WHAT IS PACT?
PACT (Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy) is a powerful and effective model for couples therapy. PACT was developed by Stan Tatkin, using cutting-edge research in three areas.
The first area is neuroscience, the study of the human brain. Understanding how the brain works provides a physiological basis for understanding how people act and react within relationships. Simply put, some areas of your brain are wired to reduce threat and danger and seek security, while others are geared to establish mutuality and loving connection. PACT applies neuroscience as a way for couples to understand what they are doing and why when it comes to the brain.
The second area is attachment theory, which explains the biological need to bond with others. Experiences in early relationships create a blueprint that informs the sense of safety and security you bring to adult relationships. Insecurities that have been carried through life can wreak havoc for a couple if these issues are not resolved.
The third area is the biology of human arousal—meaning the moment-to-moment ability to manage one’s energy, alertness, and readiness to engage.
The initial PACT sessions is three hours in length to allow time for me to hear your presenting problem and get to know you better as a couple. Subsequent PACT sessions are two hours in length, and may run anywhere from 3-6 hours if requested. Longer times allow for the in-depth nature of PACT therapy. PACT tends to require fewer sessions than other forms of Couple Therapy. Some of the focus in sessions will be on moment-to-moment shifts in face, body, voice and asking you to pay close attention to these as a couple, while also creating experiences in session similar to those troubling your relationship. With this, I will help guide you through working through your problems in real time during session.
PACT utilizes the use of rolling chairs to work on proximity, eye contact and reading faces/body by being able to face one another. This is the setup in my office.
