Sarah Bal is a clinical psychologist with a PhD in Psychological Sciences. In 2003, she completed her PhD with a thesis entitled 'Adaptation to Sexual Abuse: The Role of Appraisals, Coping and Social Support', the first large-scale study of sexual abuse among children and young people in Flanders. She is a professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology at Ghent University.
As a clinical psychologist and cognitive behavioural therapist, she worked in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Ghent University Hospital for 22 years, supporting children, young people and their families. She also runs a private practice for children, young people and young adults. She is the driving force behind the Care Campus for students in Ghent, established in March 2025. The campus focuses on the early identification and intervention of mental health issues among all Ghent students.
Sarah Bal is an expert on chronic stress and trauma in children and young people. She has written two books: Sta Sterker: A Behavioural Therapy-Based Social Skills Training Programme for Young People, published by Lannoo, and Wat Als We Er Samen Over Praten? Conversations Between Young People and Their Parents When Things Get Tough, published by Pelckmans. She is also one of the therapists featured in the VRT programme ‘Therapie’, which ran for three series. She gives lectures and is frequently consulted by the media as an expert.
