About Us

AVORA is more than just a name; it’s a purposefully crafted embodiment of the vision and commitment of its founders, Michel Arsenault and Barbara Veder. The “A” and “V” stand for Arsenault and Veder, respectively, while the term “ora” adds a profound layer of meaning. With roots in Latin, “ora” symbolizes guidance, light, and the exploration of new directions. AVORA represents the fusion of its founders’ names and the illuminating guidance they provide to carve new paths in workplace well-being.

Boasting an extensive legacy of over 50 years in counselling, training, and consulting with Canadian and Global Behavioral Health providers, AVORA is synonymous with experience and expertise.

We uphold gold-standard best practices, employing trauma-informed, clinically validated, and evidence-based approaches to champion workplace psychological safety and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA). Our unique approach encompasses dynamic, resilience-based consultation and training, coaching, critical and disruptive event management, and clinical support tailored to the specific needs of diverse workplaces, including peer groups and peer-facilitated programs. Our comprehensive services span the entire spectrum, from prevention and intervention to restoring well-being and sustaining positive outcomes.

Additionally, we are dedicated to championing program evaluation and outcome measures guided by a continuous improvement philosophy. AVORA is your trusted partner in navigating the complexities of workplace well-being and fostering a culture of resilience and inclusivity.

How We Work

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.

Mission

Empowering people, elevating workplaces, building success together.

Vision

Shaping thriving workplaces and inspiring lasting success.

Values

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.

Meet Our Team

Michel J. Arsenault, MSW, RSW, (he/him; Il/lui)
Chief Operating Officer
Expert in Gender Diversity and Authenticity

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.

Barbara Veder, MSW, RSW, (she/her)
Chief Executive Officer
Passionate Advocate for Workplace Culture, Leadership Development, and Mental Health Program Excellence

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.

Kelly Beaudoin, Senior Director of Operations

Kelly is a communications expert with over 20 years of experience at the Executive Leadership level in the Employee Assistance industry. Kelly brings years of experience supporting organizations at all levels of program development and implementation, including program design and launch, corporate communications and training, and leadership support.

Counsellors

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Dr. Ivan Steenstra, PhD

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

How to Reach Us

General Inquiries

For general inquiries, please email us at [email protected]

Join Our Team

If you are interested in joining our team, please email us at [email protected]

Individual Request

To request service as an individual, please complete the request form found here:

Employer Request

To request service as an employer or organization, please email us at [email protected]

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