, going to a class, inviting someone for coffee.
- Debrief and adjust. The next session starts with what happened, what went well and what to try next.
- Check-ins between sessions. A text before a nerve-racking event and a quick call after help keep momentum.
Sessions are usually 60 minutes, weekly or several times a week. Cost is reviewed on the free intro call.
Where friendships actually start
Most adult friendships grow from repeated contact: the same class, team, job or group, week after week. A big part of coaching is helping a young adult choose a few regular places to show up, then keep showing up. Our guide on how to be more social covers ideas that fit different personalities, including networking for introverts. New to the idea? Start with what coaching is and how it works. For a structured option, see coaching for young adults, a one-on-one program by video.
How it differs from group classes
- Group social skills programs: useful for practice with peers and often follow a set curriculum. One-on-one coaching follows the young adult’s own goals and schedule, and continues out in their real life.
- Therapy: treats anxiety and other mental health concerns. Coaching focuses on practice and weekly action.
- Parents helping directly: often feels like pressure to a young adult. A mentor is a neutral person to practice with.
How parents are involved
Parents often pay and can share their concerns on the intro call. The young adult sets the goals. With their permission, parents receive regular progress updates on attendance and progress, without the details of private conversations.
A sample month of coaching
In the first week, the young adult and mentor talk about what they want their social life to look like and where they feel stuck. In the second week, they practice the hardest part, often starting a conversation or suggesting plans, and pick one regular activity to try, such as a class, a club, a volunteer shift or a pickup game. In the third week, they debrief the first visit and plan a second one. By the fourth week, the goal is usually one small follow-up: a text to someone met there, or an invitation to grab food after.
Progress is rarely a straight line. A week that goes badly is still useful, because it shows exactly what to practice next.
What happens after you reach out
- A short assessment. The assessment takes about five minutes. It tells us about the young adult, the main goals and what the weekly schedule looks like.
- A free 20-minute intro call. A member of our team hosts the call by video in your browser, weekdays 9 to 5 Pacific. You can also book it directly on the intro call page. We talk through fit, scheduling and cost; we do not publish prices, so cost is reviewed on this call.
- A mentor match within 2 business days. After the call, we match the young adult with one dedicated mentor and set the first session. Mentors offer early morning, evening and weekend times.
Related
- Mentoring for young adults
- How to build confidence in your 20s
- Moving to a new city for work
- My teen has no friends: how to help an isolated teen
Common questions
Is social skills coaching only for autistic young adults?
No. We work with many young adults who feel shy, isolated or out of practice, as well as autistic young adults and those with ADHD.
Is this therapy?
No. Coaching focuses on practice and weekly steps. If anxiety or another mental health concern is the main barrier, a therapist should come first, and the mentor can coordinate with them with permission.
Can social skills really be practiced over video?
Yes. Conversation practice works well on video, and the real-world steps happen in the young adult’s own community between sessions. In-person sessions are available in Los Angeles.
Does my adult child have to agree?
Yes. They need to be willing to show up and try. The free intro call is a low-pressure way to see what it involves.
Will I hear how it is going?
With your young adult’s permission, you receive regular progress updates on attendance and goals.
Get started
Want to talk through whether social skills coaching fits you or your young adult? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.
Free, by video, 20 minutes, with a member of our team. Weekdays 9 to 5 Pacific.