About Us
mission statement
Meet our team
Aida Garcia
MSW, LCSW-CAida Garcia is a highly experienced mental health professional with over 20 years of expertise in clinical psychology and social work. A graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, with an MSW from the University of Maryland at Baltimore, she has over 15 years of experience in inpatient psychiatric facilities, specializing in working with the chronically mentally ill, vulnerable individuals, and those with co-occurring conditions. Aida has also dedicated nearly a decade to supporting victims of crime and sexual assault and providing psychotherapy to a diverse range of clients.
Aida’s therapeutic approach is highly individualized, emphasizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) while adapting to each client’s needs. She also has over a decade of experience supervising social work students and LMSWs, mentoring the next generation of mental health professionals.
As the Clinical Director at Next Generation Wellness (NGW), Aida leads with empathy, evidence-based practices, and a dedication to accessible mental health care, making NGW a trusted community resource.
JayLynn Mayo
MSW, LMSWAs a biracial therapist, JayLynn brings extensive experience working with both adolescents and adults, helping them navigate a variety of mental health challenges with empathy and expertise. For adolescents, she specializes in addressing issues such as depression, anxiety, impulsivity, family conflicts, and significant life transitions. Her approach fosters resilience and personal growth while encouraging family involvement when appropriate, creating a collaborative and holistic care plan tailored to each adolescent’s needs.
For adults, JayLynn draws on her background working with acute and chronic mental health conditions, including experience in inpatient psychiatric settings. This diverse expertise allows her to support individuals in managing complex diagnoses, developing coping strategies, and achieving meaningful progress in their lives.
JayLynn integrates evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Solution-Focused techniques, while also incorporating creative methods like art, music, and games to make therapy engaging and accessible. Her client-centered practice is built on meeting individuals where they are, tailoring each session to their unique strengths and goals. Whether working with adolescents or adults, her focus is on providing a safe, supportive space that empowers clients to heal, grow, and thrive.
John (Jack) Venezia
MSW, LCSW-CJack Venezia is a clinical social worker with experience working on inpatient hospital units, a residential crisis team, a mobile crisis team, an Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team, in a school setting, and now as an outpatient therapist. Jack primarily works with young adults and older teens experiencing Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, and Depression. Jack uses an integrated therapy approach influenced by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Informed Care, Humanistic Psychology, and Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Jack enjoys tailoring his therapeutic approach to each client he sees. Jack graduated with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Philosophy from the George Washington University in 2018 and graduated with a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) from the University of Maryland, Baltimore in 2022. When he is not working, Jack enjoys watching and playing soccer.
Lawrencia Addo-Darko
DNP, CRNP-PMHNPDr. Lawrencia Addo Darko is a doctorally prepared Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with expertise in mental health care across diverse populations. She earned her Doctorate in Nursing Practice from the University of Maryland Baltimore School of Nursing. Dr. Addo Darko has worked in the inpatient and emergency psychiatry services for over six years, serving adult, geriatric, child, and adolescent populations in primarily underserved communities. With a foundation in advanced clinical training and a deep understanding of psychiatric disorders, she specializes in providing evidence-based treatments, including psychotherapy and psychopharmacology, to address complex mental health needs.
Dr. Addo Darko’s doctoral education gives her a unique perspective on integrating research, clinical practice, and holistic patient care. Thus, she provides inclusive care that considers an individual’s cultural background, religion/spirituality, sexual orientation, and experiences of the individual that will help in recovery. She likes to go on trips with family and friends in her free time. She finds herself lost in the world of documentaries on different issues and good classic British literature. Committed to continuous learning, she stays abreast of emerging trends and advancements in psychiatric care to deliver innovative and compassionate solutions. Dr. Addo Darko sees patients via Telehealth and in person and accepts most major insurances.