Education
Ph.D. Kansas State University, Couple and Family Therapy, 2018
M.S. Oklahoma State University, Marriage and Family Therapy, 2014
B.S. Oklahoma State University, Human Development and Family Science, 2012
Research Interest
• Posttraumatic adaptation and resiliency among survivors of complex trauma
• Biopsychosocial antecedents and consequences of complex trauma, namely among survivors of
sex trafficking
• Systemic and socio-ecologically-based intervention programs that promote posttraumatic growth among
survivors of sex trafficking
Courses Taught
MFT Theories I
Practicum in Marriage & Family Therapy
Systemic Trauma Therapy
Accomplishments
2018 K-State’s nominee for the CGS/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award, Kansas State University
2017 P.E.O. Scholar, International Chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood
2016 AAMFT Minority Fellow, AAMFT Research and Education Foundation
2016 JMFT Outstanding Doctoral Apprentice Reviewer, Journal of Marital and Family Therapy
Research Projects
RESTORE, “Research and Education with Sex Trafficking Survivors on Resilience and Empowerment.”
RESTORE is a community-based participatory research program rooted in collaborative partnerships with sex trafficking survivors, community service organizations, law enforcement officers, and interdisciplinary undergraduate, graduate, and faculty researchers. We conduct quantitative and qualitative research on the unique needs and experiences of sex trafficking survivors to improve the quality of person‐centered recovery resources available to survivors and their family members. Our team is currently carrying out the One Size Does Not Fit All study – one of the largest, and most comprehensive studies with sex trafficking survivors in the United States to date. This project is the first of its kind and results will inform the development of individualized, empirically testable recovery service models for survivors of this largely unaddressed global humanitarian crisis.
Selected Publications
Ruhlmann, L. M., & Nelson Goff, B. S. (under review). Polytrauma and biopsychosocial health profiles among sex trafficking survivors: Exploring differences in help-seeking attitudes and intentions. Manuscript under review.
Ruhlmann, L. M., Novak, J. R., Nelson Goff, B. S., Fuss, C., Gnagi, T., & Schiferl, M. (2018). Psychological and Relational Health Profiles of Soldiers in Committed Romantic Relationships. Journal of Family Psychology. Advance online publication. doi:10.1037/fam0000471
Ruhlmann, L. M., Gallus, K. L., & Durtschi, J. A. (2018). Exploring relationship satisfaction and attachment behaviors in single- and dual-trauma couples: A pilot study. Traumatology, 24(1), 27-35. doi:10.1037/trm0000129
Ruhlmann, L. M., Gallus, K. L., Beck, A. R., Nelson Goff, B. S., & Durtschi, J. A. (2017). A pilot study exploring PTSD symptom clusters as mediators between trauma exposure and attachment behaviors in married adults. Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy, advanced online publication. doi:10.1080/15332691.2017.1399848
Oseland, L. M., Schwerdtfeger Gallus, K. L., & Nelson Goff, B. S. (2016). Clinical application of the Couple Adaptation to Traumatic Stress (CATS) Model: A pragmatic framework for working with traumatized couples. Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy, 15(2), 83-101. doi:10.1080/15332691.2014.938284
*Oseland is my maiden name
