Dr. Phil

10 Worst Episodes of Dr. Phil

Dr. Phil is a talk show hosted by Phil McGraw. After McGraw's success with his segments on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Dr. Phil debuted on September 16, 2002. On both shows McGraw offers advice in the form of "life strategies" from his life experience as a clinical psychologist.

Written by Sophie and last updated on feb 08, 2023.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

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Dr. Phil - S15E89

#10 - My Sister Went From a College Basketball Player to a Sugar Baby Party Teen With Disturbing Fantasies (Season 15 - Episode 89)

Nineteen-year-old Kalli was a college student with good grades on a basketball scholarship but has admittedly thrown it all away for the party lifestyle as a sugar baby – dating older men for money and gifts. Kalli explains to Dr. Phil that her lifestyle is not dangerous, as her mother, Michelle, and older sister, Taylor, are making it out to be. Michelle and Taylor say they are terrified that Kalli could get hurt or killed since Kalli is basically prostituting herself out to strange men and saying she gets a “high” off it. They also claim she shoplifts and has disturbing fantasies about torture and control. So what is really going on with Kalli? Kalli’s Grandma Karen agrees her granddaughter is in trouble but says she believes it’s her own daughter, Michelle, who is to blame for being a negligent parent! And, hear from Kalli’s father, Mo, who makes a tearful plea for Kalli to get her life together.

The episode was rated 6.50 from 14 votes.

Dr. Phil - S16E10

#9 - We Are Being Terrorized by Our Violent, Car-Stealing, Drug-Using Teen Daughters (Season 16 - Episode 10)

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Bill and Jen say their 16- and 18-year-old daughters make their lives a living hell with violent outbursts, joyriding, taking drugs, drinking, shoplifting and calling police to make false accusations of domestic abuse.

The episode was rated 6.48 from 33 votes.

Dr. Phil - S14E137

#8 - A Husband's Decision: His Marriage or His Mistress (Season 14 - Episode 137)

Stacey says she was living the perfect life as a mother of six children and wife to a successful business owner, until 2009, when she says that she found out that her husband of 23 years, Dave, was cheating on her with a woman half his age, who she claims was an exotic dancer. Stacey says that when Dave refused to end things with his girlfriend, she moved with their kids into a two bedroom apartment, and Dave started a new life with his girlfriend, moving her into a brand-new house. Stacey claims Dave would call her while living with the girlfriend and tell her that he wanted to get back together with her – and when she refused, she claims, Dave became verbally abusive with threats of violence. Dave, on the other hand, says he worked long hours to provide for his family but got nothing in return from Stacey, who he says never showed him any affection. He says the other woman made him feel alive for the first time. Dave absolutely denies abusing Stacey and says he was the one who was trying to avoid getting into fights with her since she would always call the cops on him. Now, seven years later, Stacey, who recently suffered the death of her boyfriend of two-and-a-half years, is living on Dave’s couch. The former couple wonders if they can – and should — try to pick up the pieces and be a family again. Can Dr. Phil help this couple revive their relationship – should they?

The episode was rated 6.43 from 14 votes.

Dr. Phil - S14E17

#7 - Exclusive: Eight Siblings Tortured and Held Hostage By Their Own Father (Season 14 - Episode 17)

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In a Dr. Phil exclusive, eight siblings are speaking out for the first time about the unthinkable torture they endured for years under the same roof — by their own father. In 1999, Mansa Musa Muhummed was convicted of committing some of the most extreme acts of child abuse in the history of California. Muhummed, a polygamist, trapped and terrorized his 13 children, three “wives” and their other children. He was finally arrested when one “wife”, Laura Cowan, snuck a letter to a postal worker who alerted the authorities. Now, Laura is a domestic abuse advocate. But several of Muhummed’s children argue that Laura has lied for years, publicizing a career in the media about being a victim, when they say she was partly responsible for their abuse! Laura has not seen Muhummed’s children in 16 years and wonders if they want a relationship with their half sibling, Tasslimah, who she claims was a product of rape while living in the house. What will happen when the siblings come face to face with their father’s former spiritual wife for the first time in years? And will the siblings embrace their half-sister? This program contains sexual content. Viewer discretion advised.

The episode was rated 6.42 from 19 votes.

Dr. Phil - S15E136

#6 - Dr. Phil, My Mom Is Obsessed With Me and Competes With My Boyfriend for My Affection! (Season 15 - Episode 136)

Stefanie, 26, says her divorced mother demands daily attention, has no sense of boundaries and is trying to destroy her relationship with her boyfriend.

The episode was rated 6.39 from 28 votes.

Dr. Phil - S16E9

#5 - From PTA Mom to Addicted and Homeless In Her Luxury SUV (Season 16 - Episode 9)

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Drug-addicted mom Carrie admits that she drives her daughter while under the influence and has used heroin in the daughter's school bathroom.

The episode was rated 6.39 from 23 votes.

Dr. Phil - S14E12

#4 - Creepy Dad or Midlife Crisis: “My Husband’s Inappropriate Sexting, Social Media Posts and Messages to Our Daughter’s Friends” (Season 14 - Episode 12)

Tammy claims her husband, Richard, is obsessed with social media and sexting with women in secret online groups. Richard says if Tammy paid him more attention, he wouldn’t have to look elsewhere. Richard has five social media pages, but his wife and their grown daughters say one in particular makes them sick to their stomachs. Tammy says Richard publicly posts sexually explicit pictures and comments on his “uncensored” page for all their friends and family to see. According to his daughters, Richard also has sent inappropriate messages to their friends. Richard’s daughters say they are devastated that their father has become the “creepy old man” who makes them and their friends feel uncomfortable. Can Richard log out of social media long enough to repair his family, or is it too late?

The episode was rated 6.37 from 19 votes.

Dr. Phil - S16E92

#3 - I'm in Love with Someone from My Social Media Who I've Never Met (Season 16 - Episode 92)

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Bailey liked a tweet from a complete stranger & says it was love at first post. Bailey’s mom says she’s lost her daughter to this fixation.

The episode was rated 6.36 from 14 votes.

Dr. Phil - S16E70

#2 - My Quadruplet Son, Who Was an Honors Student, Dropped Out of College, Was Hospitalized 8 Times and Choked His Psychiatrist (Season 16 - Episode 70)

Chase, 19, dropped out of college after smoking marijuana, which, he says, caused him to have mental problems; his parents say he has terrorized the family ever since he moved back home.

The episode was rated 6.08 from 12 votes.

Dr. Phil - S14E2

#1 - Athlete to Escort: A Champion Runner's Fall from Grace (Season 14 - Episode 2)

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From athlete to escort: Suzy Favor Hamilton is a former world-class runner who seemed to have a picture-perfect life. She was a champion. She appeared in a Nike commercial. She did promotional work for Disney. She was a loving wife and mother. But Suzy was living a secret double life. She was still Suzy, the fresh-faced, all-American girl. But she was also "Kelly" a $600-an-hour call girl who worked the Vegas strip. Suzy says escorting gave her an even bigger rush than running a race. What does she say made her do it? Plus Suzy says her husband allowed her to moonlight as a high-priced sex worker. He'll answer the question many in America are asking: Why would a husband be OK with this? This program contains sexual content. Viewer discretion advised.

The episode was rated 5.10 from 10 votes.

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