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Pamela McQueen CDP, BA, NADC
Pamela McQueen Quick Facts
Main Areas: Addiction and RecoveryCareer Focus: Youth Addiction Counselor or Recovery Coach
Affiliation: NAADAC, WA State DOH, Seattle Pacific University
I have worked with youth in the addiction field for over 20 years. I have also worked with Adults and Families. I believe in a client-centered approach, the 12 step model with caveats and cognitive behavioral therapy. This basically means that I take each person where they are and help them move forward to another stage of functioning. I know there is a balance between confronting irrational thinking and supporting someone to change in their own time. I think few addicts who are in middle to late stage are capable of returning to non-consequential use although some have no choice such as food addicts. I have extensive education and experience but most important is that this is my passion.
Favorite Quotes & Thoughts from Pamela McQueen
Kids are not little Adults.
Treatment for youth must fit the needs of the youth, addressing complex factors of brain chemistry and development, family dynamics, motivation, social adaptation and resources available to that youth and their family.
I follow the precepts of the disease model (once manifest), the Stages of Change (for both Adults, Youth and Families) and Youth Assets Model as promoted by the YMCA.
Getting Started With Pamela McQueen
I believe that substance abuse can be treated in youth, but not in the same way as adults. They are not little adults and need different treatment. Many youth will just naturally learn from the consequences of their use and grow out of it, never or rarelly to abuse again. Then there are those who will go on to true addiction (wihether to alcohol or other things) and while it is treatable, the results may or may not be easily measured. They may not learn or put their learning to use until later in life. So even if a kid who is abusing substances doesn't immediately change, treatment is usually helpful to them at some point, but the treatment must fit the needs of the youth.
