PACT
Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy
What is PACT?
Do you notice recurring patterns in your relationship that seem automatic or rooted in old emotional habits?
Do you shut down, withdraw, or get overwhelmed when conflict happens?
Do you want to learn how to make your partner feel more safe, and also feel more safe yourself?
Would you like to improve how attuned and responsive you are to each other?
PACT (Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy) is a form of couples therapy developed by Dr. Stan Tatkin. It combines attachment theory, neuroscience, and arousal regulation to help partners create a secure, stable, and mutually supportive relationship.
PACT focuses on how partners’ nervous systems and attachment histories influence their interactions—especially during conflict. Instead of relying mainly on conversation, PACT uses real-time observations of body language, facial expressions, tone, and emotional reactions.
Partners engage in guided, experiential exercises that reveal their automatic patterns and help them replace them with healthier, more secure responses.
Overall, PACT is an active, fast-paced, and neurobiologically informed approach designed to help couples understand each other more deeply, regulate emotional reactivity, and build a relationship based on trust, safety, and connection.
People who work do PACT often report improvements such as:
Better communication and fewer misunderstandings
A stronger sense of safety and trust in the relationship
Greater emotional closeness and intimacy
Improved ability to soothe each other during stress
More secure, stable connection with fewer repeating conflict cycles
More fairness, teamwork, and collaboration in daily life
Stronger repair skills, leading to quicker recovery after arguments
Increased empathy and attunement to each other’s emotional cues
Safety & Considerations
PACT should be facilitated by a trained Practitioner.
Sessions are usually longer than traditional therapy (often 2–3 hours), allowing couples to work deeply and efficiently on underlying issues.
It is critical that both partners feel physically secure, respected, and free to express themselves without fear of harm, retaliation, or punishment before beginning.
Ready to feel more understood in your relationship?
Interested?
Fill out the form below or email us at connect@theinnerpath.org