Dr. Phil is the nickname of the famous American television personality — Phillip Calvin McGraw. He is an actor, an author, and a television show host. Phillip has hosted the American talk show — Dr. Philip. In the late 1990s, he came to the limelight appearing on the Oprah Winfrey Show.
In 2006, Dr. Phil didn’t renew his license to practice psychology. Hence, “Is Dr Phil a Real Doctor?” has become a common question regarding him.
Is Dr Phil a Real Doctor?
No, Dr. Phil is not a real doctor. He has no MBBS degree and is not qualified to serve medical services. This is true that he has a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. But, he is not licensed to do medicine or medical terms.
Dr. Phil has the cachet of the ‘Dr.’ moniker at the front of his name. This is because he has a doctorate or Ph.D. degree. But, he has not completed or earned any medical degrees to serve medical treatment. Therefore, Dr. Phil is not considered to be a real doctor.
Related Read: Why did Dr. Phil Lost His License in 2006
Does Dr. Phil Have a Ph.D.?
First, let us be specific to the question. Dr. Phil really holds a doctorate or Ph.D. degree. He earned his Ph.D. in clinical psychology. He was a licensed psychologist before 2006. Hence, there should be no doubt about his doctorate or Ph.D. degree.
Where did Dr. Phil get his doctorate or Ph.D.?
Dr. Phil got his doctorate or Ph.D. from the University of North Texas.
In 1975, Dr. Phil transferred and earned a B.A. degree from Midwestern State University. He earned his master’s degree from the University of North Texas. After receiving his master’s degree, Dr. Phil further earned his Ph.D. from this University in clinical psychology.
After receiving his Ph.D., Dr. Phil launched his career as a psychologist.
When did Dr. Phil get his doctorate or Ph.D.?
In 1979, Dr. Phil got his Ph.D. or doctorate from the University of North Texas. Dr. Phil’s thesis was titled ‘Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Psychological Intervention.” His Ph.D. advisor was Frank Lawlis.
Besides, Dr. Phil completed his post-doctorate degree in clinical psychology a year after his Ph.D. His Ph.D. advisor, Frank Lawlis, was the primary contributing psychologist for the Dr. Phil television show.
Why did Dr. Phil lose his license?
Dr. Phil lost his license to practice clinical psychology due to serious professional misconduct and ethics violations.
Dr. Phil violated professional ethics. He drew one of his patients into a financial business relationship with him. He hired a patient to work with him. It is entirely illegal. Hence, he lost his license to practice clinical psychology.
What qualification does Dr. Phil have?
Dr. Phil holds a doctorate and post-doctorate degree. He completed his B.A. in psychology from Midwestern State University. After completing his B.A., he earned his master’s degree from the North Texas State University in experimental psychology.
Later, Dr. Phil earned his Ph.D. and a post-doctorate degree in clinical psychology from the University of North Texas.
Dr. Phil holds the below degrees:
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
- Master of Arts in Experimental Psychology
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology
- Post Doctorate in Forensic Psychology
Related: How Much Dr. Phil Make Per Episode?
Is Dr. Phil a fraud?
Yes, Dr. Phil is a fraud and dangerous. He is not a medical doctor. Besides, he has no license nowadays to practice clinical psychology.
Dr. Phil believes in keeping toxic people in one’s life. He believes that everyone can benefit from therapy. His beliefs and thinking seem dangerous. His “Dr.” status concerns academics, not medicine.
Is Dr. Phil a qualified therapist?
Losing his license to practice clinical psychology, Dr. Phil is no longer qualified to practice therapy. Without a current license, it’s illegal to call yourself a psychologist. Therefore, Dr. Phil is not a qualified therapist.
Why can Dr. Phil no longer practice psychology?
Dr. Phil, aka Phil McGraw, cannot practice psychology because he no longer has a license to practice that is valid in any state.
In 2006, Phil McGraw apparently voluntarily surrendered his license to the state of Texas. He is a well-known entertainer rather than a psychologist. He did serious professional misconduct.
In a nutshell, Dr. Phil can no longer practice psychology.