Dr. Zerek Mayes, EdD, LCSW

Dr. Zerek D. Mayes created The Transformation Lab from a simple but profound belief: healing is not the end goal — formation is. Holding a Doctorate in Education (EdD) and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential, with over 15 years of experience spanning clinical practice and education, Dr. Mayes brings a rare integration of intellectual rigor, cultural depth, and relational warmth to every interaction.

His work is not built on symptom management. It is built on the belief that people are not broken — they are structurally unfinished. Through The Mayes Method™ and the From Rock to Root™ framework, Dr. Mayes guides individuals, couples, and organizations through a structured process of becoming — moving from stabilization and safety, through relational repair, into integrated identity and embodied purpose. That process unfolds across four modalities: therapy, intensives, cohorts, and leadership development — each one a different entry point into the same formation.

Dr. Mayes' dedication to equity and access runs through everything he does. His work in public education, the non-profit sector, and organizational consulting is grounded in the same formation-centered philosophy: that diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are not programs to implement — they are conditions to cultivate. He is recognized for his innovative approaches to professional development, social-emotional learning, anti-racism, and systemic justice.

Closely connected with Aurora University in Illinois, Boise State University in Idaho, and the University of Central Florida, Dr. Mayes focuses on higher education, leadership, and the intersection of clinical practice and institutional change. He currently serves as a Clinical Program Director, furthering his lifelong commitment to restoring hope in human value through progressive thinking, a curious nature, and a compassionate demeanor.