Jane Ballard LCSW

Jane graduated from Texas A&M University in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology, and went on to receive a Master of Science in Social work in 2004 from the University of Texas at Austin.  During graduate school, Jane completed her practicum with Communities in Schools Central Texas, focusing on play therapy and group therapy with elementary school children.  Jane then completed a second practicum in Adelaide, South Australia through Flinders University, serving adults with chronic mental health issues in a community clinic.  Upon graduation, she spent 6 months providing support to older adults living in the Borough of Greenwich in Southeast London, England. 
In 2005, Jane returned to her hometown of Wichita Falls, TX where she worked as a therapist at Red River Hospital in the chemical dependency and adult mental health units, as well as serving as the Director of Adult Psychiatric Serves.  Jane relocated to Dallas in 2007, where she has continued to develop her knowledge and expertise in a variety of settings including Green Oaks Hospital; a National Institute of Health research study providing cognitive behavioral therapy and biofeedback to individuals coping with chronic pain; a private practice setting providing individual and family therapy; and the emergency department at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas providing crisis intervention and assessment to patients with mental health and substance abuse issues, as well as survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.
Jane was inspired at a young age by her mother and aunt to seek a career path assisting individuals seeking healing and personal growth.  Both of these influential women in her life sought second careers that promoted personal and spiritual growth in others – her mother became a licensed professional counselor and her aunt became an Episcopal priest.  As an adult, Jane has been deeply impacted by the loss of her mother to cancer, and found healing and peace through a supportive relationship with a therapist.  Through her own journey and positive experience with the therapy process, Jane has a developed a special interest in grief and loss, postpartum depression and anxiety, pregnancy loss, and fertility issues.  Jane also specializes in the treatment of mood disorders, anxiety, addiction, adjustment to stressful life events, and relationship issues. 
Jane is an active member of her church and enjoys volunteering with the preschool ministry.  In her free time, she loves to practice yoga, travel and experience different cultures, and spend time with her friends and family, especially her husband, Kyle, and their two young children.