Ms. Mary Hanley

LCSW

A classic book, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. In particular, Atticus Finch has been a fictional role model of mine since I first read the book in high school. “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” I try to embody Atticus' approach to life: leading with empathy, imagining myself in someone else's position the best I can to connect more with them. I want my clients to feel that, like Atticus in the court room, I will stand up for them no matter what. Empathy is essential in loving others and for fighting for a more just world.

1) My demeanor is very calm but very attentive. I ask questions without bias; even if an answer seems obvious, no two people are exactly alike. I do my best to be thorough in getting to the root of an issue and finding solutions where applicable. 2) I am not just a mental health worker, but a social worker: I consider environmental and societal factors to be just as important as what goes on inside one's mind. Having access to things we all need such as housing, food, healthcare, and social opportunities greatly influence one's mental health. Societal oppressions and forms of discrimination should be addressed alongside the individual concerns.