Complaint Filed Against Dr. Phil

Dr. Phil may have a whole new situation to dissect. The famed television psychologist has been under intense media scrutiny since his quixotic speech on Britney Spears' condition. And now MSNBC and TMZ are reporting that a formal complaint has been filed with the California Board of Psychology against "Dr." Phil McGraw. The complaint apparently hinges on the fact that McGraw does not have a valid license to practice in California. The MSNBC article also states that McGraw "retired his [Texas] license" back in 2006. TMZ alleges that the complaint was filed by another psychologist.

McGraw is a popular television "psychologist" who is well known for coming on television and trying to assist participants with issues in their lives.

The incident that started all the hubbub occurred shortly after Spears' well-publicized hospital admittance in early January. Officers called to the scene of Spears' Studio City home believed the troubled singer to be under a foreign substance of some sort, and she was soon taken away in an ambulance after erratic and unpredictable behavior was judged by the officials present. Spears' was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. While still at the hospital, Dr. Phil visited Spears in her room, ostensibly as a friend and "ally" of the family, as he later described. After visiting with her, he spoke to the press and characterized Spears as being in dire need of help, both medically and psychologically. McGraw later said that he said such words before even meeting Spears, though it appeared that he had delivered the speech directly after visiting with Britney. McGraw has since said he regretted his treatment of Spears' situation and regretted that his actions had not had the desired effect.