Who We Are

Joan Cantwell is a nurse, educator, and healer whose career bridges the worlds of modern health care and the healing arts. With decades of experience spanning clinical nursing, international health work, hospice care, and integrative wellness, she brings a rare depth of compassion and cultural understanding to her practice.

Her journey has taken her from bedside care to international health initiatives, supporting individuals and communities in navigating illness, loss, and transformation. 

She has explored the intersection of medicine, creativity, and spirit through her work in expressive arts and meditation.

As a university teacher of expressive arts and meditation, Joan inspires students to engage the arts as a pathway to healing, mindfulness, and human connection. Her teaching blends evidence-based health practices with contemplative traditions, empowering others to care for the whole person—body, mind, and spirit.

Joan has a certification through Project Insight  ™ Creative Journal Expressive Arts Institute ™ .

She did her training with the late Lucia Capacchione. PhD, ATR, REAT a pioneering Expressive Art Therapist.

Joan has a certification in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

Joan teaches these classes at DePaul University 

• Mindfulness Meditation and Mindfulness Meditation Retreat
• Introduction to Art Therapy
• Expressive Arts Therapy
• How, What, and Why We Eat