Social Skills Training (SST) is a behavioral approach that can help teach social skills to those who struggle within social settings and relationships. This approach is commonly used with children, and can also be an effective treatment option for those experiencing some anxiety disorders, autism, and developmental disabilities. Keep reading to discover 60 social skills questions you can ask your clients in therapy sessions.
SST can be used to improve a client’s ability to effectively communicate their thoughts and emotions effectively, initiate conversations, navigate social situations, and manage emotions during social interactions. Research has indicated that SST had a positive effect in early education settings for children who experienced difficulties with their social-emotional development.
Children who are living with autism spectrum disorder often benefit with SST. This approach can help them learn to interact with their peers, create friendships, and develop problem solving skills. This can be done with 1:1 instruction and in vivo exposure. Research has been exploring the benefits of using technology platforms to deliver SST, and has found promising results.
Social skills training can be especially helpful for those who experience anxiety in social situations. SST goes beyond typical suggestions to improve interpersonal relationships by looking at the role that mental health conditions play in social situations. Sessions can incorporate the use of modeling, roleplaying and telegraphing in therapy sessions.
Social skills training can be used to enhance the effects of other therapeutic approaches that focus on treatment conditions that contribute to social difficulties. This commonly includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT).
Getting Ready for Your First Social Skills Therapy Session with a New Client
When you’re preparing to meet a new client, it is often helpful to review the paperwork that you have received. Depending on the facility you work in, this can include referral paperwork, medical documentation, previous mental health treatment notes, or even an intake assessment. Reviewing this information can provide you with insight into the challenges that your client has been experiencing.
Social skills questions can be used with individuals of varying ages, including kids, adolescents, teens, and adults. Being mindful of the population that you work with, choosing activities that are age and developmentally appropriate. It may be helpful to organize resources before your session. This can include worksheets that focus on social skills training, like those provided by TherapyByPro. TherapyByPro is a high-end resource for mental health professionals offering a range of resources, including the following worksheets for social skills training:
- Social Skills Worksheets Bundle
- Social Skills Worksheet for Friendship
- Practicing Assertive Communication with a Friend Role Playing Worksheet
- Social Skills Worksheet for Self-Esteem
There are several ways that you can incorporate social skills training into your session. Keep in mind that social skills questions for kids will differ from the questions used with adolescents, teens, and adults. Examples of techniques that you may incorporate into your SST sessions include behavioral rehearsal or role-playing, corrective feedback, specific instruction, homework assignments, and positive reinforcement.
What Social Skills Questions Should I Ask In Sessions?
Before we dive into social skills questions that you can incorporate into your clinical work, we encourage you to be mindful of the age and developmental stage of your client. Social skills questions for middle school students will vary from those who are older and younger.
You can personalize any of the following questions to align with your client and their needs:
- What signs do you notice when someone is interested in what you’re talking about?
- How might you start a conversation with someone new?
- What are some behaviors or actions you can do to demonstrate that you’re listening to another person?
- What would you do if someone interrupts you when you’re speaking?
- What signs do you look for to know when it’s a good time for you to talk during a conversation?
- Can you describe personal space to me?
- Why do you think that personal space is important?
- How can you tell that someone is uncomfortable in a social situation?
- What would you do when you don’t understand a joke or someone’s sarcasm?
- Why do you think it’s important to ask about others’ interests?
- What are some topics that you think are inappropriate to talk about with new people?
- How would you respond to someone complimenting you?
- How do you feel when someone compliments you during a conversation?
- How would you express your feelings in a conversation?
- How do you feel about your ability to maintain eye contact?
- What are some signs that you can pick up on when someone wants to be your friend?
- What could you do if you’re feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated in a conversation?
- What can you do before a social event to calm your anxiety or worry?
- Can you tell me about how you handle awkward silences in conversation?
- Can you tell me about a time that you felt comfortable introducing yourself to someone new?
- How can you use positive affirmations before a social situation?
- In what ways do you think deep breathing can help you cope with anxiety in a social situation?
- How can you build confidence in making new friends?
- What helps you feel comfortable speaking up in a group setting?
- What could you do if you say, or do, something embarrassing?
- What are some safe conversation topics you can rely on?
- How do you think role-playing can build your confidence in social settings?
- What is a small social goal you can set for yourself?
- What does being assertive mean to you?
- What does it look like to be assertive?
- Why do you think boundaries are important?
- Can you think of a relationship where you have healthy boundaries?
- Can you think of a relationship where you could improve your boundaries?
- How do you feel setting new boundaries within a relationship?
- Can you tell me about a time when you ended a conversation without feeling awkward?
- How can you join a group activity?
- How can you practice asking for help?
- Why do you think it’s important to say “please” and “thank you” during conversations?
- Can you tell me how you would introduce yourself to someone new?
- What are some emotions that you have a hard time understanding?
- Can you think of any emotions that others express that make you feel uncomfortable?
- What helps you stay present during a conversation?
- How would you respond to criticism in a conversation?
- What can you do when you feel like withdrawing from social situations?
- What can you do to cope if you feel self-conscious in a group setting?
- How can you practice being more empathetic in conversations?
- How can you practice active listening during conversations?
- How can you build trust within a relationship?
- Why do you think that trust is an important component of relationships?
- Can you tell me about a person that you trust?
- What are some behaviors that indicate that someone is trustworthy?
- How can you show others that you’re trustworthy?
- How can you communicate “no” in an appropriate way?
- What can you do if you feel nervous in a situation or a conversation?
- What should you do if you feel unsafe in a situation or conversation?
- Can you tell me about a recent social situation that you felt went well?
- Can you tell me about a recent social experience that you feel could have gone better?
- What would you have done differently in that situation?
- What can you learn from the challenges you have experienced in social situations?
- What changes would you notice when you are making improvements in social situations?
Frequently Asked Clinical Questions
Below are FAQs clinicians are asking:
How does a clinician differentiate between standard situational communication gaps and criteria for formal Social Skills Training (SST)?
Evaluate whether their difficulties stem from transient shyness or indicate significant neurodevelopmental or psychiatric conditions like autism or social anxiety disorder. Standard situational gaps resolve as peer familiarity grows, whereas manualized Social Skills Training (SST) acts as a highly structured behavioral intervention designed to look at the role that mental health conditions play in social situations, improving conversational flow and relationship building across multiple life settings.
What is the recommended clinical protocol if a live behavioral rehearsal or role-play triggers a severe panic attack in session?
Gently pause the interactive role-playing exercise immediately and transition the client into active stress reduction techniques to restore a sense of calm. Avoid forcing them to maintain eye contact, answer conversation starters, or practice assertive communication scripts while their autonomic nervous system is hyper-aroused; instead, utilize deep breathing practices to safely down-regulate their anxiety before attempting further social exposure.
How should a practitioner handle a neurodivergent child who understands active listening rules in theory but frequently interrupts peers?
Transition the clinical intervention away from abstract discussion toward concrete, in vivo behavioral practice and structured 1:1 modeling instruction. Relying on basic verbal advice often fails to alter automated impulses during live peer interactions, meaning you must collaboratively use targeted role-play scripts in session to teach explicit cues, such as tracking body language or identifying personal space boundaries, before they join group environments.
When is it clinically appropriate to enhance Social Skills Training by integrating other evidence-based therapeutic modalities?
Incorporate adjacent frameworks like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), or Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) when a client’s relationship challenges are driven by deep-seated negative core beliefs or severe social anxiety. Combining these approaches allows you to challenge their underlying cognitive distortions regarding peer rejection while simultaneously using structured social skills activities to build real-world confidence.
Can an outpatient professional safely implement standalone social skills activities for an adolescent experiencing acute, unmanaged psychiatric distress?
No, active interpersonal exposures and social goal setting must be carefully delayed until comprehensive care coordination or a psychiatric evaluation achieves baseline stabilization. Attempting to force a highly overstimulated or unstable client to navigate complex social situations or process corrective feedback risks worsening their distress, increasing avoidance behaviors, and damaging the essential therapeutic alliance.
Final Thoughts On Asking the Right Social Skills Questions in Sessions
Thank you for taking the time to read about social skill questions for high school students, adolescents, and adults. Social skills training can be a helpful treatment approach for those who experience discomfort and other challenges in social situations. These challenges can affect a client’s friendships, family relationships, academics, professional performance, social life, and overall psychological wellness.
Reviewing social skills can improve your client’s confidence in a social situation. Social skills training can help your clients improve their interpersonal relationships. If you would like to learn more about social skills training and how you can incorporate it into your clinical work, we encourage you to explore available continuing education opportunities and other training experiences in your niche.
TherapyByPro is a trusted resource for mental health professionals worldwide. Our therapy tools are designed with one mission in mind: to save you time and help you focus on what truly matters-your clients. Every worksheet, counseling script, and therapy poster in our shop is professionally crafted to simplify your workflow, enhance your sessions, reduce stress, and most of all, help your clients.
Want to reach more clients? We can help! TherapyByPro is also a therapist directory designed to help you reach new clients, highlight your expertise, and make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.
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Resources:
- Soares EE, Bausback K, Beard CL, Higinbotham M, Bunge EL, Gengoux GW. Social Skills Training for Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Meta-analysis of In-person and Technological Interventions. J Technol Behav Sci. 2021;6(1):166-180. doi: 10.1007/s41347-020-00177-0. Epub 2020 Nov 17. PMID: 33225056; PMCID: PMC7670840.
- Social Skills Training. Institute of Education Sciences. (2013, February). https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/Docs/InterventionReports/wwc_socialskills_020513.pdf
- Social Skills Training (SST): A tool for Social Anxiety Disorder: In conversation with 2023 Adaa Annual Conference presenters. Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA. (2023, May 22). https://adaa.org/learn-from-us/from-the-experts/blog-posts/conference-professional/social-skills-training-sst-tool#:~:text=SST%20is%20not%20just%20a,More%20Clinicians%20Should%20Incorporate%20SST