Ruth Aikens
About Ruth Aikens
Ruth Aikens is a Senior Counsellor and Special Advisor at the Department of National Defence in Ottawa, Canada, where she has worked since 2016. She holds a Master's degree in Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University and has extensive experience in trauma expertise and leadership support for the Canadian Armed Forces.
Work at Government of Canada
Ruth Aikens has been employed at the Government of Canada since 1980, accumulating over 15 years of experience in various roles, including Employment Counsellor. Since 2016, she has served as a Senior Counsellor (Social Worker) at the Department of National Defence (DND) in Ottawa, Ontario. In this role, she provides clinical supervision and mentoring to a team of coordinators. Additionally, she has worked as a Special Advisor at DND since 2020, focusing on providing trauma expertise and advice to leadership within the Canadian Armed Forces.
Education and Expertise
Ruth Aikens holds a Master's degree in Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University, which she completed from 1999 to 2000. Prior to that, she earned a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Laurentian University/Université Laurentienne, studying from 1995 to 1999. Her educational background supports her expertise in trauma-informed care, and she has developed and delivered the Trauma Informed Institutions model specifically for the Canadian Armed Forces.
Background
Ruth Aikens has a diverse background in social work, beginning her career in 1980 with the Government of Canada. She worked in various capacities until 1995, when she transitioned to the Military Family Resource Centre - National Capital Region as the Manager of the PSI Team from 2015 to 2016. Her extensive experience in social work and her roles within the Department of National Defence have positioned her as a key contributor to the well-being of military families and personnel.
Achievements
In her current role at the Department of National Defence, Ruth Aikens actively participates in working groups that provide advice to the Canadian Armed Forces. She acts as a subject matter expert on sexual misconduct, contributing to the development of programs and resources aimed at addressing these issues. Her work includes providing trauma expertise and enhancing the professional development of her team through clinical supervision and mentoring.