FOUNDERS
Clarissa and Molly met in 2019 at a training program for food addiction professionals. They soon discovered that their views on addiction, recovery, treatment and sobriety aligned, but it was their passion for helping others that bonded them in friendship, and they knew they wanted to work together.
Both women are certified mental health and addiction clinicians who have over 20 years combined experience working in this field, and have been in private practice working with clients one on one, while continuing to learn and advance the field of treatment for Food addiction.
In January 2021, they partnered with Dr. Vera Tarman to launch The Food Junkies Podcast, which now has over 1/2 million downloads. Later that year, they began running clinical research groups with Dr. Jen Unwin, Heidi Giaever (UK), Charlotte Poulsen, and Frida Sandin (Sweden), which was the first of its kind audit on treatment interventions for ultra-processed food addiction. Their findings were published in Sept. 2022 in Frontiers in Psychiatry called "Low carbohydrate and psychoeducational programs show promise for the treatment of ultra-processed food addiction.” This paper is now in the top 2% of papers ever published in Frontiers and in the Top 100 papers published of all time in the online journal.
From the outset, Clarissa and Molly have dreamed of creating a community that was a modern, affordable, accessible, empowering, self-directed program that reflects individual needs and that supported people in recovery from Food Addiction. They named it: Sweet Sobriety.
Every part of you matters when you’re quitting sugar/ultra-processed foods. That’s why this holistic approach to recovery takes a comprehensive look at your thoughts, your relationships, your body, and your environment. Based on knowledge, experience, and research, Sweet Sobriety provides 11 Foundational Modules, a community where you can connect with others, NEW monthly workshops and 5 group coaching opportunities a week. AND because they can't do it alone, Clarissa and Molly have the help of Bethany Mazereeuw, RSW, who brings her unique skill set to enhance your recovery journey and Viktoria Hamma, Clinical Hypnotherapist!
Keep scrolling to get to know us a bit more!
Clarissa Kennedy, RSW, BComm
FOUNDER
Clarissa Kennedy is a distinguished Clinical Social Worker and the visionary founder of Reinvent Your Bliss Point, co-founder of Sweet Sobriety, and co-host of the Food Junkies Podcast. She has a specialized diploma in Professional Addiction Studies and brings over 15 years of invaluable experience to her practice. Her extensive professional journey spans diverse treatment settings, encompassing residential treatment, outpatient services, and private practice, demonstrating her commitment to providing comprehensive care to adolescents, adults, and families.
What sets Clarissa apart is not just her academic and professional accolades but also her deeply personal connection to the challenges her clients face. Having triumphed over her own battles with eating disorders and food addiction, Clarissa brings a unique level of empathy and understanding to her work. This personal history not only enhances her ability to relate to her clients but also enables her to establish trust and rapport crucial for effective therapeutic relationships. Embracing her role as a guide and supporter in her clients' journeys, Clarissa considers her work a privilege. Her compassionate approach to treatment goes beyond conventional therapeutic norms, creating a safe and understanding environment for her clients. Through this approach, she navigates individuals through the intricate process of change, acknowledging the nuances and complexities that accompany struggles with food addiction and eating disorders.
In adopting an integrative approach to her practice, Clarissa draws on a diverse range of interventions tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual. Her extensive training and clinical experience cover various treatment modalities, showcasing her versatility as a therapist. As a Somatically Informed Self Compassion Therapist, Clarissa incorporates bodily awareness into her practice, recognizing the interconnectedness of physical and emotional well-being. Furthermore, Clarissa's expertise extends to evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based Interventions, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) for Eating Disorders, and Motivational Interviewing. This breadth of knowledge enables her to address a wide spectrum of challenges, providing a holistic and personalized approach to each client's therapeutic journey.
Molly Painschab, NBCC, LCPC, LAC
FOUNDER
Molly Painschab is a dual-licensed mental health and addiction counselor and has worked in the field since 2005. She is co-chair of the Sugar & Food Addiction Professional Network. Molly is also a member of the Academy of Eating Disorders and in the Substance Use Disorders Special Interest Group.
Her background in addiction treatment while working with individuals being supervised by the Department of Corrections, Child Protective Services, and other Court-Ordered situations inform her solution-focused and forward-thinking style.
Molly is fueled by her belief that recovery is possible. She considers herself a ‘helper’, eager to encourage and support individuals and families on their journey to mental and emotional wellness.
Molly uses Solution-Focused Brief Therapy techniques to move clients toward the life they no longer want to escape from.
COACHES
Clarissa and Molly can't do it all on their own! You will also enjoy courses and groups facilitated by Bethany Mazereeuw, CJ Nguy, Joan Bjornsgaard, Viktoria Hamma, and Dr. Amy Reichelt!
Bethany Mazereeuw, MSW, RSW
Coach
If you have struggled with food, weight, body image and dieting, Bethany Mazereeuw understands your pain! She started dieting at about age 11, tried every diet out there, and didn't stop seeking out and trying different diets until her 50’s. She knows what it’s like to think that every failed diet is all your fault, then wonder: “Will I ever figure this out?”. She loves to help people on this road to recovery, whether that is recovery from food and sugar addiction, from dieting, from body shame, or from an unhealthy relationship with food (or all of the above!).
She uses Motivational Interviewing, Strengths-Based Therapy, her knowledge of the Enneagram, and lots of grace on this road to recovery. Her personality is warm and non-judgmental, allowing for full transparency and honesty to fully engage in discussions around food and emotions and how it affects our day to day mindset and eating. She wants to propel you further than you thought possible on your journey.
She lives in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, and has a Masters of Social Work, and is registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers. You can see her story on the Sweet Sobriety stories, and find out more about her at Symplicated.
Viktoria "Vikka" Hamma, Clinical Hypnotherapist
Facilitator
Meet Viktoria Hamma, a versatile Hypnotherapist, Registered Massage Therapist, and Personal Trainer who specializes in substance addiction, trauma, and working with diverse populations, including indigenous communities in Ontario, Canada. With a fervent enthusiasm for exploring the mind-body connection, Viktoria empowers her clients to embark on their self-healing journey.
Operating from her practice in Ontario, CA, Viktoria offers both in-person and virtual consultations to a global clientele. As an engaging speaker, she has graced numerous events and podcasts, even hosting her own show, The Subconscious Proof, to broaden the accessibility of health and wellness solutions.
Viktoria's expertise extends to developing educational programs for youth, indigenous initiatives, and addiction recovery programming. A lifetime learner, her free time is spent absorbing new insights from podcasts and audiobooks or bonding with her beloved dogs and horse. Driven by her dedication, Viktoria continues to devise practical, effective solutions in the realm of health and wellness.
To lean more about Hypnotherapy and how Vikka works with clients, please head over to www.viktoriahamm.com
CJ Nguy, Addictions Coach
Coach
CJ is a Certified Food Addiction Coach and uses her personal story of overcoming food addiction to help you find solutions and employs skills to assist you in your recovery.
She offers a profound passion for helping you navigate the challenges and triumphs of recovery.
With her knowledge of food addiction and treatments, she employs evidence-based strategies to empower individuals toward long-term healing.
Joan Bjornsgaard, NBCC, LPC
Coach
Joan Bjornsgaard is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Nationally Certified Food and Addictions Coach, who has worked in the field for more than 30 years.
She received her national certification as a Food Addiction coach last November from the Addictions Academy.
She has been in recovery from her own food addiction for more than two years and has maintained her weight loss for the first time using the principles taught by Sweet Sobriety.
Dr. Amy Reichelt
Facilitator
A recognized leader in neuroscience and neuropharmacology, specializing in psychedelic clinical development, neurodegeneration, and nutritional neurobiology, Dr. Reichelt has 15 years of expertise in translational medicine spanning from molecules to mind.
Her work as a PhD-trained neuroscientist over the past decade has been transformational in demonstrating the influence of nutrition to optimize mental health and cognition.
COGNITION NUTRITION
