Couples Therapy

What does PACT stand for?  Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy

Why do I choose this approach?  

Regardless if you are in a relationship with someone else, you are also in relationship to yourself.  This work allows people to learn skills and valuable information that they can choose to apply to relationships with others or relationship with self so the time and money spent in therapy is useful. The idea of “marriage counseling” didn’t work for us, does not work for me. 

I want people to grow and evolve through counseling regardless of the direction that the marriage or couples work goes.  I use this information in individual work as well because it applies to all of us humans. 

 The study of the human brain. Understanding how the brain works provides a physiological basis for understanding how people act and react within relationships. In a nutshell, 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. 

 The explanation for 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 moment-to-moment ability to manage one’s energy, alertness, and readiness to engage. 

The PACT model stands out from most other forms of couple therapy with these key features:

• Using the PACT approach, both the therapist and the couple focus on moment-to-moment shifts in the face, body, and voice. Therapists help partners learn to be more attuned and respond to these subtle shifts in each other. (Helping you "learn your partner so you can like them)
• During a PACT session, the therapist creates experiences similar to those troubling a couple’s relationship, and they help partners work through issues in real time.
• PACT tends to require fewer sessions than do other forms of couple therapy.
• PACT sessions are longer sessions allowing for PACT therapists to work more deeply with couples. Both partners have to be together in the same room for therapy to occur.  Therapist is trained using both in person or Telehealth (therapist is on zoom) but does require the partners to be physically together on Telehealth and both in full view for therapist to see.