Chat Lab – Build Real-Life Conversation Skills
What is Chat Lab
Chat Lab is a communication program designed for people who want to grow their confidence, deepen connections and improve everyday conversational skills within a small, safe and supportive group environment. Through a strengths-based approach, participants are encouraged to explore their communication style, develop meaningful relationships and practise skills that can be used in real-world situations.
In addition, Chat Lab provides opportunities for participants to strengthen social interactions, build confidence in group settings and develop greater awareness of communication with others. Whether you are looking to feel more comfortable in conversations, improve your ability to connect with others or reduce misunderstandings during social interactions, Chat Lab gives you the opportunity to practise these skills with real people in a welcoming and supportive environment.
Why Join Chat Lab?
- Connect with new people in a safe, supportive setting
- Build confidence participating in group conversations
- Learn how to show interest and keep conversations flowing
- Develop self-advocacy skills to reduce misunderstandings
- Practice real-life communication with people around the same age
Who is this for?
- Young adults who have finished high school
- Young adults who want to build confidence in conversations
- Young adults who find group conversations challenging
- Young adults who want to develop friendships and social connections
- Young adults who want to practise self-advocacy
- Young adults who experience social communication differences
- Young adults who want to reduce misunderstandings in everyday conversations.
Cost
$225.00 per session
(1 hour per session – 8 week program)
Total cost: $1800.00
Program Style
- Small group setting for personalised learning
- Neuro-affirming, respectful & strengths-based facilitation
- Designed and led by experienced clinicians
- It is practical and supportive
Our clinicians tailor every session to encourage active listening, curiosity, connection and confidence within a welcoming and judgement-free environment. Through engaging activities and meaningful conversations, participants develop their social communication skills while building stronger connections with others. If you are looking for a social communication skills group for young adults, this program provides a supportive and practical environment where you can develop confidence and practise real-world communication skills.
Funding & Support
This program is suitable to support NDIS Capacity Building goals such as:
- Improved Relationships
- Social Interaction
- Communication
Service Agreement category:
Capacity Building – Community and Participation
You can include Chat Lab as part of your Program of Supports. NDIS participants and support coordinators can contact us to discuss eligibility.
Optional Add-Ons
To suit your needs and reporting requirements:
Progress Report – Available on request for an additional cost.
Mid-program or End-of-program Review Call – Phone consult available on request
How It Works
Each Chat Lab session combines guided discussion, interactive activities and reflective learning — all designed to build practical skills that transfer to everyday life. It’s not focused on role plays, but real conversation experiences with clinician support.
Why Innerlink Therapy?
Innerlink Therapy (formerly Speech in Focus) is a NDIS-registered provider delivering speech pathology and occupational therapy services grounded in evidence and functional outcomes. Practitioners bring deep experience supporting communication, social participation and neurodiversity-affirming practice.
Ready to Join Chat Lab?
Connect with our team to:
✔ Check dates and capacity
✔ Discuss NDIS goals and funding
✔ Start your Chat Lab journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Chat Lab program suitable for? Chat Lab is designed for young adults who would like to build confidence with social communication, conversation skills and connecting with others. The program is suitable for individuals who have finished high school and want to develop practical communication skills in a supportive, small-group environment with people of a similar age and interests.
What skills does Chat Lab help develop? Chat Lab supports participants to develop real-life communication and social interaction skills, including starting and maintaining conversations, active listening, showing interest in others, understanding different perspectives, self-advocacy and building confidence in group settings. Each session provides opportunities to practise these skills through guided discussions, interactive activities and meaningful conversations.
Can NDIS funding be used for the Chat Lab program? Yes. Chat Lab may be accessed through NDIS funding as a Program of Support under Capacity Building – Community and Social Participation. The program supports NDIS goals related to improving relationships, communication, social interaction and participation. Families, participants and support coordinators can contact Innerlink Therapy to discuss eligibility and suitability for the program.