Sally Markley

I have a life long passion for creating art that has led me becoming a master’s level art therapist and licensed counselor.   I began with serious studies at the San Francisco Art institute, where I received my B.F.A. I was engrossed in exploring painting and drawing and was inspired to share this liberating process with others. I designed and led an art studio for adults with developmental disabilities at Art Works, University of Arizona. 

I also began teaching painting and basic design at Pima Community College. Two years later, I furthered my formal education at the Art institute of Chicago. I received a MFA in art therapy and displayed a complete body of work in the MFA art show. Using art to empower others became my focus. For over 15 years, I have worked as a counselor using art as a tool for healing, communicating and skill building. I have also provided talk therapy and during these difficult times, I have resorted to solely working online helping others cope, survive trauma and further their relationship connections. 

Education and Experience  

Sally has a life long passion for creating art that has led her to become a masters level art therapist and licensed counselor. She began her studies at the San Francisco Art Institute, where she received her B.F.A. Sally was impressed by the power of art to express underlying feelings and experiences and was inspired to share this liberating process with others. She designed and led an art studio at Art Works, a program affiliated with the University of Arizona.  

Sally taught at Pima Community College. Two years later, she furthered her formal education at the Art Institute of Chicago. Her coursework emphasized the clinical areas of assessment and treatment approaches of counseling, as well as the specialized modality of Art Therapy. Her training included an internship at Michael Reese Hospital psychiatric unit and clinical course work at Rush Medical School. Upon graduating, Sally received an MFA in Art Therapy in 1998. Sally then became a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Arizona.  

She is currently working in private practice working primarily with couples and trauma recovery. She continues to explore art materials, art expressions and striving for balance of her whole self.   

Community Service

She has a long standing history working in Tucson with the following organizations:  

Director of Women’s Counseling Network at the Tucson YWCA 

Volunteer Group Leader at Tu Nidito Clinician for children and families at La Frontera 

Crisis Response Worker at SAMHC (Southern Arizona Mental Health Center) 

Art Therapist at University Physicians Hospital (Health South Campus)  

Previous Board Member Head Chair Southwest of the Arizona Counselor’s Association (6 years) 

Previous Board Member President, Vice President and treasurer Arizona Art Therapy Association