Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT)

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

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 therapy, or Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy, is a form of relationship therapy that focuses on understanding and addressing the underlying attachment and neurobiological patterns in couples. We dig deep into your attachment styles and incorporate somatic and cutting edge neuroscience into couples work.

Level I trained with Stan Tatkin at PACT Institute 2023

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.

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.

The PACT model focuses on attachment theory and promotes secure functioning in couples.

In PACT, we assume no malintent and focus on nurturing each partner’s protective strategies. We’ll observe how you interact during stressful moments and uncover how these protective strategies impact your relationship. You’ll learn how to respond to your partner with empathy and deeper understanding, rather than defensiveness. This process creates a stronger, more secure bond, helping you navigate challenges with greater emotional awareness, building lasting intimacy and connection.

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. rPACT uses the science of how our brains work in relationship to help partners form closer, more creative, loving relationships with better communication.

My approach to couples work is primarily influenced by Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT), which draws upon the body, neuroscience, attachment theory, family systems, mindfulness, psychoanalytic/psychodynamic, and social justice.

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.

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.

PACT has at its core the goal to move couples towards a secure functioning relationship- one where folx can feel safe and protected. This method brings both compassion and clarity to the realtionship and tends to everyday issues (money, sex, communication, kids, etc.) from an attachement, brain savvy and truma informed place.

PACT has been proven to be very effective in restoring relationships and help couples overcome many challenges in their relationships. PACT draws from a variety of frameworks but is rooted in the belief that all of us can develop secure functioning relationships with our partners.

I am Level 1 trained in PACT, and I help partners become experts on each other and nurture the development of a shared psychological system through deeper attunement. We clarify implicit aspects of the relationship by defining agreements and governing principles while building personalized communication skills and trust. The ultimate aim is to achieve secure functioning where the couple shares power and authority in a relationship built on common purpose and vision.

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 am a level 2 trained PACT therapist and am registered for Level 3 final training beginning in July 2022