Engagement and Neuroscience: The Brain Basis of Presence, Empathy, and Collaboration

Authors

Frederick Shack, LMSW^1,4
Mardoche Sidor, MD^1,2,3
Gary Jenkins, MPA¹
Jose Cotto, LCSW^1,5
Karen Dubin, PhD, LCSW^2,4
Lesmore Willis Jr, MPA, MHA¹

Affiliations

¹Urban Pathways, New York, NY
²SWEET Institute, New York, NY
³Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Study and Research, New York, NY
⁴Columbia University, School of Social Work, New York, NY
⁵New York University, Department of Social Work, New York, NY

Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Mardoche Sidor, MD, Urban Pathways, at msidor@urbanpathways.org

Abstract

Neuroscience increasingly validates what practitioners in supportive housing and mental health have long observed: presence, empathy, and collaboration change the brain. This article explores the neurobiological basis of the Four-Stage Engagement Model—Sitting, Listening, Empathizing, Collaborating—highlighting how relational practices activate neural circuits for safety, trust, and motivation. Drawing on interpersonal neurobiology, affective neuroscience, and research on therapeutic alliance, we demonstrate how engagement supports neuroplasticity, emotion regulation, and recovery. Composite case examples from Urban Pathways illustrate how engagement practices have the potential to reshape resident behavior and staff resilience at the neural level.

Keywords

Engagement, Neuroscience, Interpersonal Neurobiology, Empathy, Collaboration, Neuroplasticity, Trauma-Informed Care, Supportive Housing

Introduction

While engagement is often framed as a “soft skill,” neuroscience confirms its biological impact. Presence regulates the autonomic nervous system, empathy activates mirror neuron systems, and collaboration engages reward circuits (Porges, 2011; Decety & Jackson, 2004). Residents in supportive housing often experience chronic dysregulation from trauma and homelessness; engagement practices restore regulation through relational neuroplasticity (Siegel, 2012). The Four-Stage Engagement Model can thus be understood as not only relational but neurobiological intervention.

Theoretical Framework

Neuroscience of engagement builds upon:

1. Polyvagal Theory: Safety and co-regulation calm the autonomic nervous system, fostering trust (Porges, 2011).
2. Mirror Neuron Research: Empathy is underpinned by neural resonance with others’ emotions and actions (Decety & Jackson, 2004).
3. Interpersonal Neurobiology: Relationships shape the architecture of the brain across the lifespan (Siegel, 2012).
4. Reward Circuitry: Collaboration activates dopaminergic pathways linked to motivation and sustained change (Murray et al., 2022).

Application/Analysis

At Urban Pathways, neuroscience-informed engagement is being demonstrated in:

• Sitting: Staff are learning to use Calm presence to reduce resident hyperarousal and improve regulation.
• Listening: Staff are learning to use Active listening to increase resident feelings of safety, reducing defensive reactivity.
• Empathizing: Validating residents’ emotions to activate mirror systems and foster social bonding.
• Collaborating: Staff are learning to use shared goal setting to engage reward pathways, reinforcing motivation for change.

Composite Case Example: A resident with trauma-related hypervigilance initially avoided contact. Through consistent calm presence and empathic listening, staff is working on facilitating nervous system regulation, which, in turn, will gradually enable collaboration on housing and health goals.

Implications

• Practice: Staff ought to understand that engagement changes brain function, not just behavior.
• Training: Neuroscience education can deepen staff appreciation of relational practices.
• Policy: Investment in engagement practices is to be recognized as neurobiological interventions.
• Research: Studies need to measure neural and physiological outcomes of engagement (e.g., HRV, cortisol, fMRI).
• Systems: Neuroscience bridges clinical and organizational buy-in for engagement models.

Conclusion

Engagement is not only relational but neurobiological. By activating circuits for safety, empathy, and reward, the Four-Stage Engagement Model has the potential to foster healing at the level of the brain, reinforcing its central role in supportive housing and systemic transformation.

References

• Decety, Jean, and Philip L. Jackson. “The Functional Architecture of Human Empathy.” Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Reviews, vol. 3, no. 2, 2004, pp. 71–100.
• Murray, Elisabeth A., Steven P. Wise, and Wayne C. Drevets. “Role of Dopamine in Motivation, Reward, and Learning.” Nature Reviews Neuroscience, vol. 23, no. 1, 2022, pp. 43–60.
• Porges, Stephen W. The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-Regulation. Norton, 2011.
• Siegel, Daniel J. The Developing Mind: How Relationships and the Brain Interact to Shape Who We Are. 2nd ed., Guilford Press, 2012.

This article is part of a collaboration between SWEET Institute and Urban Pathways.

Read the full scientific version HERE