Board President
Pamela Jones, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist, psychoanalyst, and trauma therapist with over 20 years of experience. Dr. Jones worked with CMC for 15 years until 2024 and now continues her family and individual trauma work in private practice, including leading an ITC parent group. She takes an eclectic approach to therapy, combining psychodynamic, motivational, cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness, and trauma-informed techniques.
Dr. Jones earned her doctorate from Adelphi University’s Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies and completed a predoctoral inpatient internship at Payne Whitney Psychiatric Clinic at New York-Presbyterian Hospital Cornell. Dr. Jones also completed a fellowship in the Outpatient Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Division. She obtained certification in psychoanalysis from New York University’s Post-doctoral Program in Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy. For the past few years, she has been pursuing certification in Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) with a focus on trauma treatment at the AEDP Institute.
In 2024, she joined the CMC: FFC board and is a strong advocate for the Invitation to Change Approach. She brings firsthand experience in applying this approach with individuals and families, both as a clinician at CMC and a past trainer for the Foundation. As President of the Board, she draws from her leadership experience, including five years as Chair of the New York Advisory Board for Peer Health Exchange and a decade-long tenure as a board member of Film at Lincoln Center, to support the Foundation’s growth and impact.
Q&A
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There are few evidence-based treatment options for those with substance use disorders, and even less for their families. The Invitation to Change Approach is a method that I have seen be extremely beneficial for families because it provides concepts and skills to help a family convey important messages to their loved ones. Connection is key to countering substance use and mental health problems: we all need to feel known, accepted, and cared for. Families begin to understand the behaviors that drive their loved one’s substance use and then learn how to invite change through behavioral and communication strategies.
I am proud to be part of a mission that helps families know there is a way, a compassionate way, to reduce isolation, despair, and shame while increasing connection, acceptance, and willingness.
There is a profound shift that happens when parents begin to look at substance use from their loved one’s perspective, instead of their own or society’s. Parents feel compassion for their child in a new way and gain a deeper understanding of the reasons why their child continues to seek substances. It is an impactful “aha” moment that is central to the training.
Be patient with yourself.
Your self-care and self-awareness are both key in staying the course throughout the entire process of change. Change is hard and takes time! Remember your willingness and continue to practice, practice, practice – something ever so useful for your loved one.