Saralyn Ruff

Professor Ruff received a Master in Education, a Master in Couples and Family Therapy, and a doctorate in Human Development and Family Studies. She worked in Solano County at a nonprofit clinic as a Program Supervisor and Lead Clinician, at A Home Within as Program Director, and in private practice -- all focused on the treatment of adolescents and maltreated youth.

Saralyn’s research agenda is largely rooted in her clinical experiences, focused on mental health interventions for maltreated youth. She is the Director of the Foster Care Research Group (FCRG), a lab examining best practices supporting the wellbeing of current and former foster youth. She teaches courses on general psychology, abnormal psychology, child maltreatment, psychology practicum, and advanced research methods.

• Child welfare
• Mental well-being

• Faculty Director, Horizon Collective
• Director, Foster Care Research Group
• Director of Research, A Home Within
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

• Purdue University, PhD Human Development, 2012
• University of Oregon, MEd, Couple and Family Therapy, 2006
• University of Oregon, MEd, 2003

• Ruff, S. C., Linville, D., Ramirez, C., Vasquez, N., & Schwabenland, C. (2025). Foster youth mental health outcomes: Measuring what matters. Journal of Child and Family Studies
• Ruff, S. C., Linville, D., & Hawkins, Q. (2024). A qualitative investigation of the relationships between child welfare stakeholders and research. Global Social Welfare.
• Linville, D., Ruff, S. C., Morgan, K., & Zilberstein, K. (2024). The nuances of therapeutic relationships with foster youth. Journal of Marriage and Family Therapy.
• Ruff, S., Linville, D., & Vasquez, N. (2023). “Resilience,” as Defined by Foster Youth and Key Stakeholders. Journal of Public Child Welfare, 1-31.
• Ruff, S. C. & Linville, D. (2022). Experiences of Current and Former Foster Youth in College During COVID-19. Children and Youth Services Review, 136, 106443.