What Is Holism?

Holism is an approach that emphasizes the whole rather than their constituent parts. Simply put, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. It is opposite to reductionism, which attempts to understand and describe human behavior in terms of simple components.

 

Holism has a premise that the self has an innate capacity and search toward wholeness. Holism views suffering not as a pathology, but as part of the human and spiritual condition. This is because not addressing any facet of self negates self. Holism is integrative in nature.

 

Holism is used for severe pathologies. There is science in holism! Everything is interrelated. Holism often thinks symbolically in order to further grasp complexity. It aims to integrate parts of the self that are disavowed, also known as a shadow. This is so we don’t further fragment ourselves for having parts that other parts of us are trying to ward off. 

 

In Psychotherapy, holism trusts the client’s intuition and has faith in the client’s own process. Holism sees the self as a tool for growth, and surrendering self. This means that I am doing therapy with you, not to you. Holism emphasizes the relational nature of therapy.