On Sun, Oct 31, 2010 at 2:53 PM, David Bruggeman <[email protected]> wrote:
> This does support Craig Ferguson's contention that McGraw is not a real > doctor. Given that McGraw's license to practice was apparently retired a > few years ago, Scottish Conan Guy is correct. > > http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3468/3750482552_6024990f7b_b.jpg > This comes up for me periodically, both on this list and at work (I am a licensed psychologist). He is a doctor, he is a psychologist, he is not licensed to practice psychology or offer mental health services. McGraw is a "real" doctor (I include the quotes because some people think the only real doctors are physicians, which is a different argument). He has a Ph.D. from North Texas State University, apparently in clinical psychology (I have never been able to nail the exact subject of his doctorate degree authoritatively, but this is how it is most often described). But being a real doctor of psychology is not the same thing as being certified to legally practice psychology, offer psychological services, and treat patients for mental health problems. To do these things, you have to be licensed by a state. McGraw was licensed by the state of Texas for many years. During that time he was found to have violated ethical standards once (he was found to have had a "dual relationship" with one of his former patients. There had been some allegation of inappropriate touching with her, but the final determination was limited to his having hired a former patient as a part-time employee without waiting a sufficient length of time). I think he was put on probation for a year, and then returned to full practice, until he voluntarily surrendered or retired his license (I don't think it is fair to day the license was retired, if that is meant to imply that it was somehow taken away from him, or was not voluntary). It is not uncommon to do this when psychologists know they are no longer going to be seeing patients, since it costs money to keep the license current, and you have to do 36 hours every 2 years of abominable continuing education, and having a license constantly exposes you to legal liability. When McGraw had his headline grabbing encounter with Britney Spears it appeared to many that he had violated ethical obligations of confidentiality, but he had not, since he was not a licensed psychologist. He does have an obligation to make sure the public knows he is not a licensed psychologist, and he reports that he does this in writing and verbally on his show (I can not confirm that, as I have never seen his show). His show is an entertainment show, and is not in any way, even a little bit, offering mental health services. He was invited to speak at the convention of the American Psychological Association (of which I am reluctantly a member) in 2006. I did not attend, and many colleagues I know were outraged with the invitation (he was also given some kind of medal by APA). The APA, which has always been something of a whore, justified it by the service he provides in making the public aware of psychological information, and de-stigmatizing mental disorders. The APA also tolerated psychologists consulting with the government about illegal torture. I am not sure which is worse. A short article about him in the APA Monitor a few years ago, on the occasion of this APA presentation, below: ****************************** http://www.apa.org/monitor/oct06/drphil.aspx Behind the scenes of the ‘Dr. Phil’ show Television's Phil McGraw talked about his goal of bringing psychology into the nation's living rooms. By Laurie Meyers October 2006, Vol 37, No. 9 He became a national phenomenon on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," but Phil McGraw, PhD-television's "Dr. Phil"-envisioned more than fame when he left Oprah Winfrey's show to start his own, he explained in an invited presidential address at APA's 2006 Annual Convention. McGraw wanted to create a national forum for mental health issues. "What if you could deliver common sense, understandable information about life and living and deliver it to the safety, security and privacy of people's homes every day for free?" asked McGraw. "I knew that if I could pull it off, it would be a forum unlike any I'd ever seen before." *Show standards* On his show, McGraw sees himself not as his guests' therapist, but as a moderator who hopefully gives people who are suffering in silence some steps they can take toward finding help. The show lets people know that "it's OK to identify and treat problems," said McGraw. McGraw explained the steps he takes to make sure the show is useful as well as entertaining. Viewers suggest topics, which are vetted by a 12-person advisory board of physicians, nurses and psychologists, he said. The most common issues are parenting, relationship and money problems, he continued. The show's research team does "exhaustive" literature searches to make sure the content is cutting edge and sound, and the team gathers binders full of information on each guest prior to filming. The show has very strict guidelines for guests, he emphasized. Anyone currently in treatment cannot appear on the show unless McGraw receives a written statement from his or her therapist saying it would not be harmful for the guest to appear. People who are on medication or have been hospitalized for mental health reasons also cannot appear on the show. The same is true for those who have attempted suicide or demonstrated suicidal ideation, unless the show is specifically about suicide. After the show, his staff arrange therapy for guests who want further help back in their communities, and monitor their progress. *No substitute for therapy* McGraw acknowledges that the show is just a start. "We do not labor under the false impression that we are doing an eight-minute cure," he said. The show could "never be a meaningful substitute for therapy." McGraw also emphasized what an important role practicing psychologists play in the community, citing the aid professionals continue to give in New Orleans, where the "water has receded but the disaster isn't over." In fact, his show filmed from New Orleans the entire APA convention week, giving McGraw a national platform from which to talk about mental health policy with decision-makers such as President Bush and members of Congress. McGraw's work highlighting mental health issues earned him a Presidential Citation, given to him by APA President Gerald P. Koocher, PhD. "Your work has touched more Americans than any other living psychologist," Koocher read from the citation. "I have received no more valued honor," said McGraw, whose late father was a psychologist. "I wish my dad was alive to see it." -- TV or Not TV .... The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TV or Not TV" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en
