Toward The Integration of Neuroscience and Clinical Social Work

Abstract

This article reviews recent findings in neuroscience in light of the history of social work, the scientific support for clinical social work interventions and the challenges of integrating neuroscience into academic and practice settings. Illustrations of several critical neurophysiological underpinnings of important clinical phenomena are described, including disorders of personality, defense mechanisms, attachment styles and the close relationship between ego functions and right hemisphere functions.

Keywords:

• neuroscience
• social work
• attachment
• personality disorders
• defense mechanisms
• autonomic nervous system