How Human Needs Shape Behavior, Emotion, and Therapy

A Deeper Dive into the Foundations of Well-being and Growth:

Session Description:
Our last meeting focused on the nature of well-being and what allows people to truly thrive. Several people asked for a follow-up session offering a clearer framework for understanding these ideas and how they connect to everyday life, relationships, and personal growth. In response, this meeting will take a deeper but accessible look at one of the most influential contemporary approaches to human motivation and well-being.
We’ll explore three relatively short readings that together offer a coherent picture of how our basic psychological needs shape behavior, emotional experience, and therapeutic change. The aim of the session is to bring these ideas to life in a way that is understandable and personally meaningful, whether or not you have a background in psychology.

Readings (PDFs):

• Overview of psychological needs and well-being
  Deci, E. L. & Ryan, R. M. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68-78.
  PDF: https://selfdeterminationtheory.org/SDT/documents/2000_RyanDeci_SDT.pdf
• Therapy and human motivation
  Deci, E. L. & Ryan, R. M. (2008). A self-determination theory approach to psychotherapy: The motivational basis for effective change. Canadian Psychology, 49(3), 182-185.
  PDF: https://www.elaborer.org/psy1045/cours/RyanDeci%282008%29.pdf
• Emotion regulation as the “freedom to feel” (optional reading)
  Benita, M. (2020). Freedom to feel: A self-determination theory account of emotion regulation. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 14(11), e12563.
  PDF: https://selfdeterminationtheory.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2020_Benita_FreedomtoFeel.pdf
• Optional additional resource: Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction & Frustration Scale (BPNSFS) — Full manual & downloadable. PDF: https://selfdeterminationtheory.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/BPNSFS_Complete_2020.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com. Scroll down to p. 24 for the English version. This is offered for your interest and insight — you are not required to take or score it. I included this so you can see how the key constructs of psychological needs are operationalized in SDT research and practice.

What to expect:

• A brief introduction connecting this session to our previous conversation about thriving.
• A friendly, guided walk-through of the key ideas from each article.
• Ample time for questions, reflections, and personal applications—at a pace accessible for both clinicians and non-clinicians.
• No technical knowledge required.

Preparation:
Reading the articles in advance is encouraged but not required. You’re welcome to join whether you’ve read all, some, or none of them.

RSVP:
If you find you’re unable to attend, please update your RSVP as soon as you can so that those on the waitlist have time to read the articles. Thank you.