David L. Penn

The first section of the SCIT Clinician Guide includes six chapters that provide step-by-step instructions for implementing Phase I of SCIT. Phase I constitutes the first third of the intervention, lasting approximately two months, or seven weekly group sessions. The foci of Phase I are introducing clients to the intervention, providing psychoeducation about emotions, and providing training in recognizing emotions in oneself and others. This chapter describes Sessions 1 and 2, in which group leaders use video and discussion to introduce clients to the concept of social cognition and to develop group consensus that thoughts, feelings, and emotions are mutually influencing in social situations. During these sessions, clients begin to build group alliance, begin linking SCIT concepts to social situations in their own lives, and establish expectations and guidelines for the group moving forward.