The Need for Social Skills Now More than Ever

By: Seth Shaffer, PsyD, and Renee Viveros, PsyD

The COVID-19 Pandemic affected all of us in different ways. Children experienced delays in social and emotional learning and development because of the social isolation during the Pandemic. Another societal challenge that adversely impacts social skills and development in children is technology. Some educators (eg, 1st grade teachers) are experiencing challenges as they adjust to LAUSD’s screen time policies. Parents attempt to balance their child’s use of screen time as best they can at home. Even as young as elementary school aged children often need access to Google Classroom and the like to complete homework assignments. Screens are not going away, and they serve different functions in our society. This doesn’t take away from the fact that our children (really all of us) are on screens too much. Excessive use of technology can adversely affect vision, attention span and social communication skills. But there is hope. 

In order to help children ‘catch up’ socially and emotionally, and learn adaptive social communication skills we have to be vigilant. Seeking out a mental health professional to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges is key. 

Compass Clinic meets the needs of the community by offering several services to help children and families (including Regional Center clients) such as weekly social skills groups for all ages and a social skills daycamp for 5-15 year-olds. 

How does Compass Clinic meet the needs of children and families in the community? 

1. Free initial phone consultation with Dr. Seth Shaffer. Dr. Shaffer has worked at Compass Clinic for 14 years. He supervises all clinical facets of Compass Clinic, and helps families learn about the best fitting service for their child and family. 
2. Intake. The purpose of you bringing your child in to meet with one of our excellent clinicians is to make sure we get to know the ‘whole child’, make recommendations, and agree on a plan you are comfortable with moving forward. 
3. Programs we offer include:
   1. Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (7+)
   2. Parent Management Training 
   3. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (2-7)
   4. Social Skills Group Therapy (Preschool through High School)
   5. Psychodiagnostic Testing (All ages, cost effective)
   6. Social Skills Summer Camp, Friendship Island (5/rising Kinder up to 15 years)

Please contact Dr. Seth Shaffer (Seth@compassclinicla.com) to schedule a free ‘new client’ phone consultation and visit our website (CompassClinicLA.com) for more information about our services. 

Social Skills Group Curriculums

Because social development changes with age, Compass Clinic offers groups designed around different developmental needs.

Playtime Playgroup introduces toddlers and preschoolers to foundational skills such as sharing, taking turns, using words during frustration, tolerating others’ ideas, and participating in group activities.

COMPASS, for DK through first grade, uses play, role-plays, structured activities, and coaching to develop skills such as joining, sharing, conversational turn-taking, body awareness, flexibility, and reciprocal play.

LTC Playgroup (Learning to Cope…Learning to Cooperate…), for second through fourth graders, builds more advanced skills including emotional regulation, frustration tolerance, good sportsmanship, social cue recognition, cooperation, communication, and joining groups.

Key Skills Groups, for older children and adolescents, place greater emphasis on conversation, friendship development, social communication, perspective-taking, conflict negotiation, and the increasingly nuanced social situations that come with growing up.

Compass Clinic also offers specialty groups. Our Fantasy Role Playing Groups use collaborative storytelling to practice cooperation, communication, flexibility, and perspective-taking. Teen Talk provides adolescents with a therapist-facilitated space to discuss friendships, school stress, family dynamics, identity, and everyday challenges while practicing authentic communication and problem-solving.

And during the summer, Friendship Island provides a more intensive environment where children practice joining groups, communication, conflict negotiation, flexibility, and friendship skills through activities, games, sports, and real-time coaching.

Different formats. Different ages. Different developmental needs.

But one shared purpose: connection.

References

Benner, A. D. (2025). The COVID-19 pandemic and adolescents’ and young adults’ experiences at school: A systematic narrative review. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 35.

Magis-Weinberg, L., et al. (2025). The impact of COVID-19 on the peer relationships of adolescents around the world: A rapid systematic review. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 35.

Seshadri, M. (2026, September 14). How LAUSD teachers are adapting to accommodate screen time policy. EdSource. 

Stacheder, M., Oppermann, E., & Anders, Y. (2026). In the shadow of crisis: A systematic review and meta-analysis on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children’s social-emotional skills, behavioral adjustment, and psychological well-being. Child Development.

Yates, J., Young, C., & Mantler, T. (2025). Elementary students’ social, emotional, and cognitive development during the COVID-19 pandemic in North America: A scoping review. PLOS Global Public Health, 5(9).