Lessons from ten years of psychotherapy process research.

Objective: The aim of this review is to systematize and interpret results produced over one decade of Psychotherapy Process Research (2009-2019) in eight journals. Method: It is a Mixed Studies Review of quantitative as well as qualitative primary studies. The analysis of the results of these studies included a descriptive quantitative part and a qualitative part that followed the logic of Qualitative Meta Analysis, categorizing the main results of both types of studies in a bottom-up procedure that generates specific content categories that are synthesized in further steps of a higher level of abstraction, leading to an "interpretive synthesis" presented in a narrative way. Results: The review shows that psychotherapy process research uses a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods, often creating new procedures. Furthermore, the review indicates that the most commonly assessed macroprocess variables are ongoing change, therapeutic relationship (predominantly therapeutic alliance), and therapeutic intervention; while the most extensively studied microprocess variables are change events, difficult episodes (mainly ruptures), and therapeutic intervention. Macrolevel results reveal that the main contents of ongoing change are the building of new meanings and progressive psychological integration; underscore the association of the therapeutic alliance with ongoing change and outcome; and show the complexity of associating intervention with outcome, because different phases of therapy (and problems) need different assessments. Microlevel results indicate that change events impact on ongoing change and outcome; that for ruptures the key fact is their repair; and that therapist communication has an immediate influence on patient communication. Conclusion: Our knowledge regarding relevant aspects of psychotherapy is very fragmented; robust and replicated results are still scarce. Only a few variables have been found to consistently predict outcome across most therapies. Only in the field of alliance research it has been possible to perform meta-analyses that clearly demonstrate the impact of this factor on final outcomes. Despite these limitations, psychotherapy process research is a powerful tool for uncovering change mechanisms and is at present widely implemented. Our conclusion is that, in order to generate useful future knowledge, change mechanisms need to be linked to ongoing change; this, in turn, requires models of change, hopefully of a transtheoretical nature.

"I am strong and I can get on with my life": The subjective experience of recovery of patients treated for depression.

OBJECTIVE: : The aim of the study was to characterize the subjective experience of recovery from depression based on the perspective of those who suffer from it. METHOD: : Forty participants from two South American countries, who had been or were currently being treated for depression, took part in semi-structured and in-depth interviews. Most participants were female (78%), with ages ranging from 22 to 63 years. Interviews were analyzed using Grounded Theory, creating a hierarchy of categories that represent participants' experience of recovery. The categories were subsequently organized around an emergent central phenomenon. RESULTS: : "Transformation of the experience of the depressed self" was constructed as the main phenomenon that accounts for the subjective understanding of recovery. This transformation consists in an increase in self-acceptance, self-appreciation, and auto-biographical contextualization, coupled with an increase in agency and empowerment. CONCLUSION: : Recovery is experienced as a multidimensional process that goes beyond the absence of symptoms. Change is experienced as a result of active self-management and commitment. The relevance of person-centered perspectives and their subjectivity for managing depression is discussed.

Case formulation as a bridge between theory, clinical practice, and research: A commentary.

This commentary section is based on a comparative analysis of the five articles and case examples presented in this special issue. The place of Case Formulation in the field of psychotherapy is conceptualized as a necessary bridge between diagnostic systems and clinical practice. The common aspects of the five approaches included in the issue, as well as of the cases to which they were applied, are discussed to explore their possible cross-theoretical nature, especially in psychotherapy with more severe cases. All the clients presented in this section have experienced traumas, which manifest themselves as difficulties in their interpersonal relationships. We discuss the value of Case Formulation in the context of clinical practice and research as well as the challenges of fostering the cross-theoretical approach of this tool.

The therapeutic relationship in child psychotherapy: integrating the perspectives of children, parents and therapists.

This study addresses the therapeutic relationship in child psychotherapy, through an exploration of the experience of the main actors engaged in child psychotherapy.To describe and analyse the therapeutic relationship integrating the views of children, parents and therapists.This study employs a qualitative methodology, assuming a discovery-oriented approach which draws from grounded theory. Twelve psychotherapy triads participated, composed of children aged 6-10, their parents and psychotherapists. Semi-structured follow-up interviews were conducted (N=36), including a drawing in the case of the children.A positive therapeutic relationship with children and parents was viewed as a gradually constructed process, based on a positive emotional encounter between participants. It was facilitated primarily by the therapist's commitment and playful stance, the child and therapist mutual involvement, and the parent's collaboration. These aspects entailed a trustful, validating and caring relationship, that shaped children and parents' motivations towards therapy and facilitated change.From a multiple-perspective approach, therapy was conceived as a relational experience. The development of positive relationships required different and evolving dispositions from therapy main actors. Therapists' genuine feelings and engagement in therapeutic activity seem central, underlining the importance of addressing relational aspects in child therapy research and training.

Role of Personality Functioning in the Quality of Life of Patients with Depression.

Depression is associated with reduced quality of life (QoL), and personality pathology is associated with higher impairment and poorer treatment outcomes in patients with depression. This study aims to analyze the effects of personality functioning on the QoL of patients with depression. Severity of depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory), level of personality functioning (Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnosis Structure Questionnaire), and QoL (Medical Outcome Study 36-item Short-Form) were assessed in a sample of 84 depressive outpatients. Personality functioning showed main effects on both the mental and physical components of QoL. A moderating effect of personality functioning on the relationship between depressive symptoms and QoL was tested but not confirmed. Severity of depressive symptoms was found to mediate the effect of personality functioning on the mental component of QoL. These results suggest that the effect of personality functioning on the QoL of patients with depression may be related to the higher severity of depressive symptoms found in patients with lower levels of personality functioning.

Meeting in difference: Revisiting the therapeutic relationship based on patients' and therapists' experiences in several clinical contexts.

Despite decades of research on the therapeutic relationship and the therapeutic alliance and their connection with therapeutic outcomes (Horvath, Del Re, Flückiger, & Symonds, 2011), only a handful of studies have examined how they are experienced by the therapy participants. The aim of the present study is to describe the therapeutic relationship from the subjective perspective of the patients and therapists involved in 3 clinical cases: (a) a 7-year-old child diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, (b) a 29-year old woman diagnosed with a personality disorder, and (c) a 22-year-old man diagnosed with schizophrenia. We conducted semistructured interviews with patients and therapists that were later analyzed following grounded theory coding procedures (Corbin & Strauss, 2008). The results obtained reveal that the constitutive elements of the therapeutic relationship are linked to 2 dimensions of the patient-therapist meeting experience: the technical and role-related dimension, characterized by relational asymmetry, and the affective exchange dimension, characterized by relational symmetry. The article discusses the possible association between the asymmetrical technical dimension, whose roles are defined by the organization of the helping relationship, and the notion of therapeutic alliance as commonly conceptualized and assessed; on the other hand, the experience of the bidirectional and symmetrical patient-therapist affective exchange is linked with concepts such as real relationship and intersubjectivity.

[Psychometric properties of a spanish version of the Beck depression inventory IA]. / Propiedades psicométricas del inventario de depresión de Beck IA para la población chilena.

BACKGROUND: According to the Chilean National Health Survey (2009-2010), 17% of people aged 15 years or more have depressive symptoms. Thus, freely-available, easily-administered, and highly sensitive screening tests for depression are needed in clinical and research settings. AIM: To evaluate the psychometric properties of a Spanish version of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-IA) in adult Chilean population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The inventory was applied to a sample of 1.105 adults aged between 18 to 73 years (94% women). Ninety nine participants were outpatients receiving treatment for affective disorders, 932 were parents and/or guardians of students enrolled in schools and 73 were university students (sample with no known depressive disorder). To perform data analysis, two groups from the random combination of both samples were generated. RESULTS: The inventory showed an appropriate degree of internal consistency (Cronbach alpha = .92). An exploratory factor analysis suggested a one-factor solution. This solution was reinforced with a confirmatory factor analysis, which displayed an adequate goodness of fit. The cutoff score, based on the Youden Index, was 13/14 points. It was able to discriminate between depressed and non-depressed participants. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the BDI-IA is an appropriate instrument to assess depressive symptoms in Chilean adults.

Disentangling the change-alliance relationship: Observational assessment of the therapeutic alliance during change and stuck episodes.

The therapeutic alliance is considered the most robust process variable associated with positive therapeutic outcome in a variety of psychotherapeutic models [Alexander, L. B., & Luborsky, L. (1986). The Penn Helping Alliance Scales. In L. S. Greenberg & W. M. Pinsoff (Eds.), The psychotherapeutic process: A research handbook (pp. 325-356). New York: Guilford Press; Horvath, A. O., Gaston, L., & Luborsky, L. (1993). The alliance as predictor of benefits of counseling and therapy. In N. Miller, L. Luborsky, J. Barber, & J. P. Docherty (Eds.), Psychodynamic treatment research: A handbook for clinical practice (pp. 247-274). New York, NY: Basic Books; Horvath, A. O., Del Re, A. C., Flückiger, C., & Symonds, D. (2011). Alliance in individual psychotherapy. Psychotherapy, 48, 9-16; Orlinky, D., Grawe, K., & Parks, B. (1994). Process and outcome in psychotherapy: Noch einmal. In A. Bergin & J. S. Garfield (Eds.), Handbook of psychotherapy and behaviour change (4th ed., pp. 270-378). New York, NY: Wiley and Sons]. The relationship between alliance and outcome has traditionally been studied based on measures that assess these therapy factors at a global level. However, the specific variations of the alliance process and their association with therapy segments that are relevant for change have not yet been fully examined. The present study examines the variations in the therapeutic alliance in 73 significant in-session events: 35 change and 38 stuck episodes identified through the observation of 14 short-term therapies of different theoretical orientations. Variations in the alliance were assessed using the VTAS-SF [Shelef, K., & Diamond, G. (2008). Short form of the revised Vanderbilt Therapeutic Alliance Scale: Development, reliability, and validity. Psychotherapy Research, 18, 433-443]. Nested analyses (HLM) indicate a statistically significant better quality of the alliance during change episodes.

Acceptability Study of "Ascenso": An Online Program for Monitoring and Supporting Patients with Depression in Chile.

BACKGROUND: Major depression is a highly prevalent and severe mental disease. Despite the effective treatment options available, the risk of relapse is high. Interventions based on information and communication technologies generate innovative opportunities to provide support to patients after they completed treatment for depression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This acceptability study evaluated the Internet-based program Apoyo, Seguimiento y Cuidado de Enfermedades a partir de Sistemas Operativos (ASCENSO) in terms of its feasibility and acceptability in a sample of 35 patients in Chile. RESULTS: The study reveals high rates of acceptance and satisfaction among patients who actively used the program. As obstacles, patients mentioned technical problems, a lack of contact with other participants, and an insufficient connection between the program and the health service professionals. CONCLUSIONS: ASCENSO appears to be a promising complement to regular care for depression. Following improvements of the program based on participants' feedback, future research should evaluate its efficacy and cost-effectiveness.

[Barriers restricting postpartum depression treatment in Chile]. / Barreras de acceso a tratamiento de la depresión posparto en Centros de Atención Primaria de la Región Metropolitana: un estudio cualitativo.

BACKGROUND: In Chile, postpartum depression is a prevalent and disabling condition. Universal screening is available but has not been translated into better treatment rates, suggesting the existence of access barriers. AIM: To describe access barriers to postpartum depression treatment in six primary health care clinics in Metropolitan Santiago, Chile. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty women with postpartum depression and 18 primary health care professionals were subjected to a semi-structured interview. A qualitative methodology based on Grounded Theory was used. RESULTS: There are user associated barriers such as lack of knowledge about the disease, a negative conceptualization and rejection of available treatment options. There are also barriers associated with poor network support and some features of the health care system such as long waiting times and lack of coordination between clinical and administrative decisions. CONCLUSIONS: Patient and provider related barriers restricting treatment of postpartum depression were identified.

The sound of change: a study of the psychotherapeutic process embodied in vocal expression. Laura Rice's ideas revisited.

OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this article were to compare the characteristics of the vocal quality of therapists and patients in change and stuck episodes, and to depict patient-therapist interaction sequences of vocal properties, in order to analyze micro-regulatory processes within the psychotherapeutic interaction. METHOD: Application of the Vocal Quality Patterns coding system to a study of a sample of change and stuck episodes, taken from six psychotherapies. RESULTS: The results made it possible to show that the 15 psychotherapeutic change process are embodied in the modes of vocal expression of their participants, and that the way in which these different modes are coordinated within the interaction makes it possible to observe regulatory micro-sequences that participate in the therapeutic change process.

Generic change indicators in therapeutic processes with different outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: This paper analyzes the relationship between ongoing change and final outcome in therapies carried out in natural settings with 39 clients. METHOD: Ongoing change was assessed through generic change indicators (GCIs), an observational method designed to label the content of change moments by selecting one specific GCI from the sequence of 19 that covers from more rudimentary and low complexity to more elaborated and complex changes. These GCIs can also be grouped into three broad stages of change, according to their level of complexity. Productivity indicators were generated to account for the number of GCIs (total and grouped by stage) adjusted by the length of therapy and the respective individual production of GCIs. Outcome, in turn, is understood as the final result of therapy and was measured by Lambert's Outcome Questionnaire (OQ 45.2). RESULTS: Using the Reliable Change Index of this measure, which qualifies the difference between initial and final scores, therapies were grouped into "good outcome" and "poor outcome" cases. Findings indicate that therapies with good final outcome show a greater presence of Stage III GCIs during the process. Furthermore, in these therapies there is a significant association between Stage I GCI productivity and the productivity of Stages II and III GCIs. This is not the case for poor outcome cases, where results show a greater productivity of initial stage GCIs, mostly in the second half of therapy and no relation of this productivity with Stage II and Stage III GCIs. CONCLUSIONS: Results support the relation of ongoing change and final outcome. Possibilities for the clinical use of GCIs, specifically for monitoring ongoing therapies, are discussed.

[Medium-term effect of an intervention program for adolescent mothers]. / Efectos de mediano plazo de un programa de intervención para madres adolescentes.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the medium-term results of an experimental study which evaluates the effects of home visits by para-professionals to a sample of adolescent mothers, which was successful in the short-term. DESIGN: Quantitative, follow up of two cohorts. FIELD OF STUDY: Two health centers in low socioeconomic areas, Santiago, Chile. PARTICIPANTS: From a sample of 104 adolescent mothers and their children, 69 were contacted when their sons or daughters were 48 month old. Lost data was about 33.6%. INTERVENTIONS: Outcomes variables were: mental health of the mothers; their social, work, and family integration; their interaction with the child; and language and socio-emotional development of the child. The independent variable was the intervention: home visiting. PRINCIPAL MEASUREMENT: The short-term evaluation in the experimental and control groups was carried out using standardized questionnaires when the children were between 12 and 15 months old, and the medium-term evaluation at the age of 48 months. RESULTS: The short term positive effects on the mental health of the mother and on language development of the child were not sustained in the medium-term. The only positive effect was the stability in the relationship with their partners. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of these results, the importance of maintaining regular visits, in order to prevent the fading of the initial effects, is discussed.

Understanding the use/non-use of an internet-based intervention complementing standard depression treatment: A qualitative study of user's experiences.

Introduction: There is sufficient evidence about the effectiveness of internet-based interventions; however, the users' level of adoption and utilization remains low, with this phenomenon requiring adequate explanation. Objective: The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the users' perceptions and experience of a web-based program (ASCENSO), designed to complement (usual) in-person depression treatment. Method: Twelve participants of the ASCENSO program, comprised of adult individuals (M = 44.3, SD = 13.4) of both genders (67% women) undergoing treatment for depression, were interviewed through semi-structured interviews. The data obtained from these interviews were analyzed utilizing a constructivist grounded theory approach. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed by trained coders. A constant comparative analysis of emergent themes was conducted. Results: These show that users employ and appreciate the program when their interaction with it emulates a "humanized relationship," that is, when the program is proactive in assisting users with their requests and when it responds in a pertinent and individualized manner to their emotional states and needs. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the challenges associated with the development of algorithms capable of attracting different potential users. These should be designed to generate a virtual relationship that emulates human interaction and targets the characteristics of each user, for example, considering the specific phenomenology of their health condition, their present emotional states, and perceived needs. Elements that will vary as mental symptomatology evolve.

Effectiveness of adolescent identity treatment (AIT) versus DBT-a for the treatment of adolescent borderline personality disorder.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is among the most severe mental health problems with long-lasting deterioration of functioning. According to a Cochrane review, evidence for methods focused on treatment for adolescent BPD patients is very limited. Aims of the study were to demonstrate the noninferiority of adolescent identity treatment (AIT) compared with dialectical behavior therapy for adolescents (DBT-A), and that intensive early treatment of BPD leads to significant improvement of psychosocial and personality functioning in adolescent patients. In a nonrandomized controlled trial using a noninferiority approach, we compared 37 patients treated with DBT-A with 23 patients treated with AIT. Both treatments included 25 weekly individual psychotherapy sessions and five to eight family sessions. Patients were assessed at four timepoints: baseline, posttreatment, 1- and 2-year follow-up. Primary outcome was psychosocial functioning at 1-year follow-up. We performed both intention-to-treat analyses and per-protocol analyses (completers). Baseline characteristics of both groups were not significantly different except for age and self-injurious behavior. In all, six AIT patients (26%) and 10 DBT-A patients (27%) dropped out of treatment. Both DBT-A and AIT significantly improved adolescents' psychosocial functioning (AIT: d = 1.82; DBT-A: d = 1.73) and personality functioning. BPD criteria and depression were significantly reduced by both treatments. Overall, AIT was found to be not inferior to DBT-A and even more efficient in reducing BPD criteria. Both treatments are highly effective in improving psychosocial functioning and personality functioning in adolescent BPD patients. AIT is a promising approach and not inferior to DBT-A in respect to treatment efficiency. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Identification of Dynamic Patterns of Personal Positions in a Patient Diagnosed With Borderline Personality Disorder and the Therapist During Change Episodes of the Psychotherapy.

Personal positions and voices of a patient diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and the therapist during long-term psychotherapy were studied aiming to find differences in the patterns formed in these aspects of subjectivity according to the level of elaboration of the change episodes achieved by the patient. This case study considered a stage of qualitative analysis where change episodes of the patient were traced through the Change Episodes Model. Later, through the Model of Analysis of Discursive Positioning in Psychotherapy (MAPP), the voices and personal positions of the patient and her therapist were identified in each of the change episodes. In the stage of quantitative analysis, dynamic patterns in the voices and personal positions were established, accounting for hypothetical attractors using the Space State Grid (SSG) technique in each of the three different levels of subjective elaboration that constitute the change episodes. The results established differentiated dynamic patterns in the change episodes, coherent with the patient's change process, and formation of propositive/reflective specific patterns as the patient evolved in the three different levels of subjective elaboration. The above suggests that a subjective transformation process is displayed, and this is manifested in the different voices and personal positions that emerged as the change episodes evolve. The identified dynamic patterns can be considered nonlinear and emergent subjective exchanges between the patient and the therapist throughout the psychotherapy.

The therapeutic relationship and change processes in child psychotherapy: a qualitative, longitudinal study of the views of children, parents and therapists.

Through the perspectives of children, parents and therapists, this study explored the therapeutic relationship as a change facilitator in different moments of psychotherapy. The children, parents, and therapists (N=15) who formed part of five therapeutic treatments were studied using a qualitative, longitudinal design. Thirty semi-structured interviews were done; half at the beginning and half after four months of psychotherapy. Children's drawings were incorporated, and data were analysed through grounded theory methods and qualitative analysis guidelines for drawings. Participants identified several aspects of the therapeutic relationship as change facilitators. From the first encounters, the therapists' close and adaptable attitude promoted an improved motivation for psychotherapy and enhanced engagement among children and parents. Later in the process, a positive, child-centred and affective therapeutic relationship fostered the child's trust with the therapist as well as a positive relational experience, promoting associated changes in children and the development of socio-affective tools. Parents and therapists saw their own relationship as a change facilitator, as well as a broader understanding in parents of their children and an improved relationship with them. Parent's and child's changes helped each other. Specific and common aspects between participants' perspectives provided a richer understanding of the studied phenomena. This study supports the view that a positive therapeutic relationship facilitates early changes in the motivation of children and parents, and provides them with a healing, relational experience as it develops. A positive parent-therapist relationship is also key for changes to further progress.

[Effectiveness of a home visit program for adolescent mothers and their children]. / Evaluación de la efectividad de programas de visitas domiciliarias para madres adolescentes y sus hijos/as.

BACKGROUND: Home visiting is effective for the promotion and prevention of mother-child health in other countries, especially in vulnerable populations such as pregnant teenagers. AIM: To evaluate the association between receiving a home visiting program during pregnancy and child development during the first year of life, maternal mental health, perception of social support and school attendance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross sectional assessment of 132 teenage mother-sibling pairs. Of these, 87 received home visits and 45 were randomly assigned to a control group. The assessed variables were maternal mental health, perception of social support, life satisfaction, incorporation of mothers to school after delivery, child development and frequency of child abuse and neglect. RESULTS: Mothers that received home visits had a better mental health and went back to school in a higher proportion. No significant differences between groups were observed on perception of social support or child development. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest the effectiveness of domiciliary visits performed by non-professionals, to improve mental health and social integration of teenage mothers.

Recognizing oneself in the encounter with others: Meaningful moments in systemic therapy for social anxiety disorder in the eyes of patients and their therapists after the end of therapy.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to characterize and describe meaningful moments in the context of systemic psychotherapy, from the point of view of patients and their therapists, after the end of therapy. The therapy studied is a manualized, monitored systemic therapy for social anxiety disorder. METHOD: Semi-structured follow-up interviews were conducted separately with five patients and their therapists (N = 10). Methodological triangulation was used: Grounded theory was used to code the transcripts as described by Charmaz. Then the passages of the selected code "meaningful moment" were evaluated using thematic comparison, in line with Meuser & Nagel. FINDINGS: Three categories involving meaningful moments were identified: (1) meeting other patients in group therapy session, (2) therapeutic resource orientation and (3) recognizing oneself in a diagnosis or pattern of behaviour. These categories emerged as contexts related to the occurrence of meaningful moments from a subjective perspective. DISCUSSION: Meaningful moments seem to be consistently related to the therapist input and to specific interventions or settings, both from the perspective of the patients and the therapists. Two tandems each described a coincident moment. One central aspect of all 14 moments is that the patients and therapists described patients being able to acquire another outlook on themselves.

An Adjunctive Internet-Based Intervention to Enhance Treatment for Depression in Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Internet-based interventions promise to enhance the accessibility of mental health care for a greater number of people and in more remote places. Their effectiveness has been shown for the prevention and treatment of various mental disorders. However, their potential when delivered as add-on to conventional treatment (ie, blended care) is less clear. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to study the effectiveness of an internet intervention (ASCENSO) implemented in addition to face-to-face treatment as usual (TAU) for depression. METHODS: A 2-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial was conducted in an outpatient private mental health care center in Chile. In all, 167 adults, diagnosed with major depressive disorder, without severe comorbidities, and with internet access, were included. Eighty-four participants were assigned to the intervention group and received medical and psychological TAU from the mental health center plus access to the ASCENSO online platform. The control group (n=83) received only TAU. The ASCENSO platform includes psycho-educational information, depressive symptom monitoring and feedback, and managing emergencies based on the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy. Emergency management was mental health provider-assisted. TAU includes access to primary care physicians and psychiatrists, to a brief individual psychotherapy, and to medication when needed. The baseline questionnaires were administered in person, and 6- and 9-months assessments were conducted online. Depression symptoms and quality of life were measured by self-administered questionnaires, and treatment adherence was determined via the Mental Health Center's internal records. The usage of ASCENSO was assessed by server logs. Reduction on depressive symptomatology was considered as the primary outcome of the intervention and quality of life as a secondary outcome. RESULTS: Of the 84 participants in the intervention group, 5 participants (6%) never accessed the online platform. Of the remaining 79 participants who accessed ASCENSO, 1 (1%, 1/79) did not answer any of the symptom questionnaire, and most participants (72/79, 91%) answered the monitoring questionnaires irregularly. The ASCENSO intervention implemented in addition to face-to-face care did not improve the outcome of the usual care delivered at the mental health center, either in terms of reduction of depressive symptoms (F2,6087= 0.48; P=.62) or in the improvement of quality of life (EQ-5D-3L: F2,7678=0.24; P=.79 and EQ-VAS: F2,6670= 0.13; P=.88). In contrast, for the primary (F2,850=78.25; P<.001) and secondary outcomes (EQ-5D-3L: F2,1067=37.87; EQ-VAS: F2,4390= 51.69; P<.001) in both groups, there was an improvement from baseline to 6 months (P<.001), but there was no change at 9 months. In addition, no effects on adherence to or use of TAU were found. Finally, the dropout rate for the face-to-face treatment component was 54% (45/84) for the intervention group versus 39% (32/83) for the control group (P=.07). CONCLUSIONS: The fact that the adjunctive access to ASCENSO did not improve outcome could be due to both the rather high effectiveness of TAU and to patients' limited use of the online platform. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03093467; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03093467.