What is the Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC)?
The Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC) is a helpful framework that art therapists use to understand how children process and express thoughts, emotions, and experiences through creative activities like drawing, painting, sculpting, and other forms of art.
It’s based on the idea that different kinds of art-making engage different parts of the brain and support different kinds of emotional and psychological processing.
How the ETC Helps in Art Therapy with Children
Children may not always have the words to explain how they feel or what they’re going through. Art therapy allows them to express themselves in a natural, safe, and creative way. The ETC helps the therapist choose or adapt activities that best fit the child’s emotional needs, developmental level, and current state of mind.
The ETC has three main levels of processing:
Kinesthetic/Sensory Level (movement and touch-based art)
What it looks like: Finger painting, scribbling, clay work, or other hands-on, physical art.
Why it’s helpful: Great for children who need to release energy, calm their bodies, or are not yet ready to talk. It helps with self-regulation and sensory integration.
Perceptual/Affective Level (imagery and emotional expression)
What it looks like: Drawing people or scenes, choosing colors to express emotions.
Why it’s helpful: Supports emotional expression and identification. Children can explore and share feelings safely through symbols or images.
Cognitive/Symbolic Level (thinking and meaning-making)
What it looks like: Creating stories through pictures, using symbols, or working on more detailed projects.
Why it’s helpful: Encourages problem-solving, storytelling, and insight. This level can help children make sense of their experiences.
How It Might Be Used in a Session with Your Child
During a session, the art therapist might observe how your child interacts with different materials and activities. For example:
If your child is anxious or has trouble sitting still, the therapist might start with sensory or kinesthetic activities to help them feel grounded.
If your child is struggling with sadness or frustration, the therapist might guide them to use color, shape, or imagery to express those emotions visually.
As your child becomes more comfortable, they might move into storytelling or symbol-based art, which helps them reflect and grow from their experiences.
The ETC provides a developmentally sensitive and individualized approach—meeting your child where they are and helping them move toward healing and growth through creativity.