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Dr. Phil had a show today about Gender Confused children. There was a couple on there that are allowing their child to live as a girl and they were supported on the one hand by a very knowledgeable therapist who has worked with countless children. Dr. Phil played the skeptic and interviewed the child and insinuated that the mother influenced her in this. The child just went to her mother and asked her what the name of the condition she had. The mother told her and that was why she knew what the terms meant. This guy from a "Christian" research group wants to blame the parents for their kids being like this. My mother was crying after he said that because she has blamed herself for a long time. I told her early on that it was nothing that she did or didn't do that made me this way. She revealed that other members of the family have been blaming her by saying that she should have done this or that. She railed at the "Christian" researcher and said he has no idea what it is like because he doesn't have a child who is dealing with this. I am very upset that people who have no real idea are allowed to have a valid opinion about it. The well informed therapist explained the the difference between Gender identity, Sexual Orientation and external sex and told the audience they were separate issues. The "Christian"guy tried to bring up the case where the child was a victim of a botched Circumcision and was raised as a girl until he discovered the truth. It only served to prove the Gender therapist's point about Gender Identity being in the brain. I am writing an email to Dr. Phil and I will tell him exactly where I stand on this issue. I am angry that people try to add to the stress these families are going through by telling them this is their fault. They need to get over themselves and butt out of their business.
Comments
To put it mildly
I think Dr. Phil is a quack. He has some good insight on a few issues, but mostly he's full of...well...let's just say it's stuff that comes out the south end of a north bound bull.
He uses the "blame thrower" on those he sees in the wrong. In every show, he'll pick someone to be the bad guy and rips them apart. Dr. Phil is just a dressed-up Jerry Springer.
Just my opinion.
Smooches,
Paula
Paula Young
A life lived in fear is a life half-lived
the big difference
is that Jerry Springer knows he's a sleaze,
and does not profess to be anything else.
For fake doctors I'll stick with Seuss...
~~hugs, Laika
And remember...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifLqzLEB3E0
He's not a Doctor
Sanctioned for Unethical Behavior (1989)
The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists imposed disciplinary sanctions on McGraw on January 27, 1989 for an inappropriate "dual relationship" reported in 1988 by a female therapy client/employee from 1984. McGraw was ordered by the Board to take an ethics class, pass a jurisprudence exam, complete a physical evaluation, undergo a psychological evaluation, and have his practice supervised for one year in order to continue his private practice in Texas. McGraw admits to giving the client a "job" at his office (which is not allowed), but denied carrying on a sexual relationship with the 19-year-old, who says their relationship was "sexually inappropriate". As of 2008, McGraw has not completed the conditions imposed by the Board of Examiners of Psychologists, and he is not licensed to practice psychology in Texas, California, or anywhere else.
Weight Loss Products (2003)
In 2003, McGraw entered the weight-loss business, selling shakes, energy bars, and supplements. These products' labels, which carried the brand name "Shape Up", stated: "These products contain scientifically researched levels of ingredients that can help you change your behavior to take control of your weight." This met with swift criticism from various sources, accusing McGraw (a clinical psychologist, and not a physician) of lacking the expertise to recommend weight-loss products. Facing a Federal Trade Commission investigation into Shape Up's claims, McGraw pulled his supplements off the market in March 2004, and the FTC dropped its probe. In October 2005, several people who used McGraw's products declared an intent to file a class-action lawsuit against him, claiming that although the supplements cost $120 per month they did not stimulate weight loss. McGraw settled the suit in September 2006 for $10.5 million. Some of the settlement ($6 million) may be paid to the plaintiffs in the form of Amway (Quixtar) brand Nutrilite vitamins.
Unauthorized Biography (2003)
The Making of Dr. Phil is a biography by Sophia Dembling, a reporter from the Dallas Morning News, and Lisa Gutierrez, a reporter from The Kansas City Star. The book probed McGraw's history, with interviews of his childhood friends and former classmates. The book reported that McGraw used unethical business practices in a gym business early in his career, that he was abusive to his first wife, and was also abusive to his staff, while noting that he overcame adversity through setting goals and was persistent in achieving success. The book received no promotional help from McGraw or his associates.
Kalpoe Lawsuit (2006)
McGraw was named a co-defendant, along with CBS Television, in a 2006 lawsuit filed in relation to the disappearance of Natalee Holloway. The lawsuit was filed by Deepak Kalpoe and his brother Satish Kalpoe, who claimed that an interview they did with McGraw, aired in September of 2005, was "manipulated and later broadcast as being accurate, and which portrays Deepak Kalpoe and Satish Kalpoe 'as engaging in criminal activity against Natalee Holloway and constitutes defamation.'" The Kalpoe brothers claimed invasion of privacy, fraud, deceit, defamation, emotional distress, and civil conspiracy in the suit, which was filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court.
Britney Spears "Intervention" (2008)
McGraw attracted criticism for his unannounced visit to celebrity Britney Spears' hospital room in January 2008. The visit appeared to be part of an attempt at getting Spears and her parents to take part in an "intervention" on the Dr. Phil television show. Immediately after the visit, McGraw issued public statements about Spears' situation that Spears' family spokeswoman Lou Taylor said violated their family trust in McGraw. "This is another example of a trust being betrayed," Taylor told Today co-host Meredith Vieira. "Rather than helping the family’s situation, the celebrity 'psychologist' caused additional damage", she said. Several mental health care professionals criticized McGraw for his actions; however, fellow TV psychologist Dr. Joyce Brothers (who is a real Psychologist -- she earned her PhD degree in psychology from Columbia University after completing her undergraduate work at Cornell University) defended McGraw (and later retracted the defense when she found out he wasn't licensed). One professional psychologist filed a complaint with the California Board of Psychology alleging that Phil McGraw practiced clinical psychology without a license and violated doctor-patient privilege by discussing Spears' case with the media. He also started a petition to have The Dr. Phil Show removed from the air.
Riccio Lawsuit (2008)
McGraw was sued by Thomas Riccio, the memorobilia collecter responsible for taping the Las Vegas robbery that led to OJ Simpson being convicted. Riccio sued McGraw in Los Angeles Superior Court for defamation, fraud, intentional infliction of emotional distress and false light for what Riccio claims to have been deceitful editing of The Dr. Phil Show on which he appeared in early October 2008.
Approach to Psychology
His technique, which differs considerably from traditional psychology, has been criticized by those inside and outside the profession. McGraw's critics regard advice given by him to be at best simplistic, and at worst, invective. McGraw has said he never liked traditional counseling and was awkward in one-on-one situations. Though, in Psychology Today journalist Pamela Paul voices her opinion that McGraw, "... knows what's best and he's not afraid to tell you. Dr. Phil issues counsel as marching orders." Isn't that great? A Journalist says he's a real Psychology Doctor, so it MUST be true! McGraw himself admits that "I'm not the Hush-Puppies, pipe and, 'Let's talk about your mother,' kind of psychologist".
Edeyn Hannah Blackeney
I have never watched Dr. Phil.
I was at a friend's house who's husband just loves that show. What I had heard from the other room, because the television was too loud, did not impress me that Dr.? Phil was anything but a television "doctor". You know like he was using it as a pseudonym. Even tho I have never watched the show, what I heard that day was enough to make me continue not watching it. As far as I am concerned it can be taken off the air, and nobody would miss it.
Be strong, because it is in our strength that we can heal.
Love & Hugs,
Barbara
"With confidence and forbearance, we will have the strength to move forward."
Love & hugs,
Barbara
"If I have to be this girl in me, Then I have the right to be."
Obviously I've never seen the show ...
... as it's not broadcast in the UK but it seems odd that an unqualified person is allowed to use the title 'Dr'. There was a similar case here in the UK when a woman claiming to be a nutritionist 'Dr' Gillian McKeith was exposed as a fraud by a genuine (medical) Dr, Ben Goldacre, and had to stop using the title. Her so-called Phd thesis was a short essay in a non peer reviewed magazine. As anyone can call themselves a nutritionist, McKeith still appears on programmes but without the honorific.
Presumably the rules are different over there?
Geoff
To put it mildly - I'll Secind That
I feel the same way - He's a real ASS! Richard
Richard
Quack Phil
I remember hearing about a show where he had a couple on and the guy confessed he was a TV, Phil ripped him "for being selfish" "be a MAN" yada yada yada, as far as he was concerned, this guy was a poor excuse for a man. What kind of therapist of any claim is going to lay that kind of crap on a client?
Lets just say he has an a-genda on genda that does not measure up to his personal views.
There was also...
The show where a daughter tricked her TS father (post-op) into coming onto the show. Poor woman was ambushed by McGraw lambasting her asking her, "How could you do this to your daughter?"
Because the daughter was insecure about it.
He is the consumate ASS !
Ya know, he was recently booed out of a place where he was supposed to be a big deal. I don't think the Mom should have agreed to expose her child to his little witch hunt; maybe got some money for it so I wonder if she sold her kid out.
Did you see the article the other day about the Australian article on the transgender "gene"? It has certainly gotten better for us in the last 10 years, IMHO.
:)
Gwen
How to deal with the Clown Phil Show
A friend on another web site suggested the following:
Before you complain to them - consider these thoughts.
A television show gets its revenue by having a large audience. The larger the audience share a show has, the more they can charge advertiser's. That is what makes or breaks a show you know, if it can generate money for the studio.
One thing shows that like to shock people do, is to try to infuriate their audience. They can ensure you'll stay tuned during the entire show and will see all their commercials. Your writing to them to complain tells them they hit a market target and will likely cause them to create more shows like this in order to attract more viewers.
As an alternative, may I suggest you record one of Dr. Phil's shows and take the time to write down the name of every single advertiser during the shows commercial breaks. If you can do this over several days - it's better as you'll be able to add more advertiser's to your list.
Next, put together a list of friends and coworkers who will sign a list of names stating that because of this episode, they will not watch Dr. Phil (It's doesn't matter if they already don't watch - what's important is that they're not going to watch it in the future). Scan this list.
Next, find out the name of the chief public relations officer and the vice president in charge of advertising for each of the companies that advertises on the Dr. Phil show. You want to write these people letters (individual letters, not a form letter to all advertiser's) of complaint for seeing their products advertised on the Dr. Phil show. Include your list of people who will not be watching the Dr. Phil show in the future in each letter.
Next, you want to find out what studio (NBC, CBS, ABC...whatever) produces the show. Watch the shows credits for info, like who the shows producer is for example, and the line producer (The line producer is in charge of a shows budget/money). If you can find out what studio executive is in charge of the show (usually obtainable by calling the studio and asking) you should do so. You might want to find out who the studios chief financial officer is. To these people, you send your copies of all the individual letters sent to all the advertiser's for the Dr. Phil show, along with your list of names of people who refuse to watch the show in the future.
You're hitting the where they hurt - in the pocketbook. You're also representing a coalition of viewers - and believe me a group of people who refuse to watch a show is a lot more powerful than one disgruntled viewer who just sends a simple note to the show.
I've worked in and out of the movie industry since 1986. Believe me - if you want to make changes - this is how you do it.
T----
I thought I would forward T's comments in case others were thinking of inflating Clown Phil's ratings numbers.
CaroL
CaroL
That Works
That is basically how we got rid of "Dr" Laura on a lot of stations that carried her show.