Manta

Researchers are investigating the progress and outcomes of clients receiving psychotherapy for common mental health problems in Ecuador. This observational and naturalistic study aims to understand how clients' psychological distress changes during therapy and identify factors linked to treatment outcomes in real-world mental health services. The study includes adolescent and adult populations and is conducted across multiple psychological care centers to reflect actual therapeutic practices. Participants will continue their regular psychotherapy sessions led by licensed practitioners tailored to their individual needs. Throughout their therapy, clients will complete questionnaires about their general well-being before each session as part of a Routine Outcome Monitoring system. Data will be gathered at the client, therapist, and service levels, including psychological distress, sociodemographic information, treatment satisfaction, therapist intake forms, personal style questionnaires, and service operational data. Participants will be assessed at the start, during, and immediately after treatment, with measures including the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation (CORE-OM, CORE-10) and Young Person's CORE (YP-CORE). Researchers will monitor client progress, treatment satisfaction, and contextual changes throughout therapy. The study aims to promote the adoption of routine outcome monitoring to improve mental health care quality in Ecuador and Latin America, with a total participation duration based on the course of psychotherapy, averaging about 10 weeks.