Sarah Balascio, MPS, MEd, ATR-BC

Meet Sarah Balascio — Board-Certified Art Therapist, Educator, and Author

With over 15 years of experience, Sarah Balascio, MPS, MEd, ATR-BC, is a nationally board-certified art therapist and dedicated educator at Maine College of Art & Design. Sarah holds two master’s degrees — one in Education specializing in integrating the arts into teaching from Lesley University and a second in Art Therapy from the renowned Pratt Institute.

Throughout her career, Sarah has brought the healing power of art therapy to diverse communities. She has practiced in major hospitals like New York Presbyterian, residential treatment centers, schools, eating disorder clinics, autism programs, and private practice. Her clinical focus spans working with children, adolescents, adults, families, and groups dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, eating disorders, addictions, sensory processing issues, and autism spectrum disorders.

Before relocating to Maine, Sarah worked for nearly a decade at William & Mary’s McLeod Tyler Wellness Center, providing therapy and teaching undergraduate art therapy courses. In Maine, she continues to empower communities as an adjunct professor and as part of ArtVan — a mobile nonprofit bringing art therapy to underserved neighborhoods across the state.

Sarah is also the author of Art Therapy Directives: An Intervention Toolbox (Routledge, 2024), a valuable resource for art therapists and mental health professionals.

Passion for Art Therapy

"Working in the field of art therapy has been one of the greatest loves of my life. I began as an art teacher and soon realized my passion was less about technique and more about how the art-making process can transform lives. This led me to pursue my second master’s degree in art therapy — a life-changing decision that shaped my career.

Whether working in hospitals, virtually supporting clients at an eating disorder center during the pandemic, or teaching art therapy students, what I love most is watching people discover their inner answers through creative expression. Expressive Arts therapy is often the breakthrough when traditional talk therapy hasn’t worked. Even people who doubt their artistic abilities find new confidence and healing through this unique approach." — Sarah Balascio

Why Choose MECA&D’s Online Programs?

Sarah believes the online Graduate Certificate in Art Therapy at MECA&D offers students unmatched flexibility, accessibility, and quality — setting it apart from many other programs:

"Students can benefit from the expertise of MECA&D’s talented faculty and innovative curriculum without relocating to Maine. My own graduate art therapy program was a low-residency model, and I know firsthand how valuable that flexibility can be for adult learners. I was able to keep working part-time, manage costs, and stay connected to my local community while pursuing a career I love.”

Learn More About MECA&D’s Online Graduate Programs

Unlock your creative potential and make an impact through the power of expressive arts therapy. Explore our flexible, community-focused online graduate programs today!