In this episode, I sit down with Clarissa Kennedy—clinical social worker, founder of Reinvent Your Bliss Point, co-founder of Sweet Sobriety, and co-host of the Food Junkies Podcast—to dive deep into the intersection of trauma, embodiment, and ultra-processed food addiction.
With over 15 years of clinical experience and her own recovery journey, Clarissa shares a deeply compassionate, science-backed, and somatic approach to healing.
Here’s what we cover in the episode:
• Clarissa’s personal and professional story of overcoming addiction, eating disorders, and reclaiming her own embodiment
• Why ultra-processed foods hijack your brain—and how abstinence-based models can lead to true recovery
• How somatic practices and embodiment are key to healing binge eating and food addiction at the root
• What traditional treatments often miss—and why focusing only on thoughts and behaviors keeps people stuck
• A behind-the-scenes look at the 12-month study she and colleagues just published on its powerful results for food addiction recovery
• Practical ways to begin reconnecting with your body safely—even after trauma, disconnection, or long-standing patterns
If you’re ready to move beyond shame, restriction, and “willpower-based” recovery, this conversation will open up new, hopeful possibilities for lasting change.
🗣️ Contact and Follow Clarissa here:
Sweet Sobriety
https://www.sweetsobriety.ca
Food Junkies Podcast
https://www.foodjunkiespodcast.com
Reinvent Your Bliss Point
http://foodaddictionhelp.ca
Low carbohydrate and psychoeducational programs show promise for the treatment of ultra-processed food addiction: 12-month follow-up
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1556988/full
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00:00 — Intro: Embodiment and Safety
00:36 — Guest Introduction: Clarissa Kennedy
01:50 — Clarissa’s Personal Recovery Journey
05:14 — Discovering Somatic Work for ED's
06:14 — Why Traditional Treatments Fall Short
09:41 — Clarissa’s Definition of Embodiment
11:31 — Beginning Steps to Reconnect with Body
14:58 — Micro Practices to Build Awareness
17:08 — Why Micro Moments Matter
19:07 — Safety First: Resourcing the Body
20:40 — "BED is Disconnection, and Recovery is Coming to our Senses" Essay Section Read from Kristina's paper
25:15 — Numbing vs. True Relaxation
27:02 — Phone Addiction & Environment Triggers
30:43 — Hope for Somatic & Embodied Approaches
33:38 — Rebuilding Trust & Body Signals
36:01 — Recovery Timeline & Patience
38:17 — Clarissa & Colleague’s Research on Food Addiction
41:27 — Eliminating Ultra-Processed Foods
42:21 — Final Words & How to Connect with Clarissa
#FoodAddictionRecovery #FoodAddiction #BingeEatingRecovery #Embodiment #Somatic
Disclaimer: The information on this channel is for educational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or therapy. The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Kristina Dobyns or Beyond Binge Eating.
