Introduction to PACT – The Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy Part 1 – Understanding the Convergences of Developmental Neuroscience, Arousal Regulation and Attachment Theory in Treating Couples
Presented by
Hans Stahlschmidt, PhD
Friday, May 2nd, 2025
10:00 am - 12:15 pm
Zoom, 2.0 CEs
On Zoom
Note: This is Part 1 of a planned two-part series. The second part will be on Friday, June 6. It is not necessary to take both trainings, however Part 2 will build off the introductory concepts offered in this Part 1 course.
Course Description
This course will introduce a different approach to working with couples. It suggests that couples will co-develop a relationship that reflects a deep mutual care system and is also a growth model that encourages and supports the partners to grow and prosper. Major principles of this care system are building safety and security with each other and putting the relationship first, as well as finding agreements that organize their relationship in a secure-functioning way and develop effective co-regulation. Pact is both a bottom-up and a top-down model of couple therapy. This approach allows more freedom for the therapist to use the self for the benefit of the therapy.
Educational Goals
Attendees will learn about the main psychological and biological domains that PACT is built on and that drives the treatment of couples toward the development of secure functioning and the main components needed for secure functioning. The course will cover the unique role the therapist plays in PACT and how this can be different, fun and freeing.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:
- Identify and understand the 3 Domains of PACT and their linkage.
- List the 3 components of the PACT goal of Secure Functioning.
- List 3 aspects of Secure Functioning.
- Identify at least 1 aspect of the brain's error potential that contributes to challenges between a couple.
About Our Speaker
Hans Stahlschmidt, PhD
Dr. Hans Stahlschmidt has been part of the PACT Institute for over 13 years. Hans is a highly experienced therapist who works with couples and individuals in private practice in Berkeley, CA. He believes that navigating a primary relationship is one of the most difficult human endeavors but also one of the most rewarding ones — a challenge that will make us grow.
Hans has studied, worked, and taught in Germany as well as in the United States. He holds a German psychology degree from the Freie Universität Berlin and practiced in Berlin as a licensed psychologist. He received his PhD from Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara, CA. While drawing upon a range of psychological approaches, he has made the PACT model his theoretical and practice-related home.
Location
Zoom Meeting. Requires pre-registration with Zoom using the instructions provided in your RECAMFT confirmation email in order to get your personal Zoom Join Link.
Registration
RSVP here. Please note that once you have RSVP'd for this event, you will receive a link to register for the Zoom Meeting. You must complete this second Zoom-registration step to gain access to the event link.
Pricing
1) Registration for All RECAMFT Members - no charge
2) Reciprocal registration for members of Marin CAMFT (CODE REQUIRED) - no charge
3) Other CAMFT Members - Licensed - $30.00
4) Other CAMFT Members - Pre-Licensed - $14.00
5) Non-CAMFT Members (general public) - $36.00
Training Schedule and Attendance Requirements
Please note, this is a 2.0-CE training, comprised of two hours of training plus time for RECAMFT announcements during the meeting. You must be logged on at the beginning of the training, be present during the event (including responding to attendance checks by coming on camera, verbally replying, and/or replying in the chat), and stay logged on for the full duration, to end at 12:15 pm, in order to earn the CEs. If your camera is off the entire time, and RECAMFT cannot verify you were physically present at your computer throughout the training, then RECAMFT cannot issue a CE certificate, as we would not be able to show that the BBS requirements for your participation were met.
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Redwood Empire Chapter CAMFT (Provider #57173) is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs. Redwood Empire Chapter CAMFT maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.
- Disability Accommodation: To request an accommodation for a disability, please email therapy@recamft.org.
- Refunds: Refunds may be requested up to 7 days before the event by contacting therapy@recamft.org. No refunds are given beginning 7 days prior to the event. If a registrant cannot attend the event due to a mandatory evacuation or Public Safety Power Shut-off the day of the event, they can request and receive a refund with verification of address.
- CE Certificate: You must be physically present at your computer and watching and/or listening to the training while logged onto the zoom meeting for the entire presentation, and complete a post test and an evaluation to receive your CE credit certificate. Within a week after the conclusion of this educational event, once RECAMFT has processed attendance, an email with a link to the test and evaluation form will be sent to all participants whose physical presence during the online meeting is verified. Once you complete and submit your evaluation, you will have immediate access and be able to print or save your CE Certificate. This course meets the qualifications for 2.0 hrs of continuing education (CE) credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
- Notice of Recording: Whenever possible, our CE events are recorded or filmed and may appear on our website. Your participation in this event by registering and attending indicates your approval for your likeness to appear in the recording, if any.
- Grievances: Direct grievances to therapy@recamft.org, and/or the chapter president at recamftpresident@gmail.com.
