AVora began with a shared vision between Michel Arsenault and Barbara Veder — to create a more thoughtful, compassionate approach to mental health and wellbeing. Out name reflects both our founders and our purpose: to offer guidance, light, and a path forward during difficult times.
With decades of clinical and organizational experience, we brought together a trusted network of skilled professionals who share a deep commitment to quality care. Today, AVora supports both individuals and organizations through evidence-based, trauma-informed services that help prevent challenges, restore well-being, and sustain long-term resilience.
Whether supporting a person through a difficult moment or helping an organization foster a healthier workplace, our focus remains the same: meaningful care grounded in trust, expertise, and genuine compassion.
We provide Gold Standard mental health services for individuals and workplaces. Our trauma-informed, DEIA-focused approach spans prevention, intervention, and recovery, offering dynamic, resilience-based counselling, consultation, training, and policy/program review.
AVora services cater to individuals, work teams, and peer groups, ensuring a comprehensive continuum of care.
We prioritize quality service delivery and continuous improvement through program evaluation and outcome measures, reflecting our commitment to excellence in supporting psychological safety and wellbeing.
Empowering people, elevating workplaces, building success together.
Shaping thriving workplaces and inspiring lasting success.
Collaboration, empowerment, innovation, integrity. We believe in the power of working together to achieve extraordinary results.
We are dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations with innovative solutions that drive positive change.
Our commitment to integrity ensures that every interaction is honest, ethical, and aligned with the well-being of both individuals and workplaces.
These values guide our journey as we contribute to the transformative growth of people and organizations.
Michel is a leading figure in global mental health, advocating for gender diversity in corporate settings. Deeply committed to advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA), he brings a profound passion to this crucial aspect of workplace wellbeing. With expertise in crafting and executing impactful mental health and peer support strategies for businesses and their workforce, Michel excels in trauma-informed counselling, Disaster Event Management, and promoting psychological safety. Fluent in French and English, he is a trailblazer dedicated to fostering inclusive spaces that support employees on their journey to embracing their true gender identities.
Barb is an ardent advocate for fostering a positive workplace culture, emphasizing inclusivity, resilience, and leadership development. Her dedication in empowering organizations with tools and strategies for successful businesses and resilient work cultures is evident. Recognized as one of Digital Health Canada’s Women Leaders, Barb is internationally acclaimed for her best-practice leadership in Workplace Mental Health, Wellness, EAP, Global Disaster Event Management, and advanced digital mental health support. Additionally, she has made significant contributions as a published researcher in mental health program evaluation and outcome measures. Her years of Board work with organizations like EAPA, EASNA, ISRII, and others informs her current work and has connected her to a broad network of mental health and psychological experts, client groups, and DEIA advocates.
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Dr. Ivan Steenstra, PhD is a workplace disability prevention expert, human movement scientist, and epidemiologist enthusiastic about innovative ways to improve population health through immersive technologies. Over 10 years’ experience in program development and outcome evaluation. Interested in machine learning, predictive modelling, and implementing research evidence in practice related to work, health, and productivity. PhD from the Department of Public and Occupational Health at the VU Medical Center in Amsterdam. Graduate from the CIHR Strategic Training Program on Work Disability Prevention. Specialties include epidemiology, applied statistics, prediction (classification), clustering/subgroup analysis (machine learning), intervention research, and knowledge exchange. Publications can be found at https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=H-Fj8BAAAAAJ&hl=nl
For general inquiries, please email us at [email protected]
If you are interested in joining our team, please email us at [email protected]
To request service as an individual, please complete the request form found here:
To request service as an employer or organization, please email us at [email protected]
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