PACT:  The Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy

There are many approaches to working with couples.  I’m a level 2 trained PACT therapist.  I chose PACT because it is congruent with the fundamentals of trauma therapy, somatic psychology and mindfulness.  Safety and security, and the presence of mind for both partners is key.

PACT is grounded in contemporary neuroscience.  This highlights the physiological functioning of the brain as the biological underpinning for the relational dynamics of the couple.  This means that the couple’s challenges and patterns are in large part due to their nervous systems’ reactions to perceived threat. 

PACT focuses on maintaining safety for both partners as a primary task for protecting the couple.  The brains’ default mode has a negative bias and is constantly engaged in assessing danger to predict safety.  PACT emphasizes the positive elements of safety and security rather than the deficits and hurts of the past.

PACT uses attachment theory as a lens through which to understand the patterns of reactivity.  If one partner tends to cling under stress and the other tends to withdraw, their most natural reactions will be perceived by the other as threatening.  Each partners’ early relational hurts can be repaired within the relationship when these attachment dynamics are understood.

PACT uses our current understanding of trauma neurophysiology to recognize when a partner’s brain is no longer in the present moment.  By supporting each partner to recognize when they are not feeling safe, they can learn to prioritize safety over fighting.

The following information is taken directly from the PACT Institute website with only minor edits.