The Ecological Systems Approach Is Encouraging And...

By drawing this Eco-Map, it enables both myself and the family to see the vast majority of their networks and relationships are tenuous or non-existent. These relationships also include elements of stress, anger, poor communication and tension. There are in fact very few positive relationships surrounding the family. Another important aspect of the ecological systems approach is encouraging and facilitating the development of positive emotional and affiliation supports. (Lehman and Coady 2000 cited in Maidment Egan 2009) In this case study it would be an option to attribute minimal importance to the families wider environment and focus on the intervention of the individual. However it can be argued that this would have limited success,†¦show more content†¦I will consequently understand that this family has to maneuver between complex and at times conflicting systems. Thompson (2014) highlights the issue that much of the discrimination and marginalisation that individuals face is generally a result of social circumstances. He would agree that social interaction plays a part in many of the problems that individuals face today. To practice with the view of the client as expert, whilst working with an ecological perspective, would require an amount of eclecticism from me, in that I would be drawing from theories that differ from the Ecological one being discussed. Hartman (1971, cited in Payne 2014) argues that ‘... we must each make our own definition of ‘theory’ in order to practice.’ Whilst not completely making my own definition of theory, as I would not be qualified to do, I would need to draw upon other theoretical perspectives in order to practice successfully with the ecological approach as, in itself, the approach can be limited. As a worker dealing with vulnerable people and complex issues, a holistic approach is empowering in that it allows an individual to understand that they are not always solely responsible for the complex problems that they may feel compounded by, with the emphasis placed on changing environments rather than individuals. However, this perspective