Answers to the questions
we hear most.

No. A formal diagnosis is not required. The best candidates are individuals who struggle socially and are motivated to work on it. We work with children, teens, and adults at all stages, whether they have a diagnosis or are still figuring things out.

PEERS® works best for individuals who have a genuine desire to make friends and build social connections. If your child or young adult is motivated (even a little), the structured curriculum can help them develop real, lasting skills. If you're not sure, call us. We're happy to talk it through.

PEERS® is a structured group curriculum. Think of it more like a class than a therapy session. Participants learn specific social skills through instruction, role-play, and homework assignments. It's evidence-based and skills-focused, not talk therapy.

Many families do both PEERS® and individual therapy at the same time. The two complement each other well.

Fill out our enrollment form or give us a call at 763.250.1004. We'll set up a brief intake call to make sure we're the right fit, confirm your placement, and get you registered.

Every participant meets one-to-one with Angie or Joan twice before their first group session. The first is a clinical intake you can do from home, where we talk through what has been happening and what you are hoping your child gets out of the group. The second is an in-person session where we prepare your child for what the group will be like and set two or three specific social goals in their own words. Both sessions are included in the program cost. If you are using insurance, they are billed to your plan like any other session.

These sessions let us get to know your child before day one, understand what is actually hardest for them socially, make sure a group is the right setting, and give them a familiar adult in the room before they walk in.

Each PEERS® session runs 10 weeks. Classes meet once a week for 60 minutes. Most families see meaningful progress by the end of the session, and some choose to repeat the program as a refresher.

Parents attend a concurrent group that runs at the same time as their child's group. You'll learn exactly what your child is learning, including the specific language and strategies, so you can coach and practice at home between sessions.

Groups are intentionally small, capped at 8 participants. We keep them this size so every participant gets individualized attention and has real opportunities to practice.

Yes. We run sessions year round. Current openings are listed on the enrollment page. Space fills quickly, so we recommend registering early.

We look at developmental fit, not just age. Our Early Adolescent and Adolescent groups deliberately overlap at age 13, so a 13-year-old can join either one depending on where they are developmentally. If you’re unsure, let’s talk. We can help you figure out the best placement.

We see children, adolescents, adults, and families. Our therapists have particular expertise with autism, ADHD, anxiety, depression, and related challenges, but we welcome anyone navigating social or emotional difficulties.

Yes. Social anxiety is one of our core areas of focus, and we work with it across all ages. Whether it's a child who dreads the cafeteria, a teen avoiding group situations, or an adult who finds everyday social interactions exhausting, we have targeted approaches for each stage of life. Our therapy and PEERS® programming both address the skills and confidence-building that help people move through social anxiety at their own pace.

Yes. Telehealth is available for individual therapy, family therapy, and parent coaching for Minnesota residents. We use a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform.

Absolutely. Many families do both. The group curriculum and individual therapy complement each other well. PEERS® builds the skills, and therapy provides the emotional support and processing that helps them stick.

We require at least 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule an individual or family therapy session. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours' notice will be charged a cancellation fee.

That depends on your goals. Some families need short-term, focused support. Others find ongoing therapy valuable over a longer period. We'll talk through what makes sense for you at intake and revisit it regularly.

We're at Peace Lutheran Church, 20 Northdale Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55448. Easy parking, accessible building.

All fall groups meet on Monday evenings for ten weeks, October 19 through December 21, 2026. Children’s PEERS® (ages 8–10) meets 4:30–5:30pm, Early Adolescent PEERS® (ages 11–13) meets 6:00–7:00pm, and Adolescent PEERS® (ages 13–17) meets 7:15–8:15pm. Groups run through Thanksgiving week without a break.

Yes. We have daytime availability for individual therapy, family therapy, and parent coaching, including hours while children are at school, which many parents find easier than trying to fit an appointment around the evening. Get in touch and we’ll find a time that works.

Life happens. Contact us as soon as you know and we'll schedule an individualized makeup session.

Yes. We are currently in-network with HealthPartners, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, UnitedHealthcare, UMR, Medica, and Minnesota Medical Assistance. We are currently out-of-network for other plans, but we are happy to discuss your situation and provide any documentation needed for reimbursement. We also accept HSA cards and waiver funding.

We are currently out-of-network for plans other than HealthPartners, BCBS of Minnesota, UnitedHealthcare, UMR, Medica, and Minnesota Medical Assistance. We're happy to discuss your options and provide documentation to help you seek reimbursement directly from your carrier. We also offer private pay rates and have a limited number of reduced-rate slots. See our Pricing page for more details.

Our classes are provided by licensed mental health professionals and may be billed to insurance as group therapy, so coverage that applies to group therapy may apply, depending on your policy. For in-network plans (HealthPartners, BCBS MN, and Minnesota Medical Assistance), we handle billing directly. For other plans, we recommend calling your insurer to ask about your group therapy benefits. We're happy to provide documentation to support your claim.

We have a limited number of reduced-rate slots available. Please ask us about availability when you reach out.