Clarissa Kennedy

RSW
Registered Social Worker
I believe recovery is not about shame, perfection, or willpower, but about helping people reconnect with themselves through self-compassion, embodied awareness, community, and sustainable change

Clarissa Kennedy is a Clinical Social Worker, 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 experience to her practice. Her 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.

Background & qualifications

  • Food Addiction Counselling Diploma - NBRCB, 2018
  • B.SW - Laurentian University, 2016
  • Addiction Careworker Diploma - McMaster University, 2012
  • B.Com Hospitality & Food Administration - University of Guelph, 2003
  • Hotel, Motel & Restaurant Management Diploma - Niagara College, 2001

Experience & areas of focus

What sets Clarissa apart is not her professional accolades but 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.

Approach to care

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 clinical experience covers various treatment modalities such as Somatically Informed Self Compassion Therapy, 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.

Associations, media, publications