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The Micro, Mezzo, & Macro Levels of (Eco-) Social Work Practice

Because of the complex, interdisciplinary nature of social work, social workers are often required to work in increasingly diverse contexts and settings. A consequence of this is that social workers are sometimes require to engage in social work practice that takes place at different 'levels.' 

 

Gray and Bernstein (1996) offer a succinct summary of the concept of different 'levels' of social work:

 

Generally, [social workers] talk about social work practice taking place at various or different levels and by this is meant social workers work with individuals and families (direct practice, which can be therapeutic or clinical, though this is less likely within a developmental social work model), with groups of people, with communities (through groups of people or advocating on behalf of sectional interests) and at the policy level to change unjust policies and practices and achieve a more just and equitable distribution of resources for those whom they serve. (p. 1, reference 1)

 

Currently, there are three widely recognized levels of social work practice: micro, mezzo (meso), and macro social work. Although these levels are often spoke of as if they are distinct, it is important to recognize that these 'different levels' occur in tandem and constantly influence the other levels.

Figure 1. Hierarchy of social work practice levels (created by creators' of the website)

 

MICRO SOCIAL WORK

 

Micro social work is among the most common type of social work practice (and is often how most people imagine social workers providing services). In micro social work, the social worker engages with individuals and families in order to solve intrapersonal and interpersonal problems. Common examples of micro social work pratice settings include counselling centers, hospitals, and social service agencies, where social workers help individuals to find appropriate housing and access mental, health, and social services. Family therapy and individual counseling services also fall under the auspices of micro practice, as does the treatment of people suffering from a mental health condition or substance abuse problem (references 2 and 3).

 

MEZZO (MESO) SOCIAL WORK

 

Mezzo social work practice deals with small-to-medium-sized groups, such as neighborhoods, schools or other local organizations. Examples of mezzo social work include community organizing, management of a social work organization, and practice that focuses on institutional or cultural change (rather than individual clients). Social workers engaged in mezzo practice are often also engaged in micro and/or macro social work (as this ensures the needs and challenges of individual clients are understood and addressed in tandem with larger social issues) (references 2 and 3).

 

MACRO SOCIAL WORK

 

Macro social work involves intervening in large, high-level societal systems. Examples of macro social work include lobbying to change a health care law, organizing a state-wide activist group, or advocating for large-scale social policy change. Macro practice is often touted as being one of the key distinctions between social work and other helping professions (such as psychiatry or medicine). Macro social work also generally addresses issues experienced  in mezzo or micro social work practice, as well as issues in social work research. Effective macro practice can empower clients by involving them in systemic change (references 2 and 3).

 

 

Figure 2. Intersecting areas of all three levels of social work practice (created by creators' of the website)

 

The following are just some of the examples of possible eco-social work actions for all three levels of practice:

 

Examples of Micro Eco-Social Work Practice:

 

Clinical therapy with individuals, families, and groups:

 

  • People struggling with loss: of jobs, of homes and financial security, of sacred natural place, of community.

 

  • Family therapy due to increasing conflict in the home as stress increases.

 

  • Working with people who are feeling increased stress, depression, anxiety, other mental health concerns.

 

  • Trauma work with people who have been in natural disasters or involved in scarcity related conflicts, including refugees.

 

  • Working with people experiencing spiritual distress caused by loss of place, sacred space and understanding of place in the world.

 

Case management:

 

  • Dealing with scarcity issues: lack of income, housing, food, etc.

 

  • Working with war and climate refugees.

 

Medical social work:

 

  • Working with an increasing number of clients with health issues and disease due to worsening air and water quality.

 

  • Working in a system trying to mitigate the effects of more disease being spread because of changing climate patterns (i.e. the Zika virus, malaria, dengue fever, cholera).

 

Examples of Mezzo/Meso Eco-Social Work Practice:

 

Support and advocacy work with:

 

  • Communities and populations impacted by natural disaster and/or resource extraction.

 

  • Refugee communities.

 

Community development and activism:

 

  • Working to develop sustainable communities (i.e., local economies, food security, skill building).

 

  • Working to reduce and eliminate community fossil fuel dependence

 

Acting on social justice issues (look at how people situated with less power in society are most affected by climate change):

 

  • Organizational policy and structural change to support an integration of eco-social work practice.

 

  • Creation of large scale education and action campaigns

 

Examples of Macro Eco-Social Work Practice:

 

  • Working with different levels of government to develop policy that will reduce air, water, and soil pollution.

 

  • Supporting Indigenous rights and autonomy over their land and resources.

 

  • Working in economic development to support sustainable economies.

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  • Advocating for the use and development of renewable resources.

 

  • Working on divestment campaigns targeting public and private institutions 

 

 

For more information on the different levels of social work practice, check out the video (reference 3) posted below: 

References:

 

1. Gray, M., & Bernstein, A. (1996). Social work: A beginner's text. Cape Town, South Africa: Juta. Retrieved from  http://www.academia.edu/2910856/Social_Work_A_beginners_text_-_Chapter_6_Social_Work_Practice

 

2. bchilds. (2012, July 20). Macro, mezzo and micro social work [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://socialworklicensemap.com/

macro-mezzo-and-micro-social-work/

 

3. USC School of Social Work. (2014, March 4). Introduction to social work (extended version) [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJXRB1V5eVw

 

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