The BEST episodes of Dr. Phil
Every episode of Dr. Phil ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Dr. Phil!
Dr. Phil is a talk show hosted by Phil McGraw. After McGraw's success with his segments on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Dr. Phil debuted on September 16, 2002. On both shows McGraw offers advice in the form of "life strategies" from his life experience as a clinical psychologist.
#1 - Dangerous Online Obsession, Part 2
Season 12 - Episode 9 - Aired 9/19/2013
The parents of a 15-year-old girl who appears to have been abducted and killed by a man she met on Facebook come forward to share their heartbreaking story.
#2 - Fat Attack
Season 11 - Episode 25 - Aired 10/12/2012
A woman says her husband calls her names because of her weight and makes cow noises when she eats ice cream; a mother says she will try to lose weight if her son stops picking on her about her size; author Liz Vaccariello.
#3 - Invested in Love or Just Another Scam?
Season 21 - Episode 139 - Aired 5/2/2023
Two years ago, Terri says she met her millionaire boyfriend, Ricardo, who she plans to marry. But, there was just one problem: They have never met in person. Terri says shortly after they met, Ricardo moved to Canada for work and asked Terri to invest $10,000 in Bitcoin, with promises that it would make her at least $1 million in six months. Terri continued to send money for two years, totaling nearly $80,000! Terri says not only has she not met her boyfriend, but she also hasn’t seen a penny of her investment. Terri’s sister, Tammy, says she believes Ricardo is nothing but a scammer who is using an innocent man’s photos and sweet-talking Terri out of her hard-earned money.
#4 - A Family Cursed?
Season 20 - Episode 101 - Aired 2/14/2022
Ida, a woman who had two sets of twins before she was 19 writes to Dr. Phil to help break the cycle of dysfunction. Ida feels that she failed to protect her daughters from the dangerous situations that led to her own youthful indiscretions.
#5 - My Mom Is in Love with a Man Who Doesn’t Exist
Season 19 - Episode 126 - Aired 4/6/2021
Karen says she’s fallen in love and plans to spend the rest of her life with a man named “Thomas,” whom she met online. But, Karen’s daughter, Mindy, says there is no “Thomas.” She says she is sure her mother is being catfished by a man she has never met or even video chatted with, who claims to be on an oil rig and stuck in the Gulf of Mexico. Mindy says her mother’s heart is not the only thing “Thomas” has stolen from her; he has also gone after money her recently retired mother doesn’t have to give. Karen says she is a dedicated Dr. Phil viewer and has watched all his shows on catfishing, so she knows her “lover” is real. She claims the fact that no one can prove he is a fake gives her great hope they will be together soon. Find out what happens when Dr. Phil provides Karen with evidence that she is being scammed. Will she believe the truth?
#6 - From Hollywood Body Double to Force Feeding Frenzy
Season 18 - Episode 167 - Aired 5/14/2020
Ten years ago, Suzy claims she developed a “mysterious illness” that leaves her shaking, trembling, convulsing, and having to force-feed herself more than 7,000 calories a day to stop her “attacks”! She says things are so bad that she must always have food on hand, including while she uses the bathroom and shower. What could this mysterious illness possibly be? Could Dr. Phil be the solution to Suzy’s 10-plus-year journey to find answers?
#7 - Norma’s Online Boyfriends: The Truth Behind the Pictures
Season 18 - Episode 162 - Aired 5/7/2020
Today, Dr. Phil finds out so much more about Norma’s online boyfriends. Norma’s number one love, Jeff, claims he bought a ticket home to the U.S. after Norma sent him even more money. Dr. Phil producers call the airlines to see if his name is their database. Dr. Phil producers also head to the Church in Cairo, Egypt where Jeff claims he’s been sleeping for months. Is Jeff telling the truth? Does Jeff make it home to Norma -- or is Norma being scammed? Dr. Phil helps Norma see the truth.
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#8 - Sex Trafficking Survivor Demands Answers from Her Therapist Mother
Season 17 - Episode 114 - Aired 3/1/2019
Savannah was repeatedly sexually abused as a young child before being adopted at age 6. As a teenager, Savannah was involved in prostitution and was eventually kidnapped and sex trafficked. Savannah believes her adoptive mother, Andrea, should have done more to protect her. Andrea says she received her master’s degree in psychology to try and help understand her daughter but says, “it didn’t work,” and turned to Dr. Phil for help. Emotions run high when Savannah comes face-to-face with her mother, who she has not seen in a year. Also, Dr. Phil catches up with actress Jan Broberg. Jan says she can absolutely relate to Savannah’s story after being abducted as a teen — not once but twice — by a close family friend who molested, raped, and brainwashed her into believing they were supposed to have a child together in order to save the world. Jan’s story is the subject of the Netflix documentary, Abducted In Plain Sight. Jan lends a supportive voice to Savannah.
#9 - Save My Beautiful Daughters from Their Narcissistic Father
Season 17 - Episode 117 - Aired 3/6/2019
Stay-at-home mom Jessica claims her soon-to-be ex-husband of 23 years, Mike, is a narcissist who controls everything in her and their teenage daughters’ lives, especially the finances. Sixteen-year-old Chloe and 18-year-old Zoey say the worst thing he did was to shatter their dreams of becoming professional dancers in New York City. But Mike claims Jessica is putting the girls in the middle of their fight and brainwashing them to hate him. Dr. Phil tells Mike and Jessica what every couple needs to do with children when their marriage falls apart.
#10 - “My Wife Chose Her Boyfriend over Her Children”
Season 13 - Episode 115 - Aired 3/2/2015
George says his estranged wife, Rachel, once was loving, fun and honest, but after 19 years and six children together, he claims she has become a liar, cheater and an unfit mother who puts boyfriends ahead of her kids’ needs. George claims Rachel has had sex with a boyfriend while their children were home, and on another occasion she even gave their youngest kids melatonin to make them sleep so she could go out partying — all of which Rachel denies. Rachel admits she had one affair during their marriage but claims it happened only after she discovered George had a girlfriend — and she blames him for neglecting her and their family. With a divorce imminent, the estranged couple face each other on Dr. Phil’s stage. How has their fighting affected their children? Don’t miss Dr. Phil’s advice and words of warning for the separated couple. Can they calm the chaos and learn to peacefully co-parent?
#11 - Mystery at Sea: What Happened to Actress Natalie Wood?
Season 17 - Episode 4 - Aired 9/13/2018
Yachting with husband Robert Wagner and actor Christopher Walken, actress Natalie Wood somehow ends up drowned in the Pacific in the dead of night; her sister, Lana Wood, insists she was murdered.
#12 - “Our 7-Year-Old Son Threatens to Kill Us!”
Season 13 - Episode 120 - Aired 3/10/2015
Kim and her ex-husband, Ryan, say they’re terrified of their 7-year-old son, Rylan, whom they adopted when he was an infant. They say Rylan has a fascination with knives, talks to an imaginary friend named “Bleeder” — who tells him to kill his entire family — and has even sent two teachers to the hospital. Desperate for help, the parents turn to Dr. Phil. What might be causing Rylan’s aggressive behavior? Could information about their son’s birth parents provide some clarity? Plus, Dr. Phil reviews home video of Rylan’s interactions with his parents and the police. Is he as dangerous as his parents fear?
#13 - Badmouthing, Bruises and a Bitter Custody Battle: What Does the Neighbor Say?
Season 14 - Episode 41 - Aired 11/9/2015
Linda's neighbor Sandra is in the middle of a bitter custody battle with her ex-husband, Joey, and Linda says she’s tired of watching their two daughters get caught in the middle — and she wrote into Dr. Phil for help! Sandra claims her daughters tell her concerning things after visiting with Joey. Sandra even says that she suspects that Joey may have "poisoned their ice cream," touched them inappropriately and even, according to Sandra, put one child in a garbage bag, filled it with rocks and left her in a bathtub with the water running, and Sandra claims she fears for their lives. Joey unequivocally denies Sandra’s accusations and is adamant that he’s been nothing but a good dad. Linda says Sandra is constantly telling her stories about Joey, and she’s still not sure who to believe. Tune in as Dr. Phil tries to get to the bottom of these accusations. Will polygraph tests help determine who’s telling the truth? This program contains strong sexual content. Viewer discretion advised.
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#14 - Exclusive: Grieving Parents React To Chris Watts Confession
Season 17 - Episode 120 - Aired 3/11/2019
Authorities release a shocking five-hour prison confession from Colorado killer dad Chris Watts describing disturbing new details about the murder of his pregnant wife, Shan’ann, and their two daughters. In an exclusive interview, Shan’ann’s parents and brother reveal their reaction to Watts finally admitting what happened to their daughter and grandchildren in their final moments.
#15 - Part Two: Where Is "Jonathan"?
Season 20 - Episode 107 - Aired 2/22/2022
Dr. Phil continues his conversation with Jane, who recently sold her dream home and has sent her online boyfriend, "Jonathan," close to $1 million dollars. Today, Dr. Phil sends a producer to Miami to look for "Jonathan."
#16 - Romance Scams, Fraudsters, and Their Victims
Season 21 - Episode 140 - Aired 5/3/2023
Terri says she has been waiting two years for her millionaire boyfriend, Ricardo, to return home from Canada with their Bitcoin investment. Terri says as soon as Ricardo comes home with their money, they will be moving into their condo in Houston, TX, that Ricardo’s CEO purchased for them. However, Terri’s sister, Tammy, says everything Ricardo has told Terri is a lie. Is Ricardo being honest about anything, including his identity, and if not, who is Ricardo? Plus, see updates on some former Dr. Phil guests who were scammed. After being scammed once – and in some cases, twice – have they learned anything?
Watch Now:Amazon#17 - Topless Photo Scandal: Beauty Queen Victim or Girl Gone Wild?
Season 12 - Episode 16 - Aired 9/30/2013
Nineteen-year-old Samara says her world came crashing down just three days after she was crowned Miss Tennessee Teen USA 2012, when a group of girls she thought were friends sent compromising photos of her to pageant officials. She says she was given two choices: resign or be fired, so she relinquished her title and all related prizes, and her pageant career came to an end. Emotions run high when Samara faces her former friend, Tosha, who admits to sending the photos. Why did Tosha do it? And, does she have any regrets? Plus, how did the controversial photos fall into the wrong hands in the first place? Then, hear from Samara’s older sister, Suway, who believes that Tosha and the two other girls involved should pay for what they did. Was a crime committed? And, Dr. Phil offers advice for moving forward after betrayal.
Watch Now:Amazon#18 - The Disappearance of Christina Morris: A Mother’s Obsession with Finding Her Daughter Is Destroying Her Marriage
Season 14 - Episode 121 - Aired 3/22/2016
Jonni’s 23-year-old daughter, Christina Morris, disappeared almost two years ago, after a night out with friends. She was last seen on surveillance video walking into a parking garage with an acquaintance, Enrique Arochi. Just three minutes later, Enrique was seen on that same camera leaving the parking garage alone in his car. Christina has not been seen or heard from since. While Enrique has denied any involvement in Christina’s disappearance, he was arrested in December 2014 and charged with aggravated kidnapping, after authorities say Christina’s DNA was found in the trunk of his car. Jonni says she has become obsessed with finding her daughter, and it’s destroying her marriage. Jonni says she left her husband, Ronnie, behind and moved from Oklahoma to Texas for eight months to search for her daughter. She says her husband realized her only focus is on finding her daughter, not him or her stepchildren. Jonni says she searched every day for 10-12 hours for her daughter and wanted her husband there with her -- but Ronnie says he works 40-60 hours a week and can’t spend all his time trekking through the woods looking for Christina. But Jonni says she will not stop searching until Christina is found. Can Dr. Phil help this couple get their marriage back on track? And, what happened to Christina? Jonni says she has even gotten on her hands and knees and begged Enrique’s father to talk to his son and have him tell her where her daughter is. Plus, an update on the disappearance of Dylan Redwine, who vanished without a trace almost three years ago. The La Plata County Sheriff’s office named a person of interest in August 2015. Find out who that is. His mother, Elaine, gives us an update on the case.
#19 - A Beautiful Teen Forced to Live a Horrible Nightmare: “I Was Held Captive by an Online 'Friend'”
Season 13 - Episode 134 - Aired 4/10/2015
Hope, 17, says three years ago, after an argument with her family, she posted a mean message about her mother online — and her life took a dramatic turn, when a woman responded and said Hope could stay with her. After accepting the offer, Hope says she never could have anticipated what happened next: Hope says she was drugged, beaten and forced into sex slavery for three horrific weeks before finally being rescued — an ordeal she says still haunts her. Hope says her mother, Desiree, lacks sympathy and wants her to just get over the past. Emotions run high when this mother and daughter sit down with Dr. Phil. Desiree insists she, too, was a victim in all this, but she has managed to keep moving forward. She says she loves Hope and has done her best to support her, including financially, but she can’t anymore — especially when she says Hope continues to make mistakes. Don’t miss Dr. Phil’s candid advice for Desiree — will it have an impact? Is there any chance for mending this relationship? And, how can Hope finally begin to heal?
#20 - I Swiped Right on My Quadriplegic Boyfriend
Season 17 - Episode 121 - Aired 3/12/2019
Harley says when she met her boyfriend, Bailey, on a dating app, she knew he was unable to walk but that didn’t stop her from getting to know him and falling in love. Now, three years later, she says she is at the end of her rope being his full-time caregiver. She says all they do is fight, and she feels so guilty for getting frustrated with him. Bailey says nine years after the accident that left him paralyzed, things started to look up when he met his beautiful girlfriend. Now, he says he constantly feels like a burden to Harley and all those around him and wonders if it would be better if he just moved into a nursing home and died. Harley and Bailey both say they love each other and are willing to do whatever it takes to make things right. Can this relationship be saved?
#21 - Private Planes, Black Tie Parties, Elite Sporting Events: The Shocking Story of One Woman's Life in Sex Trafficking
Season 15 - Episode 120 - Aired 3/21/2017
Kendall claims she was sold by her parents at birth to a powerful international sex trafficker. She says when she wasn’t locked in a cage with other kidnapped children, she was flown all over the world on private planes, being sold to wealthy and powerful men. Kendall says as she grew older, she would often escort these rich and prominent clients to black tie affairs and high profile sporting events. From doctors and politicians to even law enforcement, Kendall says she was taught how to act and dress in order to never raise suspicion. For the first time since she says she left her life of sex trafficking three years ago, Kendall tells her story and explains why she is still petrified that the boss of this operation, whom she calls “the man who owns her,” will find her and bring her back.
#22 - Grandma Returns: Will She Finally Apologize for Her Molester Husband?
Season 13 - Episode 55 - Aired 11/21/2014
Dr. Phil continues his conversation with Ashley and Megan, who say they were sexually abused for years by their step-grandfather. And although he has been convicted, the siblings say their grandmother, Peggy, continues to deny that the abuse ever took place. Peggy insists her granddaughters are lying and have ruined her life. Is there any hope of fixing this fractured family? Hear from Ashley and Megan’s mother, Brenda, who says she is furious with Peggy, whom she trusted to care for her daughters. Did Brenda ever suspect anything was going on? How can Ashley and Megan begin to heal the wounds of the past and move forward? Plus, Dr. Phil shares information every parent needs to know to keep their kids safe. This program contains strong sexual content. Viewer discretion advised.
#23 - A Dr. Phil Daytime Exclusive: The Woman Who Put Drain Cleaner in Her Eyes to Fulfill Her Dream of Being Blind
Season 14 - Episode 39 - Aired 11/5/2015
Amber, aka “Jewel” Shuping, made international headlines when she intentionally made herself blind by putting drain cleaner into her eyes. Jewel says that ever since she was a little girl, she dreamed of being blind, claiming to live with “Body Integrity Identity Disorder,” a disorder which causes an otherwise healthy person to feel that he or she is meant to be disabled. Jewel says she hated opening her eyes every day, and as a teen, oftentimes pretended to be blind, even walking with a white cane for as long as two weeks straight. She says that living with sight, to her, felt like living in a personal prison. She claims that seven years ago, she traveled 19 hours by train to visit a “sympathetic” psychologist whom she met online, and allowed him to pour liquid drain cleaner into both of her eyes. In a Dr. Phil daytime exclusive, hear why Jewel says she felt she had no choice but to take her vision, and hear the bombshell claim she drops about removing one of her eyes! Then, Dr. Michael First, who coined the term, “Body Integrity Identity Disorder,” and Dr. Travis Stork, host of The Doctors, weigh in!
#24 - The Indiana Train Track Murders; The Search for a Killer
Season 16 - Episode 66 - Aired 12/13/2017
Teens Liberty German and Abigail Williams go hiking in the woods of their small hometown in Indiana and are brutally murdered; in their final moments, the best friends may have recorded images and audio of their killer.
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#25 - A Hostile Hotel Showdown: Can Brittany be Helped?
Season 17 - Episode 173 - Aired 5/23/2019
Donna and her ex-husband, Steven, both claim their 28-year-old daughter, Brittany, is violent, angry and out of control. After a tense reunion with Steven and an explosive confrontation with Brittany in their hotel, is Donna willing to trust Dr. Phil’s advice when it comes to Brittany? And, is Brittany’s life really as happy and functional as she says it is? Dr. Phil calls for backup from life coach Mike Bayer. Did Brittany’s session with him go as planned? Don’t miss the conclusion of this intense family drama.