Mary Takewell Hanken, LCSW, has more than eight years of experience working within the fields of social work and human services in Louisiana and Mississippi. Mary is a native of Ponchatoula, Louisiana who earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 2014 from Southeastern Louisiana University. She then went on to earn her Master of Social Work degree in 2016 from The University of Southern Mississippi. During her time in her masters program, Mary served as the president of the Student Association of Social Workers and was also named the Southern Miss School of Social Work’s Outstanding Graduate Student for her cohort. Mary has dedicated her career and her personal life to making an impact on and a difference for those she encounters.
Mary obtained her clinical social work license in 2021 and in her current professional role serves as a School Based Therapist for the Capital Area Human Services District School Based Behavioral Health Program in Baton Rouge, LA. Through her work, Mary supports a caseload of elementary aged clients with complex behavioral, emotional, and social needs by giving them individualized and specialized support. Mary has made a commitment to being a lifelong learner having earned certifications in Family Interaction Training, LivingWorks ASIST Suicide Intervention Training, Yoga4Classrooms Training, Journey of Hope, and recently completed certification through the Center for Mind-Body Medicine. Mary currently runs Mind-Body Skills Group at Capitol Elementary School and is hoping to expand these practices soon.
Mary currently, and happily, resides in East Baton Rouge Parish with her husband Cody Hanken, son Crue, and her fur-children, Bentley (dog), Dabbs (cat), and Nox (cat).