Spears Family Slams Dr. Phil

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

10 Jan 2008 12:00 AM

I can't help but think of all the guests that have appeared on Dr. Phil McGraw's syndicated talk show and had to endure the host shouting his trademark line, "What are you thinking?" in their faces... on national TV.

Today those same people are probably wondering how Dr. Phil feels to be on the other side of the firing squad.

"What were you thinking?"

It's a question Britney Spears's family is demanding Dr. Phil answer in regards to making public statements and (in their opinion) a mockery of the singer's questionable mental state.

The truth about Dr. Phil's involvement with the popwreck finally came to light Wednesday on NBC's "Today" show when Brit's mother's business manager ripped on the TV shrink.

Lou Taylor, a woman who claims to be the Spears' family spokesperson, told viewers that Dr. Phil violated the family's trust by running his mouth to various news organizations following his visit to the derailed singer during her forced hospital stay late last week.

After his visit, McGraw sent out his own press release saying: "My meeting with Britney and some of her family members this morning in her room at Cedars leaves me convinced more than ever that she is in dire need of medical and psychological intervention ... "

Call it the nail in the coffin. According to Taylor, Brit's parents were steaming when they caught wind that their so-called "friend of the family" sold them out.

"What's wrong with Dr. Phil's statement," said Taylor, "is that he made a statement. The family, basically, extended an invitation of trust for him to come in as a resource to support them, not to go out and make public statements."

Taylor also set the record straight regarding Dr. Phil's public statements (a.k.a. press tour) regarding the family's plan to participate in a show devoted entirely to Britney's mental problems.

"It was decided it would be detrimental to ever do that," said Taylor, who described McGraw's request for such a show in the first place to be "self-serving."

You can add "selfish" and "stupid" to the long list of "s" words being used to describe McGraw's moves over the last few days, at least according to mental health experts who have been watching Dr. Phil dig a hole for himself by adding to media frenzy surrounding Britney's hospitalization.

"It's true people sometimes need to be placed under involuntary mental-health treatment because they can't take care of themselves," one veteran psychiatrist told news reporters of the 26-year-old mother of two. "But there's a difference between being detained involuntarily for psychological treatment and being forced to endure Dr. Phil involuntarily."

The Spears family spokesperson also noted that McGraw's big mouth has also "compromised" her mother and sister's relationship with Britney.

Of course, it wouldn't be the first time that happened...

Related Articles:

Dr. Phil Cancels Britney Intervention Show

Dr. Phil Defends Britney Ambush

Dr. Phil Smells Fresh Meat and Her Name is Britney Spears

Britney Spears Released From Hospital---Medical Staff Rejoices

Britney Loses Kids Again---But for How Long?

Britney Update: Locked Up then Locked Down

Britney Spears Flips Out Causes Pandemonium in L.A.

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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Kori Rodley Irons (8277) 10 Jan 2008 11:19 AM

Thanks for sharing this Michele! I have often wondered why Dr. Phil does not have to adhere to the same confidentiality considerations that every other therapist, counselor, psycholgist, psychiatrist and social worker does! I thought that a person (or their guardian) had to sign releases to even allow someone in such a position to talk to another entity about them. I cannot help but think that it is not only unprofessional, but is scares people away from seeking treatment and reinforces feelings of vulnerability and exposure. What a circus!

Libby Pelham (12871) 10 Jan 2008 03:10 PM

They invited a TV psychiatrist to see their daughter - what did they expect? Sounds to me like they invited a friend to see their daughter and he made a statement. Yes, he probably should have been more professional, but perhaps they should have chosen more wisely. Britney needs real help, not the advice of a psychobable television shrink (sorry Dr. Phil).

Michele Cheplic (37339) 10 Jan 2008 03:28 PM

Kori you are right, the Britney incident occurred in California and Dr. Phil is not licensed to practice psychology in California or in Texas (he is no longer licensed there either) which is why there has been a lot of talk about him violating state privacy laws and he is not alone--I've heard others say Cedars-Sinai violated HIPAA and Brit could potentially sue them as a result. I don't know what the laws are in California but in the state I live in no one can visit a patient (other than medical staff) without explict written consent from the patient.

Libby, I also agree with you. I'm sure the Spears' were desperate and thought what harm could Dr. Phil do. I don't think they thought he would issue his own press release following his visit. He should have kept his big mouth shut and he could have avoided all of this.

Thanks for the comments ladies!