Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT)

PACT (Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy) is a type of couples therapy that quickly gets to the heart of what's happening with conflict and tension in your relationship. PACT works by cutting out a lot of the confusing talking and arguing about who's right and how to fix a given problem. During sessions you will be facing each other and work on your attunement as a couple as the therapist works from the outside of the "couple bubble".

I am a level II trained PACT therapist and have been in a a monthly case consultation group led by the founder of PACT, Stan Tatkin.

I have extensive training in PACT (was trained in Level I + II) and am part of an ongoing case consultation group to further hone my skills and craft. PACT is very comprehensive and pays a lot of attention to attachment styles, emotional regulation, and brain science. Given that I've been trained in PACT, Gottman, and EFT, I methodically use the best parts of each modality based on what my couples are bringing and am struggling with.

PACT stands for Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy and it has been developed by Stan Tatkin, PsyD. Its goal is to integrate mind-body functioning and give couples the tools to create a safe, “secure-functioning” relationships. PACT has been developed thanks to exciting, cutting-edge research in three areas: Neuroscience, Attachment Theory & Human Arousal.

The goal of PACT couples counseling is to create a secure functioning relationship where both parties are committed to operating as a "we/us" rather than two individuals at odds. Pact uses neuroscience and attachment theory of relationships. I will focus on moment-to-moment shifts in your face, body, and voice, and ask you to pay close attention to these as a couple. We will create experiences similar to those troubling your relationship and help you work through them in session.

A PACT couple session may differ somewhat from what clinicians and couples experience in other forms of couple therapy. A PACT therapist’s focus on moment-to-moment shifts in a client’s face, body, and voice, and each partner’s active involvement in paying close attention to these as a couple. A PACT therapist creates experiences similar to those troubling a relationship and helps the couple work through them in real time during the session. PACT sessions often exceed the 50-minute hour

PACT was developed out of research in three areas: attachment theory, neuroscience, and the biology of human arousal. Neuroscience provides an understanding of how people act and react within relationships. The biology of human arousal explains the moment-to-moment ability to manage our energy, alertness and ability to engage with others. PACT uses the science of how our brains work in relationship to help partners form closer, more creative, loving relationships with better communication.

This polytheoretical modality incorporates attachment theory, neurobiology, arousal regulation, systems, and cultural sensitivity. PACT is an integrative approach created by Stan Tatkin. I The model is appropriate for couples motivated to establish what is known as secure functioning. Secure functioning hinges on the belief humans are wired for connection. In partnerships, we connect better when we interactively regulate each other and have a shared purpose in the relationship.

I am a PACT level 1 trained couples therapist. PACT is a psycho-biological approach to couples therapy that combines understanding neurology, attachment systems, and arousal to get to the process underlying communication difficulties.

I have been a student of the Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT) principles since 2018. I have taken over 50 hours of advanced continuing education coursework on PACT and in attachment theory, developmental neuroscience, and arousal regulation.

PACT looks at what’s really happening in your brain and your emotions when you fight. If you were in a couples therapy session and you were stuck, your therapist might slow you down (we all know how sped up and out of control it can get when you’re in conflict) and help point out what’s happening with your body and your emotions.

Entrenamiento en PACT- un método para trabajar con parejas con complicaciones

I have completed Level 1 training in PACT.

Level 1 Trained PACT Therapist

Developed by Dr. Stan Tatkin, PACT is a fusion of attachment theory, developmental neuroscience, and arousal regulation. PACT has a reputation for effectively treating the most challenging couples. Your experience during a PACT session may differ somewhat from what you would experience in other forms of couple therapy. Contact me to learn more.