Holistic Psychology: a Whole-Person Mental Health Approach

The word holistic comes from holism, a term coined by South African statesman Jan Smuts in his 1926 book Holism and Evolution. Smuts argued that understanding complex things, like humans, as whole, integrated systems is more powerful than focusing on single parts or symptoms. Holistic psychology brings that idea to mental health.

What is holistic psychology?

Holistic psychology is an approach to mental health that considers the whole person: mind, body, and spirit.

From my perspective, and that of many others who practise holistically, human beings are wonderfully complex. Our minds, bodies, and spirits all shape how we live, how we recover from injury, and how we move through challenges and adversity.

What is a holistic approach to therapy?

Holistic therapy is an integrative approach that considers the whole person in the search for health and well-being.

It focuses on how physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health are connected. By looking at all parts of a person's life, holistic therapy aims to create balance and harmony.

The opposite of a holistic approach is reductionism, which tries to understand complex things by looking at their smallest parts, one at a time.

Our Western medical model tends to treat the symptom, whatever is showing up most obviously. This is deeply woven into the training and practice of many health professionals here in the Western world.

For example, a symptom-focused approach to sleep problems might mean relying on sleep medication. A holistic approach leaves the door open for medication when it's appropriate, but also considers the many things that can disrupt sleep.

Things that can get in the way of sleep include:

• no consistent sleep routine
• nutrition that isn't meeting your needs
• chronic pain or discomfort
• not enough movement
• stress, and the list goes on!

Holistic therapy offers a chance to look at what's getting in the way of your sleep, and to learn specific tools and skills to quiet a busy mind at night, balance nutrition, manage pain, move your body in healthy ways, or reduce stress.

What does holistic therapy focus on?

In holistic therapy, you might explore how your sleep, nutrition, movement, relationships, values, body, and emotions affect your life.

Sleep: How long and how well you sleep, along with your sleep habits and routines.

Nutrition: Possible food sensitivities, what healthy meals look like for you, food for your brain, healthy habits, and areas where you might want to grow or change.

Movement: Most of us could use more movement. You might look at where and when you already move your body, and how to add more variety and intensity.

Social connections: How to tell whether relationships are healthy, which ones to focus on and nurture, and which ones you may need to loosen your grip on, or even let go of.

Values: Clarifying your core values, so they can drive motivation and guide decisions. Clear values can also help buffer against decision fatigue.

Body: Learning about your own body language, which can be a powerful tool for bridging the mind-body connection.

Emotions: Building emotional literacy, so you can notice, name, feel, and express your emotions more clearly. This can lead to a deeper sense of well-being, and make it easier to tell others what you want and need.

Holistic Therapy in Alberta

If you've been looking for care that considers your whole self, reaching out for support can help.

Holistic therapy offers a space to work with your mind, body, and spirit together. A therapist can help you build a deeper, more connected sense of well-being.

You are more than any one symptom.

This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

If you or someone you care about is in crisis or at risk of harm, please get help now. Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department. You can also call or text 988 any time for suicide and crisis support. For more options, see our crisis support page.

About the Author

Laura Romero is a Registered Psychologist and holistic therapist who specializes in working with teen girls and adults with anxiety, ADHD, depression, grief, relationship challenges, and trauma. She practises attachment-based therapy, holistic therapy, internal family systems therapy, spiritual psychology, and trauma-informed therapy.