Introduction to PACT – The Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy Part 2 – Assessing and Working with the Attachment Types within Your Couples
Presented by
Hans Stahlschmidt, PhD
Friday, June 6th, 2025
10:00 am - 12:15 pm
Zoom, 2.0 CEs
On Zoom
Note: This is Part 2 of a two-part series. It is not necessary to have taken Part 1 on May 2nd in order to attend, however this Part 2 will build off the introductory concepts offered in the previous Part 1 course.
Course Description
This workshop will focus on the assessment of adult attachment styles and the development of clinical interventions aimed at shifting maladaptive couple dynamics. Utilizing key principles from an arousal-based therapeutic framework, we will examine strategies for guiding couples from states of dysregulation toward effective co-regulation. Emphasis will be placed on systemic interventions that address the couple as a unit, while reducing the risk of over-identification with one partner or inadvertently conducting individual therapy within a conjoint format.
Additionally, we will deepen our capacity to maintain therapeutic self-regulation and examine the role of countertransference in couple therapy. Particular attention will be given to how the therapist’s emotional responses can be recognized and utilized as a clinical tool to support and enhance the couple’s process.
Educational Goals
This training will teach interventions regarding the various attachment styles – especially of the avoidant and angry-resistant/ambivalent - of the partners in couple relationships. Attendees will understand dysregulation and co-regulation in various couple relationships as related to the attachment patterns of the partners. Attendees will also learn some basic interventions that can promote and facilitate increased co-regulation.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:
- Identify the two major insecure attachment styles.
- Apply the technique of addressing the couple system via “Down the middle” intervention
- Apply basic PACT interviewing techniques.
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.
Recording
RECAMFT intends to record this event, and assuming no technical hurdles, will be producing it as an on-demand course to be published at the RECAMFT CE Center, including the ability to earn CEs. RECAMFT members will have access there for free. Non-members and reciprocal chapter members will be able to purchase access. Access to the recording is not included with any registration for this "live" (real-time on Zoom) training. If you know that you will not be able to attend on the event date listed above, please do not register for this training and instead wait until the on-demand version is published. Registrations are managed separately and cannot be transferred.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
