Reinforcing the Neurobiological Foundation of Art Therapy Assessment and Treatment: Integrating ETC and SIBAM

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

The Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC), a neurobiologically-informed framework guiding art therapists in assessment and treatment makes it effective for trauma care. Somatic Experiencing (SE), like the ETC, tracks sensations, images, behaviors, affect, and meaning, denoted by the acronym SIBAM, to direct trauma-informed care. By emphasizing observations of artistic processes, not merely art products, both frameworks help art therapists identify critical behavioral and artistic indicators that can help them make informed decisions about interventions. This paper explores the integrative use of the ETC model and the SIBAM framework in two clinical cases, where positive therapeutic outcomes were achieved. It aims to reaffirm ETC’s possible neurobiological applications and the importance of observing artistic processes in both assessment and treatment interventions.