About Us
" Family Enrichment reaffirms its mission to enrich individuals, families, and communities through counselling, education, and advocacy. In particular, we turn our attention to the Wolastoqiyik, Mi’kmaq and Passamaquoddy peoples, the original caretakers of the unceded land on which we reside. We recognize our role in the work of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and commit ourselves to ongoing education, advocacy, and solidarity."
Family Enrichment and Counselling Service Inc is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and managed by an Executive Director.
Office Manager - Paula Poirier Paula has been working at Family Enrichment since September 2005. She is an Honours graduate of the Atlantic Business College. Paula looks forward to coming to work every day and this is what she has to say, “I work with a wonderful group of caring people and I believe that Family Enrichment and Counselling Service can make a positive difference in people’s lives!” Receptionist - Jennifer Paull Meet Jenn, a warm and friendly receptionist with a passion for providing exceptional customer service. With over 15 years of experience in administrative and customer service roles, Jenn strives to make every person who walks through the door feel welcome and valued. Jenn takes pride in ensuring that everyone who interacts with her has a positive experience. Her upbeat attitude and attention to detail help her create a welcoming and efficient atmosphere, making her an integral part of Family Enrichment’s team. Whether she's answering phones, scheduling appointments, or greeting visitors, Jenn is always professional, courteous, and dedicated to providing the best possible service. To reach reception dial 506-458-8211 ext. 220 Executive Director and Counsellor - Sara Vikse-Brenton, MSc (Psych), CCC, LCT Sara started as a casual counsellor with Family Enrichment and Counselling Service in 2012 and joined the staff full time in 2017. She has facilitated the Changing Tides program for women who live or have lived in aggressive relationships. Since December 2022, she has been serving in the role of Executive Director. Sara believes in harnessing the strengths of everyone with whom she comes in contact to help each individual learn to live their best life. Clinical Supervisor - Tracy Houlding, L.Lb., M.Ed., CCC Tracy provides counselling to individuals and couples. She has completed advanced training in Emotion Focused Therapy for Couples, as well as training in Gottman Couples Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, working with survivors of sexual violence, the treatment of depression and anxiety, stress management and cognitive behavioural interventions for emotional eating. She particularly enjoys helping people work through major life transitions by helping them access their own strengths and resources. |
Clinical Psychologist - Tom McAvity, Lic. psychologist Tom is a psychologist who offers mental health counselling to people dealing with depression, anxiety, anger, hypertension, PTSD, and addictions. Before coming to Family Enrichment in 2005, Tom worked on the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Team with New Brunswick Community Mental Health and Addiction Services from 1989 to 2010. He has been practicing meditation and mindfulness since beginning with Transcendental Meditation in 1972, and has been practicing and teaching various forms of mindfulness and meditation based therapies since 1993. |
Counsellor - Annie Godbout, RSW,MSW Annie sees clients virtually and primarily works with individuals 16 years of age and up who are experiencing anxiety, depression and other life challenges. Her goal is to create a comfortable space for her clients to talk about what’s going on in their lives and to work with them on finding the solutions that will work best for them. Annie offers services in both English and French. |
Counsellor - Alexander (Sandy) Gordon, MSW, RSW Sandy has worked part time at Family Enrichment since 2002. Before 2002, Sandy worked for 26 years with the provincial government in child welfare programs, primarily child protection. Sandy provides individual, couple, and family counselling. He specializes in men’s anger management and domestic violence issues. Sandy is committed to helping clients make sense of their lives and find positive solutions to situations of personal conflict and discouragement. Sandy facilitates the Changing Ways Program for men. |
Counsellor - Alyssa Boudreau, M.Ed, LCT-C, CCC Alyssa provides counselling to adolescents and adults with a variety of concerns including anxiety, depression, relationships and stress management. Alyssa works from a strengths-based and interpersonal process approach, and has received training in Emotionally-Focused Individual Therapy. Alyssa co-facilitates the Changing Perspectives Group for Teens. |
Counsellor - Marilia Paulon, MSW,RSW Marilia is a Brazilian-born therapist who has a passion for helping individuals overcome the challenges of anxiety, depression, ADHD, and other mental health concerns. Her therapeutic approach is grounded in a relational model, which emphasizes building a strong therapeutic relationship with her clients. She has a special interest in youth-related issues and has worked extensively with young people and their families to promote mental health and wellbeing. Marilia offers services in both English and Portuguese. |
Board of Directors

President - Bruce McClary
Bruce is an Information Technology Programmer/Analyst Instructor at NBCC- Fredericton Campus. He joined the Board of Family Enrichment in January 2016 and was appointed Chair in September 2017. Bruce believes in the high quality counselling Family Enrichment provides to thousands of clients every year. - Being an active member of the Board is Bruce’s way to give back to the community.
Vice-President - Laurie Guthrie, DeB,DIS
As a long-serving employee of the City of Fredericton, Laurie Guthrie has worked primarily in the field of economic development - spearheading various strategic initiatives to cultivate economic growth, and to earn Fredericton’s brand equity as a ‘Smart City’ and ‘Startup Capital of Canada’.
As Vision 2020 Project Manager, Laurie steered the consultant and 250 stakeholders in the development of Fredericton’s economic development strategy - resulting in a five-year secondment to the community’s economic development agency to facilitate implementation of Vision 2020. She led the rebranding of Ignite Fredericton; creation of task forces to drive priority sector growth; and development of the region’s investment attraction strategy and tool-kit. Laurie also managed the Marketing & Communications Division of Ignite Fredericton, Planet Hatch and Knowledge Park.
Treasurer - Tyler Szo, BBA, CPA
Tyler, originally from Harvey Station, completed his accounting designation in 2016 and has sat on numerous boards in Fredericton. He came to Family Enrichment in June of 2018. Being the Treasurer allows Tyler to use his skill set to give back to the community through the wonderful organization Family Enrichment is.
Secretary - Lisa O'Blenis
Lisa is a versatile operations manager with experience in both for profit and non-profit sectors. She is a self-starter whose drive and sense of urgency are tempered and disciplined by a concern for quality and accuracy. Imaginative and creative, a source of soundly thought out ideas, strategies, and a skillful problem-solver.
She consistently uses the synergistic power of team planning to achieve goals while promoting a culture of trust and respect.
Lisa joined Family Enrichment in April 2021.
Director - Andrew Moss -JD
Andrew joined Family Enrichment in October 2021. He is the cofounder of Moss-Hachey Law.
Andrew is active in:
• Primarily insurance defense litigation;
• Appeared as lead counsel before New Brunswick’s Provincial Court, Court of Queen’s Bench, and Court of Appeal, as well as Federal Court;
• Represented clients at pre-trial settlement conferences, mediations and arbitrations; and
• Drafted wills, powers of attorney, liability waivers, commercial contracts, incorporation documents, minutes of settlement, and release agreements.
Director - Janet Moser
biography will follow shortly