Abstract
Background: In Latin America, psychotherapy process research has made significant progress in developing methodologies and observational tools. However, language and geographic location have limited its global visibility. This study aims to systematize advances in observational measures used in the region between 2000 and 2023. Method: A scoping review of the literature was conducted following PRISMA 2018 guidelines, using databases such as EBSCO, Dialnet, WoS, Scopus, LILACS, and SciELO. Studies in Spanish, Portuguese, and English focusing on observational measures in process research were included, while those addressing only therapeutic outcomes were excluded. Results: Thirty-eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Twenty observational measures were identified and classified into three categories: (1) Categorical Coding Systems (relevant episodes and micro-analytic unit systems); (2) Rating Scales; and (3) Q-Sort Methodologies. Most studies were conducted in Chile and Brazil, with an emphasis on the investigation of therapeutic microprocesses. Conclusion: This review provides a comprehensive overview of the region’s developments and offers guidelines for future research aimed at expanding and applying these tools across diverse therapeutic contexts.
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