He is also the Head and developer of the new initiative Adolescent Clinical and Educational Services (ACES) for Problem Gambling, Gaming and Internet Addiction at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). Dr. Ballon is also currently an Education Scholar in the Addiction Program as well as the consultant psychiatrist for the Youth Addiction Services and the Problem Gambling Services at the Centre for CAMH.

Dr Ballon has received numerous awards and peer-reviewed grants for his work in addiction psychiatry, psychotherapy, education, the humanities, and his writing. His training includes a B.Sc. in Genetics, his M.D., a Psychiatry Specialist degree and two fellowships: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry. He has also received an Education Scholars Program certification. Dr. Ballon is a sought-after speaker for national and international meetings. He has special interest in different forms of media and their relationship with addiction and mental health issues. Dr. Ballon is considered an expert in the area of interactive techniques for medical education. He has designed a variety of novel psychoeducational and therapy initiatives involving the use of film, television, the internet, creative writing, theatre, magic, mentalism and art. Dr. Ballon has been a consultant and advisor to a variety of television and film productions to help create accurate portrayals of psychiatric and addiction elements. He has also created games dealing with mental health and addiction issues that have garnered him awards from the Games Manufacturers Association and international literary associations as well as academic associations and being published in academic journals.