My Approach to Psychotherapy
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My approach is grounded in Self Determination Theory (SDT), a leading scientific theory of motivation and well-being. At its core, SDT holds that all human beings are naturally inclined toward growth, vitality, and integration—but this potential can only unfold when three universal or basic psychological needs are consistently supported:
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Autonomy: the experience of acting with a sense of volition and authenticity
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Relatedness: feeling connected, cared for, and a sense of belonging
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Competence: feeling effective and capable in meeting life’s challenges
When these basic psychological needs are supported, people are likely to act from autonomous motivation—pursuing goals because they’re personally meaningful or inherently interesting. This leads to greater vitality, emotional resilience, well-being, and an authentic sense of self.
But when these needs are chronically thwarted—through persistant criticism, conditional acceptance, neglect, or internalized pressures—people tend to rely on controlled motivation, where behavior is driven by external demands or self-imposed “shoulds.” Over time, this can lead to rigidity, defensiveness, emotional distress, and a painful disconnection from one’s true self.
While the diagram shows two distinct paths, life rarely divides so neatly. Most people experience a mix of need support and thwarting—not just across different areas of life, but often within the same relationship or setting. Over time, it’s the overall pattern that influences the quality of our motivation and level of well-being
How I Work with Clients
I structure therapy across three interconnected levels, always with the goal of helping clients understand how their needs may have been neglected or blocked—and how to restore those needs so they can live more freely and fully:
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Therapist-client relationship: Creating a safe, collaborative space where we clarify what matters most to you, tailor support and structure to your needs, and work together toward meaningful change.
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Building inner skills: Developing self-awareness, supportive inner dialogue, and psychological flexibility so you can navigate challenges with greater clarity, confidence, and alignment with your genuine interests and values.
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Strengthening relationships: Cultivating authenticity and openness, improving communication, and actively engaging in ways that are consistent with your values and help meet your own needs.
The process and the content of therapy reinforce one another: I aim to ensure that your experience in therapy reflects the same psychological conditions that support growth and well-being outside of therapy.
A Note on Diagnoses
A diagnosis is required for clients to be eligible to receive insurance reimbursements for psychotherapy. While these diagnostic categories can provide some structure for communication and research, they don't tell us much about why someone is suffering--or what will actually help. I don't view distress or problematic behaviors as diseases within the individual. Instead, consistent with SDT, I see psychological struggles as understandable responses to environments that frustrate our basic needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. What might look like a "mental disorder" is often a creative attempt to survive or adapt to a difficult context.