Holistic Wellbeing Through Art Therapy

We have all heard the word “holistic” by now, in various contexts of mainstream and alternative physical and mental healthcare. We definitely want it, but what is it, really, and how can art therapy give it to us?

According to professors Kristofferson and Clarke, the definition is evolving. They say the term “now encompasses a vast healthcare ecosystem, comprising professionals with distinct functions, roles, and responsibilities.”

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The term was first introduced by philosopher Jan Smuts in 1926. He called it “the ultimate principle of the universe” in his book Holism and Evolution. On the most simplistic level, he is reminding us that wholes are more than the sum of their parts. More specifically, “All wholes are self-creative striving towards greater complexity.” and that “The further the evolutionary development of a whole has reached the greater the capacity for independence”(Jörgenfelt, Partington). When applied to people and health, EURACT (a prominent medical education authority) says a holistic approach “deals with health problems in their physical, psychological, social, cultural, and existential dimensions” (Freeman).

I am an Art Psychotherapist in Calgary and I like the sound of that. Including psychological, social, cultural and existential factors in a vision for good health makes sense to me. Self-creative striving reminds me of Abraham Maslow’s concept of self-actualization, in which human beings have an innate drive towards a higher fulfillment that includes an overall contentment and satisfaction with life (Selva). It also reminds me of Carl Jung’s concept of individuation, in which life is a continual journey of becoming ourselves, in ever deepening and more fulfilling ways (Fraser-Thill). Art therapy provides a means to explore and express these inner experiences in a way that can contribute to holistic wellbeing. 

Working at a wellness clinic that supports healing through multiple therapeutic professions, the concept of holistic wellbeing reflects the variety in our offerings. We create the opportunity for our clients to discover more ways to create whole-person health by addressing the body, mind and spirit with therapies that compliment conventional care.

In a 2021 systematic review, Tongtong Li and colleagues explored various Body-Mind-Spirit interventions aimed at promoting holistic wellbeing. They described the different approaches used to address each aspect of body, mind and spirit separately. In 16 of the 19 studies reviewed (where intervention details were available) art was used to cultivate wellbeing in the mind and/or spirit. This was particularly gratifying to read as an art psychotherapist who has witnessed much personal growth and positive transformation through clients’ artistic explorations. In my experience, art truly does open space for wellbeing in the mind and spirit. Dedicating my time and energy to wellbeing through art therapy is motivated by the concept of holistic wellbeing. To me, health is incomplete without including body, mind and spirit, as an integrated system, and art is recognized as a means to address the mind and spirit. 

Art-making is as old as human beings and I believe it has an important role in the care and maintenance of our mind and spirit. In art therapy, anyone can make art. Skill and the final product are not the focus. In fact, sometimes there is no final product – when materials are returned to their original state after creative engagement, transformed or recycled in a therapeutic way. Art therapy differs from traditional art in that we are not striving to perfect skills and techniques, create decorations, or make an object of admiration. Art therapy focuses more on creativity, exploration, understanding, authentic expression, meaning-making and personal evolution towards greater wellbeing. 
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Art psychotherapists (AKA art therapists) in Canada are trained at a post graduate level with an undergraduate degree in art and psychology followed by art therapy training in counseling, psychology and art together. Find out more by clicking here, or book an appointment to try it for yourself. 

-- Rebecca Rowley, Art Therapist

References:
​Fraser-Thill, Rebecca. Verywell Mind. “What Is Individuation in Psychology?” Updated on September 15, 2025,
https://www.verywellmind.com/individuation-3288007 
Freeman, Joshua. “Towards a definition of holism.” British Journal of General Practice, 2005. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1463203/
Jörgenfelt, Chris, and Partington, Hazel. “A critical analysis of J.C. Smuts’ theory of holism.” European Journal of Integrative Medicine. Volume 31, 2019. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1876382018310060
Kristoffersen, Lars, and Clarke, Andrew. “Integrating Holistic Approaches in Healthcare: Challenges and Opportunities for Professionals.” International Journal of Management Practice and Innovation. Volume 11 Issue 4, 2023, https://hollexpub.org/J/index.php/2/article/view/711/434
Li, Tongtong, et al. “A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials on Interventions Adopting Body-Mind-Spirit (BMS) Model on Holistic Well-Being.” 2022, 
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9168865/
Selva, Joaquin. Positive Psychology “What Is Self-Actualization? Meaning, Theory + Examples.” 2017, https://positivepsychology.com/self-actualization/