“Check, Change What You Need To Change and/or Keep What You Want”: An Art Therapy Neurobiological-Based Trauma Protocol

Abstract

The Check (“Check, Change What You Need To Change and/or Keep What You Want”) art therapy protocol is a sequence of directives for treating trauma that is grounded in neurobiological theory and designed to facilitate trauma narrative processing, autobiographical coherency, and the rebalancing of dysregulated responses to psychosocial stressors and trauma impacts. This article reviews the neurobiological systems involved in trauma processing and demonstrates the Check protocol with the case of a woman with posttraumatic stress disorder who had witnessed the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, New York. A comparison of pre- and post-treatment assessments showed decreased anxiety and avoidance behaviors and improved resiliency.