Psychology Board Investigates Dr. Phil

Posted Jan 16th 2008 3:02PM by TMZ Staff

TMZ has obtained a copy of a complaint against Dr. Phil which was lodged with the California Board of Psychology, alleging the TV doc was illegally practicing without a license when he paid a visit to one Britney Spears.

We've learned the person who filed the complaint is a psychologist. Dr. Phil has never been licensed to practice in California, and he retired his Texas license in 2006.

The shrink believes when Dr. Phil visited Brit in the hospital earlier this month, he was practicing psychology. A "Dr. Phil" honcho told TMZ the visit was never meant to lure Britney onto the TV show -- and that there were never plans to put her on the air.

A Psychology Board rep told TMZ if the Board finds the complaint credible, it would be referred to the D.A. for review. Practicing without a license is a felony in California.

The psychologist who filed the complaint also alleges Dr. Phil violated HIPAA laws by "discussing or divulging a patient's medical condition ... with the media," in reference to a press release issued by Dr. Phil.

The complaint also says, "A petition is being circulated to remove the "Dr. Phil" show from the air." We're told the shrink is trying to get other psychologists to sign.

As for the Dr. Phil show's response -- no immediate comment.

Filed under: Celebrity Justice, TV

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(Page 2 of 28)Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

16. A corrupt psychologist? Now THAT's news worthy. Thank you TMZ for finally posting something worth our time. But wait... what does no immediate comment mean? Does that mean you did get a comment but not immediately? Funny, I don't see the comment on this posting anywhere. Or did you mean no comment at all? Oh wait. Typical TMZ. There was a comment. You must have "forgotten" to post it. Pathetic.

Someone please rid us of the menace known as Dr. Phil.

Posted at 4:02PM on Jan 16th 2008 by M

17. LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL.
Seriously, Does anyone see a pattern here? First Lynn ruined Britney. Then she ruined Jaime Lynn. Looks like Phil's next. Neither of which is a big loss. Lynn Spears is garbage. I for one will be thrilled when it's her turn to pay the piper.

Posted at 4:02PM on Jan 16th 2008 by PENELOPE

18. oh give it a break people. He tried to help the girl . I don't know any psychiatrist who wouldhave turn this oportunity down if given a chance. . And one things for sure , THEY ALL charge and arm and a leg to tell you something you already know. Besides ,the only thing Phil said to the media was that he was concern . Like all you bozos are. !

Posted at 4:03PM on Jan 16th 2008 by Grim Reaper

19. is this really legitimate this complaint? If so Dr Phil has NOTHING to worry about. He did not claim to interview and DIAGNOSE her he offered to HELP her and get her treatment. He was requested by the family. He did not discuss his conversation with her other than to say she is deeply disturbed, NOT a clinical diagnosis in the DSMR III and therefore NOT a breech of HIPPA or any other ethic. MOREOVER, since he was NEVER STATING HE WAS TREATING, never signed her medical records, never had an official doctor patient relationship with him, he is no more than a TV COMMENTATOR. What a moron this alleged person who by the way ALSO has no relationship to Spears is. THERE ARE LOTS AND LOTS OF WACKJOBS IN THE MENTAL HEALTH FIELD AND THIS IS OBVIOUSLY ONE!!!!

Posted at 4:04PM on Jan 16th 2008 by Lisa

20. Okay, if you don't know who Miss Cleo is, you have got to be way too young!!
hollyweird0, freaking hilarious!!

Posted at 4:04PM on Jan 16th 2008 by poe

21. my wife is a psychotherapist, she would have lost her license to practice for doing what he did. he's a fake, like other fakes.. "dr." laura.....etc...

F.M.

Posted at 4:05PM on Jan 16th 2008 by Felonious Monk

22. I'm just waitin' for Rev. Jesse Jackson to have ago at it and sit in jail refusing to eat until EURO-TRIPPIN' fake accented Brit decides to check herself into WACKOBUCK'S for evaluation. DR. PHIL you're as fake as Kanye West's momma's doctor and you're goin' to grim reaper her if your not to careful.

Posted at 4:06PM on Jan 16th 2008 by Elementa

23. I work a lot dealing with medical privacy laws, and I was SHOCKED when "Dr." Phil made his press release about Brit's medical condition. I don't know much about Phil, but I thought that was wholly unethical. I hope he gets busted for it. Plus, you know he did it for his own TV show.... not cuz he cares so much about Britney Spears.

Isn't his television show, then, practicing without a license? I've never seen it..

Posted at 4:06PM on Jan 16th 2008 by yeah

24. Dammit, I'm such a n00b. And yah, I would go along with Stern on that one, even though he's not the most normal person either. Jeebus, in other fields you'd get your ass handed to you for practicing without a license. Here we have a nut who is not only practicing without a license, but he's doing it on TV! Hmmm, how about for the next act, we let little children be pharmacists, better yet, let's have O.J. teach life saving classes.

Posted at 4:07PM on Jan 16th 2008 by handbanana

25. Yay! Bout Time! Lock him up and throw away the key!! While you are at it lock Britney up too! Maybe Tom Cruise can take over for Dr. Phil!

Posted at 4:09PM on Jan 16th 2008 by Krissy

26. The hospital committed a huge HIPPA violation by allowing Dr. Phil up to see Brit; unless Brit was declared incompetent (which seems unlikely as she was in the process of being released) the only people who can visit her or be provided information about her care and condition are medical professionals on staff or people authorized by her. If some charge nurse or intern was too star struck to tell Dr. Phil to get lost, he or she should be out on his or her ass yesterday.

Posted at 4:09PM on Jan 16th 2008 by Tom

27. Anyone who works in the field of psychology - we are SOOOOOtightly controlled by HIPPA regulations, it amazes me that he thought he could do this. You do not have to be licensed to fall under this. He deserves an ass whoopin' for what he did. I would rather see one hour of cartoons rather than have his show on.

Posted at 4:09PM on Jan 16th 2008 by Barbara

28. Now someone - or rather lots of people - need to call immigration and report Adnan. It's illegal to marry someone just to stay in the country. Clearly that's what he and AzLynn did. That'd get him away from Britney!

Posted at 4:09PM on Jan 16th 2008 by Lola

29. Jesus. Judge Judy should handle this one. It's TV, for chrissake.

Posted at 4:10PM on Jan 16th 2008 by a-lo

30. this post will burn a hole in the screens at TMZ by 5pm est......

Posted at 4:10PM on Jan 16th 2008 by rondog

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