Social Skills Training (SST)

Social skills training (SST) describes a cognitive-behavioral approach that teaches a range of interpersonal skills and relational behaviors to individuals who have difficulty interacting with others for some reason. This training includes training in skills such as conversation, eye contact, reading social cues, non-verbal communication, problem solving, and self-management.

SST can be used for young children who are beginning school or other social interactions for the first time. It is also used to help individuals with antisocial disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, social phobias, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other personality disorders. SST is also used in situations where an individual is recovering from alcohol dependence and helps them develop sober social skills and how to cope at parties and successfully avoid alcohol.