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 300,000 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 are joined by two colleagues that also bring their unique skill sets to enhance your recovery journey!
Keep scrolling to get to know us a bit more!
Clarissa Kennedy, RSW
FOUNDER
Clarissa Kennedy is a Clinical Social Worker and the founder of Reinvent Your Bliss Point. She has a diploma in Professional Addiction Studies and is a registered member of the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals. She has over 14 years of experience working with adolescents, adults and families in a wide range of treatment settings, including residential treatment, outpatient services, and private practice.
Clarissa has a personal history of recovery from eating disorders and food addiction which helps her connect and build trust with clients. She views working with her clients as a privilege and through her compassionate approach to treatment, she guides and supports her clients through the process of change. She prides herself on teaching individuals actionable solutions to problems that occur when they are struggling with food addiction and eating disorders.
Clarissa provides an integrative approach using interventions that can address a wide range of challenges. She has training and clinical experience in various treatment modalities, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based Interventions, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) for Eating Disorders, and Motivational Interviewing.
Molly Painschab, 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.
FACILITATORS
Clarissa and Molly can't do it all on their own! You will also enjoy courses and groups facilitated by Bethany Mazereeuw and Jennifer Bradley!
BETHANY MAZEREEUW,
MSW, RSW
I've struggled with weight, food and body issues since I was a child. I've tried just about every diet available, from Weight Watchers (many times...even became a leader!) to SlimFast to juice fasting to slow carb to keto to intermittent fasting to cognitive behavioural therapy to trying to simply accept my "fat genes".
When I first heard about sugar addiction, I scoffed and thought, "That’s not me...I can cut back anytime I want". That classic denial should have been my first clue.
It took a mind shift, coaching and a support group of fellow sugar addicts, but it did happen. Since giving up sugar in ALL its forms (refined carbohydrates, fruit and sweeteners), and learning how to build a life of recovery, I have finally discovered freedom. And somewhere along the way, my obsession with weight loss has also been left behind.
Now I want to help others find that same freedom. No matter what your situation, this freedom from sugar is possible.
Having earned a Masters of Social Work, I love to offer high challenge and encouragement to help you achieve things you didn’t think were possible. I like to help you to think critically in order to make sustainable changes in your life.
JENNIFER BRADLEY, BSW, AS Mental Health
My goal is to help you re-imagine your life. I will be with you every step of the way. With personal and professional experience I will help you attain your goals.
I have been there, with my weight fluctuating up and down with my lowest weighing in at 120 pounds and my highest weighing in at 280 pounds. I know what it feels like to want so badly to be free from the bonds that sugar had on me and not understand why I couldn't control the urges. Until I learned that I was addicted to sugar and that I needed to abstain from sugar and carbs to finally be free. It was at this time that I connected with others on this journey to find food freedom. I have never felt better! And now I want to help others have that same freedom.
Committing to a healthier lifestyle is just that – a commitment, and it’s a big one that will take a lot of dedication. My commitment is to provide you with accountability, understanding, and support.