Certified Food Addiction Counselors

Dear INFACT Community, 

We’re honored to share a deeply moving new episode of the Food Addiction Podcast, featuring Barney Reason—a Certified Food Addiction Professional, dedicated recovery advocate, and living testament to the power of transformation.

Barney’s journey began in chaos—surviving 16 homes in 16 years, navigating a childhood marked by abuse, neglect, and emotional invalidation. He had his first drink at 7, and by 25, was sober from alcohol. But as one addiction ended, another intensified: his food addiction escalated, taking him to 365 pounds and deeper emotional pain.

In this episode, Barney opens up about:

• His lifelong battle with food, alcohol, and drug addiction

• The emotional roots of compulsive behavior

• The turning points in his recovery journey

• Finding lasting freedom through 12-step recovery

• His work today helping others find sobriety from addictive eating through SHiFT’s Intensive Program

Barney is now on staff at SHiFT: Recovery by Acorn, a leader in food addiction treatment for over three decades. He uses his lived experience to guide others toward freedom from addiction—because he’s lived it, survived it, and now thrives beyond it.

🎧 This is a conversation about pain, resilience, and the incredible gifts of recovery. You don’t want to miss it.

Proudly sponsored by:

✨ SHiFT: Recovery by Acorn
Helping people heal from food addiction for over 30 years, SHiFT’s 12-week program and alumni support network offer effective, compassionate care. Schedule your free 30-minute consultation today at foodaddiction.com or call 941-378-2122.

✨ Milestones in Recovery
Located in southeast Florida, Milestones offers residential and outpatient treatment for eating disorders and food addiction, with most insurance plans accepted. Learn more at milestonesprogram.org or call 1-800-347-2364.

I’m excited to invite you to a free online introduction to the INFACT School’s Certified Food Addiction Professional (CFAP) Training Program on Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 10:00 AM Eastern Time.

In this 1-hour session, you'll gain a clear overview of our internationally recognized certification and learn how you can:

• Support individuals in recovery from food addiction
• Apply a substance use disorder model to your counseling practice
• Become part of a growing network of professionals working to address this urgent public health issue

Whether you're a healthcare provider, counselor, or simply passionate about helping others, this is a great opportunity to learn how you can make a difference.

We’d love to see you there!

We’re thrilled to share that Euro Health Leaders Magazine has published a powerful cover story featuring our very own Esther Helga Gudmundsdottir, Founder and Director of the INFACT School and MFM Center in Iceland.

In this deeply personal and insightful piece, Esther opens up about her decades-long battle with food addiction—and how that journey led her to develop one of the world’s first outpatient food addiction treatment centers and the only international certification school for food addiction professionals.

Her story is a testament to the strength of recovery, the need for proper education, and the importance of recognizing food addiction as a serious and treatable condition.

📖 Read the full article and discover how one woman’s vision is shaping the global conversation on food addiction treatment.

We are excited to announce new training options for 2025—designed to offer even more flexibility, accessibility, and global reach for aspiring professionals in the field of food addiction recovery.

📅 Next Certification Cohort Begins:

• September 19, 2025

🎓 What to Expect from the Program:

• 170 hours of dynamic and interactive virtual learning
• Access to our exclusive student platform filled with tools, community support, and essential resources
• A complete package of comprehensive lectures, a detailed teaching manual, and downloadable course materials
• Earn the prestigious Certified Food Addiction Professional (CFAP) designation, recognized by the European Certification Board

Whether you're a clinician, counselor, or someone passionate about helping others recover from food addiction, this program is your next step toward making a meaningful impact.

💥 Let’s change lives—starting with yours.