A Deeper, More Social Ecological Social Work Practice

Although an ecological model of social work practice has been important to the profession since the 1970s, advances in ecological theory based on developments in deep ecology (Naess 1989) and social ecology (Bookchin 1980, 1982) inform a significantly different understanding of ecological theory on which to base an emerging practice. Earlier conceptualizations of ecology in social work, synonymous with mechanistic systems models, differ from the more mutualistic, nonhierarchical, and emancipatory use of ecological principles found in this new ecology. Eight principles are explored for their applicability to the practice of social work.