Susan Albers Makes Guest Appearance on 'Dr. Oz'

College of Wooster graduate offers advice in dealing with stressful eating

WOOSTER, Ohio - Susan Albers, a psychologist at the Cleveland Clinic in Wooster and a 1997 College of Wooster graduate, was a featured guest last month on the nationally syndicated "Dr. Oz" show, which airs daily in more than 200 markets across the country.

Albers, the author of four books on eating disorders and a highly regarded expert on the subject, appeared on the show Jan. 21 to help provide a "stress eater's action plan" for a morbidly obese mother trying to avoid gastric bypass surgery. The woman (Jennifer), who weighed in at 381 lbs., listened carefully as Albers outlined a variety of helpful tips, including a suggestion that she keep a hunger log so that she could distinguish between emotional and physical hunger. Albers also proposed a snack stress kit, which included a tennis ball that she could use to give herself a massage to increase blood flow and decrease tension.

Albers, who has written 50 Ways to Soothe Yourself Without Food, Eating Mindfully, Eat, Drink & Be Mindful, and Mindful Eating 101, appeared quite comfortable as she offered advice and support for Jennifer, even though the setting was a brightly lit television studio in New York City's Rockefeller Center instead of a private counseling room at the Clinic in Wooster.

The invitation to appear on the show was extended on Dec. 3 for a taping that would take place just five days later. "It was a quick turnaround," said Albers who noted that she was interviewed in August by Dr. Oz on his radio show shortly after 50 Ways to Soothe Yourself Without Food was published.

Albers believes that her success as a writer is due, in large part, to her Independent Study (I.S.) experience at Wooster. "I.S. was so helpful," she said. "After that, writing a book was a piece of cake."

Of course Albers recommends that her clients only mindfully indulge in a piece of cake, particularly Jennifer, who has a long way to go but is making progress, having dropped 36 lbs. since the show was taped. Depending on how well things go, Albers may be invited back this spring to assess Jennifer's progress. Either way, it probably won't be the final time Albers appears on television. Just as Oprah spawned Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz might spawn Dr. Susan...Stay tuned.