Growing up comes with big emotions, social pressure, constant change, and difficult decisions. Human Skills Lab gives young people a place to practice the skills that can help them understand what they’re feeling, express themselves more clearly, build healthier relationships, and trust themselves as they grow.
8 Weeks • Ages 11–15 • 60 Minutes Weekly • Small Closed Group • Paramus, NJ
Could this be a good fit for your child?
Human Skills Lab may be helpful for young people who:
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Have difficulty expressing what they feel or need.
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Feel overwhelmed by stress, change, or social situations.
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Want to feel more confident speaking up and participating.
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Need support navigating friendships and disagreements.
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Are learning how to set and respect boundaries.
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Want to make decisions with greater confidence.
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Could benefit from practicing these skills alongside their peers.
They don’t need to have everything figured out. This is a space to learn, practice, and grow at their own pace.
Adolescence deserves a space of its own.
Young people experience and communicate differently at every stage of life. Human Skills Lab meets them where they are, with activities and conversations created specifically for their age.
Learning in a small group also gives participants the opportunity to practice with peers, hear different perspectives, feel less alone in what they are experiencing, and build confidence through genuine connection.
What we’ll practice
Understand Yourself
Recognize emotions, thoughts, reactions, and body cues. Learn practical ways to manage stress and difficult moments.
Express Yourself
Listen, communicate clearly, speak up for what you need, and practice respectful boundaries and disagreement.
Trust Yourself
Recognize your strengths, make thoughtful decisions, solve problems, and recover from uncomfortable or challenging experiences.
Skills they can carry into everyday life
Throughout the eight weeks, participants will practice how to:
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Understand and name their emotions.
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Use practical tools to manage stress.
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Communicate with greater clarity and confidence.
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Recognize their personal strengths.
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Make more thoughtful decisions.
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Build healthier relationships and boundaries.
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Move through difficult moments with greater resilience.
Learning by doing
Each session uses conversation, interactive activities, role-play, and realistic scenarios to make these skills easier to understand and use in everyday life.
The focus is on practice, not performance. Participants can take part without being required to share personal experiences they would prefer to keep private.
Anticipated start date: Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Schedule: Wednesdays at 7:00 PM
Duration: 60 minutes weekly for 8 weeks
Location: La Sala, Paramus, New Jersey
Language: English
Program fee: $250 usd.
Facilitator: Catherine Amsellem
Assistant facilitator: Luu Mai
Human Skills Lab is a small, closed group. Families must complete a brief application so our team can learn more about each participant and confirm that the program is a good fit for their needs.
Submitting an application does not guarantee placement. Space is limited.
Facilitator: Catherine Amsellem
Caregivers are part of the process, too
Caregivers begin with a brief orientation before the first session. They also receive a midpoint check-in and closing feedback, while each participant’s privacy and the confidentiality of the group are respected.