The Expressive Therapies Continuum

The Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC) is a framework that guides how different creative activities—like art, music, or dance—support emotional and psychological growth. It organizes these activities into levels based on their focus: from simple, sensory experiences to more complex, symbolic expressions. Lower levels help calm and connect you to your body and senses, while higher levels encourage deeper reflection and insight through symbolic or metaphorical work. This structure helps therapists select tools appropriate to a person’s needs, fostering healing and personal development through creative expression.