Dr. Phillip C. McGraw (born September 1, 1950), known popularly as Dr. Phil, is an American television psychologist. Now hosting his own eponymously named show, he gained celebrity in no small part due to appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Dr. McGraw holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of North Texas.
In 2002, he was given his own syndicated daily TV show, Dr. Phil . The format is an advice show, where he tackles a different topic on each show, offering advice for his guests' troubles. Some have likened him to a male Dr. Laura. McGraw has authored a number of self-help books on topics such as relationships and weight loss.
Dr. Phil is noted for his Texas drawl. Some regard advice given by him to be nothing more than carefully disguised invective. However, the style of Dr. Phil's advice is said to prompt the person to "get real," and to confront the issues at hand. His advice seems to draw more on the human potential movement than on mainstream psychology. For example, his advice that one is always in control of one's reactions ignores the existence of phenomena like neurosis and depression. [1]
Dr. Phil was parodied on the 35th season of Sesame Street by the character Dr. Feel.
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