Who is Dr. Phil McGraw? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Phillip Calvin McGraw

Age: 74 Years, 74 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Robin Jameson (1976), Debbie Higgins McCall (1970-1973)

father: Joseph J

mother: Anne Geraldine

children: Jay (born 1979), Jordan (born 1986)

Talk Show Hosts American Men

U.S. State: Oklahoma

More Facts

education: University of North Texas

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1

What is Dr. Phil's educational background?

Dr. Phil McGraw holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Midwestern State University and a Master of Arts in experimental psychology and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of North Texas.
2

How did Dr. Phil get famous?

Dr. Phil McGraw rose to fame as a regular guest on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," where he offered advice and analysis on relationships and personal struggles. This led to him launching his own self-help talk show, "Dr. Phil," in 2002.
3

What is Dr. Phil's approach to counseling?

Dr. Phil's counseling approach is primarily based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors to improve mental health and well-being.
4

Is Dr. Phil a licensed psychologist?

Yes, Dr. Phil McGraw is a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of Texas. He also holds a board certification in forensic psychology.
5

How many books has Dr. Phil authored?

Dr. Phil has authored numerous self-help books, including bestsellers like "Life Code: The New Rules for Winning in the Real World" and "Self Matters: Creating Your Life from the Inside Out."

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University Of North Texas

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Childhood & Early Life

Phillip McGraw was born in Vinita, Oklahoma, in the US on 1st September 1950 to mother Anne Geraldine and father Joseph J McGraw, who worked as an equipment supplier. His father had a lifelong aim of becoming a psychologist, which he later achieved. He had three sisters, Deana, Donna, and Brenda. They grew up in the oilfields of North Texas.

He studied at the Shawnee Mission North High School in Overland Park, Kansas. A talented athlete, he was awarded a football scholarship to the University of Tulsa. There he played as a middle linebacker under coach Glenn Dobbs.

He received his BA in psychology from the Midwestern State University and later earned an MA in experimental psychology and a Ph. D. in clinical psychology from the University of North Texas. Then he joined his father in Wichita Falls, Texas, where the latter had started his private practice in psychology.

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Career

Phil McGraw and his father jointly ran their private practice for a few years and then joined a successful businesswoman from Texas named Thelma Box to create the ‘Pathways’ seminar. It was an experience-based training program that proved to be a massive success. After a few years, McGraw signed an agreement for the sale of his Pathways seminar stock for $325,000.

Later in 1990, along with lawyer Gary Dobbs, McGraw co-founded Courtroom Sciences Inc (CSI). It eventually became a profitable venture which advised Fortune 500 companies and helped injured plaintiffs in achieving settlements. McGraw eventually gave up his practice of psychology.

His legal consulting firm was hired by Oprah Winfrey in 1995 for the Amarillo Texas beef trial. The case ended after three years with a victory for Oprah, for which she was immensely grateful to him. Therefore, she invited him to her show and he began appearing weekly as a relationship and life strategy expert from April 1998.

He published his bestselling book ‘Life Strategies: Doing What Works, Doing What Matters’ in 1999. Over the next few years, he continued to publish several other bestsellers, such as ‘Relationship Rescue’ and ‘The Ultimate Weight Solution Food Guide’.

The 'Dr. Phil' Show

After Dr. Phil found popularity in Oprah Winfrey’s show, he decided to launch his own talk show ‘Dr. Phil’. The show debuted on 16th September 2002. In the show, he offers advice in the form of ‘life strategies’ based on his experience as a clinical and forensic psychologist. The show has proved to be a success and has been nominated for numerous ‘Daytime Emmy Awards’.

The show covers many topics, such as weight loss, financial planning, autistic children, unhappy marriages, and dysfunctional families. It has a serious tone, with occasional humor. Despite its success, McGraw’s advice and methods have been criticized by some psychotherapists and other mental health professionals. ‘The National Alliance on Mental Illness’ called his conduct in an episode ‘unethical’ as well as ‘irresponsible’.

The popularity of the show has led to several spin-off shows such as ‘The Doctors’ which started airing in 2008. It is an hour-long program presented by McGraw and his son Jay McGraw. The show has received high ratings and also airs in several other countries such as Canada, Mexico, and Finland besides the USA.

Other Works

Dr. Phil McGraw has played cameo roles in some TV shows, such as ‘Sesame Street’, ‘The Simpsons’ and ‘Hannah Montana’. He also played a cameo role in the 2006 horror comedy film ‘Scary Movie 4’ and the 2009 drama comedy ‘Madea Goes to Jail’.

He formed the Dr. Phil Foundation in order to raise funds to fight childhood obesity. It also works with other organizations that support the needs of underprivileged children and their families.

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Controversies & Scandals

Throughout his career, McGraw has kindled controversies on numerous occasions. One such occasion was when he visited Britney Spears in her hospital room. This visit, which appeared to be an attempt to make Spears and her parents participate in the ‘Dr. Phil’ television show, garnered a lot of criticism from Spears’ family as well as mental health professionals. .

In 2017, he was accused of endangering the health of his guests to boost his show’s ratings. A spokesman, however, denied these allegations and called them untrue.

Personal Life

Phil McGraw got married to cheerleader Debbie Higgins McCall in 1970. However, their marriage was annulled after three years due to personal conflicts.

McGraw began dating Robin Jo Jameson in 1973 and married her after a few years. They have two children named Jay and Jordan.

Facts About Dr. Phil McGraw

Phil has a black belt in Tang Soo Do, a Korean martial art, which he earned in his 20s.

He is an avid pilot and owns a private plane, often flying himself to his various speaking engagements and television appearances.

Phil is a published author with several books on self-improvement and relationships, including bestsellers like "Life Code" and "Self Matters."

He played college football as a middle linebacker for the University of Tulsa Golden Hurricane team.

Phil has a passion for classic cars and has a collection that includes vintage vehicles from the 1950s and 1960s.

Dr. Phil McGraw Biography

You wanted to know

What is Dr. Phil's educational background?

How did Dr. Phil get famous?

What is Dr. Phil's approach to counseling?

Is Dr. Phil a licensed psychologist?

How many books has Dr. Phil authored?