Evidence-Based Practice
Social Cognition and Interaction Training (SCIT)
SCIT is an evidence-based group treatment that targets the social cognitive deficits and biases that interfere with social functioning for individuals living with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders — helping clients better read social situations, manage emotional responses, and engage more confidently with others.
SCIT targets social cognitive deficits and biases using exercises, discussion of pictures and videos, games, and interpersonal strategies.
About This Practice
What is SCIT?
SCIT is an evidence-based group treatment designed to improve social functioning by way of improved social cognition among people with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. The treatment can be delivered by mental health clinicians of all levels and in a large range of community and hospital settings.
SCIT targets three core social cognitive domains: emotion perception, attributional style (the tendency to blame others for negative events), and theory of mind (the ability to understand the mental states of others). By addressing these underlying deficits, SCIT helps clients build more accurate and flexible ways of interpreting social interactions.
This training equips clinicians to facilitate SCIT groups with individuals experiencing schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. Participants will learn the theoretical foundation of social cognition deficits, how to guide clients through the three phases of SCIT, and strategies for adapting the approach across different clinical settings and populations.
Training Details
SCIT Training
- Duration: 2 days
- Offered on-site (your site or ours) or virtually
- Certificate of completion awarded at the conclusion of the course
*CEUs available upon request.
Need Guidance?
Not sure which training format is right for your team? We're happy to help you find the best fit.
Curriculum Highlights
What You'll Learn
- The theoretical framework of social cognition and its role in psychotic disorders
- How to assess and target emotion perception deficits in a group treatment format
- Strategies for identifying and addressing attributional biases that contribute to conflict
- How to build theory of mind skills through structured exercises, video discussion, and games
- How to facilitate all three phases of SCIT across community and hospital settings
- Techniques for adapting SCIT to diverse populations and clinical environments
Evidence Base
Demonstrated Outcomes
Improved Emotion Perception
SCIT participants demonstrate measurable improvements in the ability to accurately identify and interpret facial expressions and social cues — a core deficit in psychotic disorders.
Reduced Attributional Bias
Training is associated with reductions in the tendency to blame others for negative events, supporting more balanced and adaptive social reasoning in everyday interactions.
Better Real-World Social Functioning
By targeting the cognitive roots of social difficulty, SCIT supports meaningful improvements in social engagement, community participation, and quality of life for individuals with psychosis.