Get to know the minds behind Mankind—
a team of dedicated professionals committed to supporting men’s mental health. Our therapists and wellness experts bring diverse experience and specialized approaches to help men navigate life’s challenges. We understand that every journey is unique, which is why we offer tailored support to meet your needs.

Meet the Minds Behind Mankind

Rylee Marentette

Creator & Mental Health Advocate


  • Hi, I’m Rylee, and I created this clinic because I’ve seen firsthand how tough it can be for men to carry everything in silence. The pressure to have it all together. The weight of providing, performing, and protecting—while also trying to keep what's really going on inside from spilling over. I’ve watched friends, family members, and countless men try to push through pain, burnout, and emotional struggles, believing they had to handle it all alone. Believing asking for help was a sign of weakness.

    But it’s not.

    I’m not a therapist, but I’ve lived through enough of this myself and witnessed enough quiet suffering to know that mental health support for men has often been missing something. A space where you can show up exactly as you are—without fear of judgment or feeling misunderstood.

    We've all heard the same messages: "Man up," "Tough it out," "Don’t talk about it." And for a long time, many of us believed them. We buried the stress, the anger, the exhaustion, the anxiety, and the shame, thinking that’s just part of being a man. But strength isn't about suffering in silence—it’s about knowing when to reach out, to let go, and to heal. And you deserve so much more than just surviving.

    That’s why I started this clinic: to help men not just cope, but thrive. To create a space that feels real, approachable, and safe. A space where you don’t have to explain why you're tired, disconnected, or not feeling like yourself. We get it, because we’ve built this clinic for you.

    I’ve brought together a team of licensed, compassionate professionals who truly understand the unique challenges men face—whether it’s about identity, fatherhood, masculinity, relationships, work, or just figuring out how to breathe again. We do things a little differently here. No clinical jargon, no one-size-fits-all advice. Just real conversations with people who are trained to help and genuinely care.

Emily Lafeber

Clinical Director, RP, CCC

  • Hi, I’m Emily.

    As the Clinical Director of Mankind, my work is deeply rooted in both professional expertise as a psychotherapist and personal experience. I’ve long been drawn to understanding how people make sense of their inner world—how they cope, how they heal, and how they grow. But it wasn’t until my own health challenges began—when I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease—that my understanding of pain, resilience, and emotional survival deepened.

    Living with a chronic illness changed how I move through the world, and more importantly, how I show up in this work. It taught me to listen beyond words, to hold space without judgment, and to meet others—especially men who have often been told to tough it out—with genuine empathy and respect. I know what it’s like to carry something invisible, to feel misunderstood, and to navigate systems that aren’t equipped to support my specific needs.

    These experiences shape the culture and clinical vision of our clinic. We’re building a space where men can show up as they are, without shame. A place where mental health support isn’t about “fixing what's broken," but rather reconnecting to what’s been buried—strength, agency, and self-understanding.

    • Chronic Illness/Pain, Autoimmune Disease, Connective Tissue Disorders (IBD - Crohn’s & Colitis, IBS and other disorders of the gut-brain interaction, Celiac disease, Endometriosis, PCOS, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Arteriovenous Malformations and more)

    • Psychoeducation and Restoration of Gut-Brain Axis

    • Advocacy Skill Building

    • Breathing Assessments and Breathwork Techniques

    • Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Nervous System Regulation

    • Integrative Healing Methods (Holistic Mind-Body Approaches)

    • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

    • Somatic Psychotherapy

    • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

    • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

    • Physiological and Neurobiological Focused Practices

    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

    • Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy

    • Trauma-Informed Interventions

    • Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology
      Yorkville University

    • Bachelor of Arts, Honours in Psychology and Family/Social Relations
      University of Windsor

    • Accelerated Diploma in Child and Youth Care
      St. Clair College

    • Registered Psychotherapist
      College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)

    • Canadian Certified Counsellor
      Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)

    • Certified Integrative Mental Health Provider

Youssef Shehata

Registered Psychotherapist (Q)

  • Hello, I’m Youssef, 

    As a Psychotherapist, I support men in navigating life’s challenges with clarity, honesty, and knowledge, whether it’s anxiety, trauma, relationship stress, or the pressure to keep everything together.

    In today’s world, men are often expected to push through, stay composed, and keep silent about what’s happening beneath the surface. Yet research shows that men are nearly twice as likely as women to avoid seeking help for mental health concerns, leaving many to struggle in silence. Therapy with me is a space to set those pressures down to focus not on what’s expected, but on what’s real.

    I take a steady, structured approach to therapy, grounded in evidence-based methods like CBT, DBT, Emotionally Focused Therapy, psychoanalytic theory, and trauma-informed care. I work with individuals, couples, and families, as well as men recovering from high-impact events. 

    Most of the men I work with aren’t just looking for coping tools, they’re looking for growth. They want to be better partners, better fathers, better leaders. They want clarity, emotional stability, and peace of mind. My role is to help guide that process with honesty, respect, and integrity.

    Whether you’re addressing mental health, strengthening relationships, or seeking clarity in life’s transitions, my role is to provide structured, principled guidance grounded in respect and integrity.

    • Fatherhood & Parenting

    • Sexual Health & Performance Anxiety

    • Depression

    • Anxiety

    • Loneliness and Social Isolation

    • Trauma & PTSD

    • Divorce & Breakups

    • ADHD

    • Pornography & Sex Addiction

    • Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

    • Relational Psychotherapy

    • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

    • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

    • Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

    • Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy

    • Master of Arts in Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy
      Wilfrid Laurier University

    • Bachelor of Science, Honours Science
      Wilfrid Laurier University

    • Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) — College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)

    • Certified Couples Therapist — International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT)

    • Training and Certification in Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy

We recommend checking with your workplace insurance provider, as many private health insurance plans include coverage for services like this. Depending on your specific plan, you may be eligible for up to 100% reimbursement.

Yes, our services are covered by insurance.

Are you all set to book — or want to start with a free discovery call to find your best fit?