The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a stress-focused tailored weight loss intervention compared to a standard weight loss intervention on weight loss in severely obese (BMI > 40.0) African American women. The stress-focused weight loss intervention will incorporate stress management content throughout the entire intervention and will include content that is culturally tailored. The standard weight loss intervention will cover stress management techniques during one of the 14 sessions and the material will be more generic in nature (e.g. not culturally tailored).