Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT)

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

This was the closest category I could pick from to represent the polyvagal and bodymind approaches I use with couples to understand and find compassion for the embodied habits that make it difficult to change behaviors even when we want to. We have all been shaped by those that raised us to have the patterns of regulation we have. Unfortunately, they can have negative consequences on relationships in the present. Once accepted and understood, lasting change is possible.

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.

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 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.

The PACT couples therapy approach pulls from attachment theory, developmental neuorscience and arousal regulation. The sessions tend to be longer in length resulting in less frequency over time meeting with the therapist. Sessions typically look different than most other couples therapy frameworks. The therapist looks for micro expressions from each partner and creates situations for the couple where they can learn to relate with each other differently in real time.

Specializing in Couples Therapy, I bring a deep understanding of relational dynamics and effective communication strategies. Using evidence-based approaches like the Gottman Method, I help couples strengthen their emotional connection and resolve conflicts constructively. My expertise also extends to Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), which focuses on restructuring interactions to create a secure bond. By fostering empathy and mutual understanding, I support couples in rebuilding trust.

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.