The Body’s Role in Social Work: Integrating the Person-in-Environment Perspective

Dennis Saleeby is a bit of a hero of mine. Particularly his writing about strengths based practice. Definitely worth checking out – and I love the article Biology’s Challenge to Social Work – Embodying the Person-in-Environment Perspective about the importance of the physical body to social work practice so I thought I’d share with you the key points he makes from my notes. In social work, where the aim is to understand and support the individual holistically, there is a lack of attention to the body’s role and this can be problematic. Our physical bodies are more than mere vessels—they are deeply intertwined with how we experience the world and engage in social relationships. Ignoring this aspect in social work practice misses an essential part of what it means to be human. I go further than this and say that our psychology is stacked on our biology and we then take this biology and internally created psychology into the social world to present ourselves and then have ourselves (our psychology and biology) altered by our experiences in a circular relationship. But it all starts and ends with our biology.

The Body as a Social Being

The human body is not just a biological entity; it’s embedded within the social and cultural fabric of our lives. Our physical presence is shaped by, and in turn shapes, the social contexts we find ourselves in. Our relationships, roles, and even our ability to function in institutions are influenced by how we inhabit and understand our bodies. As thinkers like Michael Gazzaniga and others have pointed out, how we exist in society depends greatly on the sense and capabilities of our body, whether we realise it or not.

Survival, both biological and social, are inextricably linked. The types of relationships we have, the ways in which institutions interact with individuals, and even the opportunities available to us often hinge on the condition and perception of our physical selves. Social workers, therefore, must consider the body as part of the broader social environment, not as something separate or secondary to the person’s social experiences.

Unlocking the Wisdom of the Body

Our bodies hold a deep, intuitive wisdom that, when tapped into, can foster healing, transformation, and personal growth. The body isn’t just a passive recipient of care—it actively participates in its own healing. This understanding mirrors ideas from holistic medicine, where a good physician recognises the healer within the patient, acknowledging the patient’s inherent capacity for self-recovery.

In social work, the concept of the body’s wisdom is valuable. When social workers build therapeutic relationships with clients, recognising the body’s role in this process can be profoundly transformative. Whether it’s through somatic practices, or simply acknowledging the physical experiences of trauma, stress, or resilience, social workers can work with clients to activate their own healing potential.

Mind, Body, and Environment: A Complex Relationship

The interaction between mind, body, and environment is dynamic and ongoing. In social work, this interconnectedness forms the basis of the person-in-environment perspective, which emphasises how individuals are shaped by their surroundings and vice versa. This idea resonates with the ecological or life model, which stresses the importance of “goodness of fit” between the person and their environment. The ability to adapt to changing external demands is not only a practical matter but also a moral imperative within this framework.

Adaptation is about more than just survival. It involves growth, development, and the successful navigation of life’s transitions. But adaptation is not just a mental process—it requires the body’s active participation, which we must acknowledge when supporting clients through challenges like illness, aging, or trauma.

Critiquing the Medical Model: Where It Falls Short

The traditional medical model tends to objectify the patient’s body and overlooks the personal knowledge and experiences of the individual. It reduces people to a collection of symptoms, stripping them of agency, autonomy, and responsibility. This model is problematic for us, where the goal is to empower clients rather than pathologise them.

Social workers understand that a person’s body and mind must be integrated, not treated as separate entities. Clients must be seen as more than their illnesses or deficits – the cornerstone of strengths based practice. Empowering clients involves recognising the strength and capacity within their own bodies, rather than assuming that only professionals hold the key to healing.

The Body as a Site of Struggle

Many clients we come into contact with in social work have experienced their bodies as a site of control and oppression, whether through institutional practices, societal ideologies, or interpersonal violence. This loss of control over their bodies can diminish their sense of self-worth, power, and capability. For instance, societal expectations about gender, age, or ethnicity often dictate how people should inhabit and experience their bodies, leaving many feeling disconnected from their physical selves.

For social workers, part of the healing process is helping clients reclaim their sense of agency over their bodies. This may involve confronting issues like body image, disability, or trauma, and helping clients re-establish a positive, empowered relationship with their physical selves.

Reconnecting Mind and Body in Social Work Practice

To fully support clients, social workers must recognise that the body holds significant restorative powers. Healing is not just about resolving psychological issues—it’s about engaging the whole person, including their physical body. Forming an alliance with clients that acknowledges the body’s role in this process can open up new avenues for growth and recovery. This requires a practice model that respects the body’s role in a person’s overall well-being.

This approach doesn’t mean treating the body like a medical object rather, it involves inviting clients to engage with their bodies in a way that fosters healing. Touch, physical presence, and bodily awareness—when used appropriately—can be powerful tools for affirmation, comfort, and emotional connection.

The Strength-Based Approach: Honouring the Body’s Resilience

Social work prides itself on being a strength-based profession, and this applies as much to the body as it does to the mind. The human body is a source of resilience, vitality, and strength. When social workers recognise the body’s potential, they can better support clients in tapping into these resources to navigate life’s challenges.

Whether dealing with illness, trauma, or everyday stress, helping clients understand and reconnect with their bodies can lead to more profound and lasting changes. This holistic approach not only helps clients heal but also enables them to experience the joy, freedom, and empowerment that comes from knowing and inhabiting their bodies fully.

In Conclusion: Embodying Wholeness in Social Work

Ultimately, social work is about fostering wholeness in the individual. This requires an integration of mind, body, and environment. By recognizing the body’s importance in this equation, social workers can deepen their practice, enhance the helping relationship, and more effectively empower their clients. The body is not merely a backdrop to social and psychological issues—it’s an active, dynamic part of the healing process, and when integrated into social work practice, it can open the door to greater transformation and growth.

If you want to read the whole article by Saleeby – here it is