the relations between need thwarting and the development of a
number of commonly diagnosed forms of psychopathology. Specifically,
the SDT concept of basic psychological needs refers to
those nutriments from the social environment that are essential or
necessary for the processes of growth, integrity, and wellness to
ensue. Although there may be others, the empirical findings within
SDT have specified autonomy, competence, and relatedness as
universal psychological needs (e.g., Deci & Ryan, 2000; Ryan,
1995). Mobilizing the integrative tendency within the context of
therapy requires supporting the satisfaction of these three needs.
To the extent that treatment settings and psychotherapeutic encounters
promote basic psychological need satisfaction and facilitate
people being able to get these basic needs more fully satisfied
in the various domains of their lives, the treatment will be more
effective in promoting well-being. Although every encounter with
patients is unique, the focus on need support leads therapists
guided by SDT to a few common foci and styles of intervention.
In what follows we discuss a few of these considerations.