As an advocate, educator, and dedicated clinical care professional, Mary Beth Hooks serves as an esteemed clinician here at the Duke Center for Autism. Mary Beth, originally from a small town in eastern North Carolina called Fremont, moved to the sprawling metropolis of the Triangle in 2004. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from North Carolina State University (NCSU) in 2008, and continued her education through training in Applied Behavior Analysis, and eventually receiving a Master of Social Work graduate degree from NCSU. After gaining clinical licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker she joined the Autism Clinic team in 2017.
Mary Beth’s passion for providing education, treatment, and support to neurodiverse individuals and their families is evident in all that she does. Having worked in the autism field since 2006, she brings an abundance of experience and valuable connections to our team. Not only does she go above and beyond in caring for her patients, but she also spends time working in community outreach and advocacy here in Durham. Currently, she is a part of a special initiative through North Carolina Psychiatry Access Line (NC-PAL) to provide consultation to community partners in support of patients with complex needs. This important work was recently recognized and awarded the START Network Partner Children’s Service Award for its significant contribution to improving the systematic care of children who experience a variety of mental health needs. We are so fortunate to have such an all-star on our team – Thank you for all of the work you do, Mary Beth!