Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy
After PACT training, therapists report feeling more capable, confident, and effective in treating even their most challenging couples.
PACT Training Overview
Discover how a Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT) training empowers therapists like you to work more effectively and more confidently to help couples manage conflict and move forward in their relationships.
The complete PACT program includes three levels of training, leading to PACT Certification:
At each level, you’ll deepen your understanding of couple relationships, gain new skills and insights, learn valuable tools to support your work with clients, and see improved outcomes.
PACT integrates the latest research in neuroscience, the biology of human arousal, and evidence-based principles of attachment. Yet – while solidly grounded in science and research – the methodology allows you, as the therapist, to be inventive and creative in the therapy room.
A practical and dynamic approach to couple therapy, PACT can be used alone and integrates well with other models you may have studied or practice. The effective assessment and intervention strategies you learn can be used right away and will become your go-to resources in your toolbox.
Clinical Trainings
"[The PACT Training] completely supports and develops my skills as a therapist and as a human. "
Ellen Boeder
"I'm super happy to have added PACT to my couple therapy skill set."
Lynda Spann
"Every process in this course helps me in my marriage, my life, and my work."
Daniel Scrafford
"This training has changed me in a really good way, both professional and personally."
Elaine Maronick
"I do believe [the PACT training] is not only life changing but world shaping. I mean that."
Suzanne Forrester
"PACT has been the most helpful training I have experienced in over 24 years of practice as a therapist."
Katie Graham
Check out our FREE Intro to PACT for Grad Schools.
The Intro to PACT bundle includes:
- Three journal articles written by Dr. Stan Tatkin, PsyD, MFT
- Two videos, in which Dr. Tatkin explains the PACT methodology and talks about secure functioning as the cornerstone of healthy couple relationships (total running time for both videos: 64 minutes)
- A video of Dr. Tatkin working with a couple and demonstrating PACT basic skills, including cross-tracking, cross-commenting, cross-questioning, and going down the middle (running time for video: 25 minutes)
- Instructions for exercises that you can demonstrate and students can practice in class, with questions for debriefing
- Suggested reading
CE Credit Available
PACT professional training is intended for licensed and pre-licensed marriage and family therapists, social workers, counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists. CE hours are offered at all levels through the PACT Institute.
Successful completion of Level 1 earns 40 CE hours. Successful completion of Level 2 earns 30 CE hours.
Marriage and Family Therapists, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors, Licensed Educational Psychologists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, and Certified Counselors: The PACT Institute has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP #6641.
New York Social Workers: The PACT Institute is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers, SW CPE #0104.
New York LMHCs: The PACT Institute is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors, #MHC 0114.
Psychologists: The PACT Institute is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The PACT Institute maintains responsibility for this training program and its content.
Benefits for Federal Employees
The PACT Institute is officially registered with the U.S. System for Award Management (SAM) as an approved organization to provide training for federal government employees. If you work for the federal government, ask if your agency can offer you financial assistance to attend PACT training. Reach out to us at [email protected] if you have any questions.