Dr. Phil Responds to Britney Criticism

TV host Dr. Phil thought he was going to get a ratings boost by convincing troubled singer Britney Spears to appear on his show after her meltdown, but Dr. Phil's plans backfired on him.

Dr. Phil was criticized heavily for showing up to Britney's room unannounced and uninvited.

One psychiatrist called it "intrusive and inappropriate." While another said he was "outraged and disgusted," added, "It is incredible that the hospital allowed Dr. Phil in her room. It's a total violation of her rights."

Dr. Phil wants to do some damage control so he released this statement about his visit to Cedars Sinai. "I want to set the record straight. I went to see Britney at the request of her family. I talked to Lynne, Jamie, and Brian, because they were frustrated that she wasn't going to be held for a longer time."

"Thursday night, the phone rang, it was Lynne, clearly she was very upset. Any parent would be. I was first contacted by her family a year ago, and had maintained a running dialogue for the last year or so."

Do you guys think he genuinely cared for Britney's well being or did he visit her for the press? Keep in mind Britney's mother is scheduled to appear on his TV show on Tuesday.

Source

Britney Spears

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Reader Comments

9:37PM 01/07/08 Lu

It was pretty obvious that Dr. Phil was only interested in his show ratings. What doctor immediately runs out to the cameras after seeing a potential patient? This whole situation makes me sick that everyone in Britney's life seems more interested in what they can get rather than looking out for her welfare. Dr. Phil has made the world look like a much sadder place than it already is. Greed was the pure purpose here and nothing else. Seems there is no compassion or caring left... how truly sad.

1:25PM 01/07/08 kate

Dr. Phil mistake was ANNOUNCING that he went to see her, even if the cameras recorded him leaving or being at the hospital he still could have respected the privacy of "the patient" and not said anything, instead he's been on entertainment shows..yes ENTERTAINMENT shows stating that he 'visited with her for an hour"... yuk... why would a responsible therapist who was being respectful and caring feel a need to tell everyone what his input was into a VERY PRIVATE situation? Well, one answer, publicity... I know he does "good" for people but there was a line crossed here and perhaps he's so "in the forest" that he can not see the "tree of decency" anymore.. he's too wrapped up in his own public image that perhaps he's forgotten that "Britney" is a PERSON, and not just a "product"... Maybe his intentions were all good, I'm sure they were, but the way he chose to handle it publicly just feels "not so right".

11:09AM 01/07/08 vanessa

i say: who cares?? whether or nor docter phil did it bc of publicity or not ....bottom line is britney is in need of some serious help.

8:33AM 01/07/08 Down To Earth

If he truly wanted to help he would have kept his mouth shut and no one would know anything.

8:02AM 01/07/08 Kerry

Talking to the press is a clear breach of confidentiality and Britney could file a complaint against him and his license to practice. Britney doesn't seem to want help and there is very little anyone can do about that. Most mental health treatment is voluntary and can not be forced. The forced kind of treatment is very short lived as seen by her brief hospital stay.

7:47AM 01/07/08 marcus

DR PHIL is a IDIOT honestly who even watches his stupid show, what he did was so unethical i dont care who he is and her mother is a retard and so is her dad, they die for publicity

7:41AM 01/07/08 Anthony

I don't understand why everybody has the need to "help" Britney publicly. He should have kept his mouth shut, for a while at least. His behaviour is not professional at all, but what do you expect from a TV shrink. He can set the record straight all he wants, but it is too late. A big dissapointment!

7:35AM 01/07/08 Sam

I know for sure that these tabloid websites and papers are making a lot of things up when writing a story. They are not real journalists and their personal opinions and beliefs are incorporated in the stories. I would think twice before believing everything I read. I am sure that all of you are intelligent enough to see my point.

6:53AM 01/07/08 Tasha

I think he was really trying to help her. And she needs it. Look what she did when released, had some mimosas with that pap guyfriend.

6:44AM 01/07/08 anonymous

if the family contacted him, which appears to be what happened, then what's the big deal. They seem frustrated too that she was released. Most people thought she should not have been because she is crazy: "I talked to Lynne, Jamie, and Brian, because they were frustrated that she wasn't going to be held for a longer time."

6:28AM 01/07/08 miss thang

honestly, I don't know if he is sincere or trying to gain publicity. It could be a mixture of both. However, I do believe he was contacted by her family to go see her in the hospital.

6:24AM 01/07/08 Sophie

your right on the dot GetReal!

6:12AM 01/07/08 GetReal

He is disgusting and should be ashamed of himself as a medical professional for what is clear exploitation. Brit is an adult and her family has no authorization over her care. Of all the expert psychiatrists in this country, her family reaches out to a "show" doctor. Again, her mother is exploiting Brit's illness just as she is Jamie's pregnancy.