This observational study investigates the outcomes of Strategic Psychotherapy, a form of brief psychological treatment focused on specific goals for change, co-constructed with patients. The aim is to evaluate whether patients who receive this therapy in private practice settings experience improvements in their psychological well-being, symptoms, and daily functioning.
The study population includes all adult patients (≥18 years) who spontaneously seek treatment from two strategic therapists between January 2021 and December 2025. Eligible participants must present with psychological problems that meet the criteria for a clinical diagnosis.
Participants will complete two psychological questionnaires (SCL-90R and CORE-OM) before starting therapy and again at the end of their treatment.
Additional information will be collected, such as use of medication, the patient's own evaluation of the therapy, number of sessions attended, initial diagnosis, involvement of family members, and types of prescriptions used.
All data will be treated confidentially and used solely for research purposes.
Adults aged 18 years or older.
Individuals voluntarily seeking psychological treatment in private practice with one of the participating strategic therapists.
Presence of clinically relevant psychological problems consistent with a formal diagnosis (e.g., anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, stress-related conditions, relational difficulties).
Ability to provide informed consent.
Individuals younger than 18 years.
Patients with severe psychiatric conditions requiring immediate specialized care (e.g., acute psychosis, severe suicidal risk, substance dependence requiring detoxification).
Patients currently enrolled in another clinical trial.
Inability or unwillingness to complete the required questionnaires (SCL-90-R and CORE-OM).
The study population will consist of adult patients (≥18 years) who voluntarily seek psychological treatment in private practice with two licensed strategic therapists in Livorno and Empoli, Italy. Participants are individuals presenting with clinically relevant psychological problems consistent with a formal diagnosis (e.g., anxiety, depression, stress-related or relational difficulties). Patients are not recruited through advertising or referral; they are self-referred clients seeking therapy during the period January 2021 to December 2025.
Case-only
Prospective
Strategic Psychoterapy
BehavioralStrategic psychotherapy as described in scientific literature
1. Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) 2. Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation - Outcome Measure (CORE-OM)
1. Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) Description: A 90-item self-report scale assessing psychological symptoms across multiple domains. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale (0 = "not at all" to 4 = "extremely"). Higher scores indicate greater symptom severity. 2. Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation - Outcome Measure (CORE-OM) Description: A 34-item self-report questionnaire assessing well-being, problems/symptoms, functioning, and risk. Each item is rated on a 5-point scale (0 = "not at all" to 4 = "most or all of the time"). Higher scores indicate greater distress.
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