Compassionate, client-centered counseling
It’s more than a tag-line
At Steadfast Counseling, I value justice, integrity and respecting the inherent worth of each person.
This is what it looks like:
Complex Trauma
I believe
- Trauma is defined by the experience and reactions an individual had to an event, not necessarily the event itself. What you define as trauma is real. You do not have to justify it.
- My job is to walk alongside you in the direction and pace you choose.
- You are not broken.
- What happened to you isn’t your fault, but it is now yours to choose what to do with.
Chronic Illness
I believe
- Your experiences are real.
- Your body may be struggling, but you are still a valuable person, worthy of respect, love, and dignity.
- We can help you find acceptance of your limitations without ever stopping the quest for better. Better functioning, better understanding. Better quality of life.
Neurodiversity
I believe:
- Neurodiversity is not a disease or a disorder. It is a naturally occurring difference in how we process the world.
- Neurodiverse brains are not broken or wrong. We are trying to thrive in a world not built for us.
- Non-judgemental acceptance of strengths and limitations open the path for creative problem solving and finding new ways to thrive.
Diana Ball, LCSW, LISW
About me
Hi, I’m Diana. I was born & raised in northeast Indiana, spent 20 years in central Kentucky, and returned to the Fort Wayne, IN area during (and because of) COVID in late 2020. I received my Masters in Social Work (MSW) from the University of Kentucky in 2011. I hold clinical licenses in Indiana, Kentucky (licensed clinical social worker/LCSW), and Ohio (licensed independent social worker, LISW). These allow me to treat clients who are physically located in these states.
While I never anticipated owning my own practice, I now can’t imagine any other way to do this work. It is truly an honor to walk alongside clients on their journeys. I
As a social worker, I believe that clients are 1) the expert in their own lives and 2) have the ability and right to determine as much about their lives as possible. This is why, regardless of why a client is sitting before me, I focus on their stories, believe their experiences, and focus on what they have capacity for in any given session.
I have worked in a variety of settings and with a variety of individuals. From adolescent residential care to homeless shelters, inpatient and outpatient mental health and/or addiction care, even as a member multidisciplinary medical teams focusing on medical case management, mental health and/or addiction treatment. These experiences have provided me with the tools to help many of my clients understand how neurobiology, thoughts & emotions, and physical bodies are interconnected. We focus on acceptance of our strengths and struggles while working to improve quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you take my insurance?
Probably. I value accessibility and have been intentional in remaining in-network for most major and localized insurance networks. I also take Medicaid and Medicare for clients in Indiana.
For information on your specific insurance plan, please contact me with your insurance details.
What if I don’t have insurance?
That’s ok. I offer out-of-pocket discounts and a standardized sliding fee scale based on income. Please each out to ask for my pricing and sliding fee information
I was referred by someone else. What will you share with them?
Absolutely nothing. While I ask where clients heard about me, it is strictly to help me understand how I am showing up in the community and online spaces. I will never disclose information another has shared without signed permission (or where required by law).
What does therapy with you look like?
I typically enjoy starting with a free brief consultation. This takes 15-20 minutes and is always conducted via phone or video. The consult is intended to be a low barrier opportunity to help you figure out my style and personality. I also screen for needs I can’t meet.
Next step is an intake. I send you paperwork to review and complete prior to the session. We spend approximately 1 hour helping me understand what brings you to therapy.
Session 2 is “Goals Day.” This is how I individualize therapy. We carve out time to identify clear goals for therapy. I spend the remainder of the time educating you about up to 2 possible paths to reaching your goals. Together, we decide what might work best for you.
Sessions 3+: After understanding where you’ve been and where you want to go, we can start working on helping you get there. Here’s where the work starts feeling like work.