Person-in-Environment: A Tri-Level Practice Model

Abstract

SINCE THE WAR ON POVERTY was initiated, social workers have sought to expand their focus from individual clients to clients as they function within their environment. Among educators, this emphasis has led to many philosophical arguments, the proliferation of treatment models, and the introduction of two major theories-the general-systems theory and the ecological theory. Educators have sought to develop a metatheory that would simultaneously explain human behavior at the intrapsychic, interactional, and sociocultural levels.‘ A review of the recent social work literature suggests that practitioners are indeed moving from traditional intrapsychic therapy to more systemic intervention. However, this movement appears to be spurred by increased concern with clients’ environment rather than by adoption of a specific systemic therapy.* This phenomenon may suggest that the social work profession is emphasizing personin-environment treatment approaches but not committing itself to a specific theoretical approach. Although such an eclectic approach is valid, the profession needs integrative models that broaden the perspective of workers as well