The BEST episodes of Dr. Phil

#1 - In Love and Illegal?

Season 11 - Episode 52 - Aired 11/20/2012

A 30-year-old mother of four and her 17-year-old fiance discuss their relationship; the teen's father and stepmother speak.

#2 - Life Code: The New Rules for Winning in the Real World

Season 11 - Episode 47 - Aired 11/13/2012

Dr. Phil's new book teaches how to spot users and abusers and tells new strategies for winning big in the game of life.

#3 - Karen’s Catfish: Will She Believe the Truth

Season 19 - Episode 127 - Aired 4/7/2021

Dr. Phil continues his conversation with Mindy and her mother, Karen, who claimed to be in love with a man she had never met named “Thomas.” Despite Dr. Phil providing Karen with seemingly overwhelming evidence that “Thomas” was indeed a catfish, Karen seemed to have a hard time grasping what had happened to her and who was behind the scam. Today, Dr. Phil introduces Karen to the man whose photos were stolen and used by Karen’s catfish, which leads to a very emotional moment for Karen. But that’s not all. Dr. Phil also introduces Karen to the man whose name and personal details were stolen and used by the catfish. And, is this the first time Karen has possibly fallen prey to an online catfish? Can Dr. Phil help Karen stop getting duped by online predators? Plus, infectious disease expert Dr. Tony Mills answers any and all questions you may have about getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

#4 - 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?

#5 - Dr. Phil International Investigation: What Will Anna Decide?

Season 19 - Episode 49 - Aired 11/19/2020

For the past two days, Dr. Phil has been conducting an international investigation into Anna’s alleged online boyfriend, “Sammie Lee Strong”. On Wednesday, Dr. Phil found the man behind the photos of “Sammie Lee Strong,” and discovered he was neither critically ill nor in Nigeria. Today, Anna meets a woman who is a catfish victim herself, who explains to Anna that she has two choices: walk away now or lose everything she has. And, Dr. Phil has a surprise for that woman. What does Anna think? Plus, an update from a past guest and fan favorite who can relate to this situation all too well. Tune in today for Anna’s part three conclusion.

#6 - Dr. Phil International Investigation: Where is “Sammie Lee Strong”?

Season 19 - Episode 48 - Aired 11/18/2020

Dr. Phil continues to search for Anna’s alleged boyfriend, “Sammie Lee Strong,” and finds the man behind the photos. Dr. Phil then meets two women who claim the man isn’t telling the entire truth – making this a catfish story unlike any Dr. Phil has ever covered. Tune in today to see the unexpected twists and turns as Dr. Phil’s investigation turns international!

#7 - Torn Between Her Heart and Head: Is Anna’s Boyfriend Real?

Season 19 - Episode 47 - Aired 11/17/2020

Dr. Phil meets Nino and his fiancée, Alexandria, who say they are 100% convinced Nino’s mom, Anna, is being scammed by her alleged online boyfriend, “Sammie Lee Strong.” Despite their efforts to intervene, Nino says Anna is ignoring all the red flags and has sent “Sammie” over $120,000. Anna says she loves “Sammie,” but Nino has put so much doubt into her head, she doesn’t know who to believe. But where is “Sammie”? And, how can Dr. Phil help Anna? Find out today on part 1 of this three-part story.

#8 - Is “Maria” Real? A Big Surprise for David

Season 19 - Episode 46 - Aired 11/16/2020

David says he is in love with a Christian woman from Texas named “Maria,” who claims she has an inheritance of $10 million. David says even though they have never met, he has paid $25,000 over the last two-and-a-half years to their lawyer in order to get the inheritance money. Dr. Phil investigates “Maria” to find out if she is a real person or if David is part of an online catfish scam.

#9 - My Dad Believes He’s Married to a Woman Named ‘Maria’ He’s Never Met

Season 19 - Episode 45 - Aired 11/13/2020

Shelby wants to find the truth about her father, David’s, online relationship with a woman he has never met. David says he met a woman named “Maria” online, and she has an inheritance of $10 million. David says he knows for a fact that “Maria” is a real person and can’t wait to introduce her to his daughter one day. Shelby says her relationship with her dad is broken and wishes he would spend more time with her, rather than chasing a woman who she fears doesn’t exist.

#10 - 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?

#11 - 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.

#12 - When Being Daddy’s Girl Goes Too Far

Season 18 - Episode 164 - Aired 5/11/2020

In part 1 of two episodes, Dr. Phil meets Cheryl, her ex-husband, Dave, and their youngest daughter, Stephanie, who say oldest daughter, Cassie, has been a drug addict and an alcoholic for years and needs an intervention. One source of contention is the allegation that Dave not only did drugs with Cassie but also received money from her that she admittedly earned through prostitution. Dave counters that, despite using drugs with Cassie twice, he did not encourage Cassie to be a prostitute and he gave back the money Cassie earned through prostitution. Dave contends that he is actually fighting for Cassie’s sobriety and has helped save her life by giving her a home to live in. Things take an uncertain turn when Cassie decides to leave the studio one hour before the taping and runs down Melrose Avenue to a liquor store with staffers chasing her. Will Cassie ever make it to stage to talk to Dr. Phil?

#13 - Teenage Rage

Season 11 - Episode 78 - Aired 1/9/2013

A couple say they are desperate to calm their violent 15-year-old son, and the mother tells what she recently found in the boy's bedroom that shocked her to her core.

#14 - J.R. Martinez Opens Up to Dr. Phil

Season 11 - Episode 129 - Aired 4/4/2013

#15 - It's Either Me or Your Deadbeat Son

Season 11 - Episode 163 - Aired 5/22/2013

#16 - “My Wife Tricked Me into Getting a Divorce”

Season 18 - Episode 76 - Aired 1/6/2020

Doug says he and his ex-wife, Amy, have been living in the same house since their recent divorce so they can co-parent their two children. He says it wasn’t his idea to end the marriage – and he wants his wife back. He blames his former steroid addiction for causing him to have an affair with an 18-year-old cheerleader. Amy claims Doug was always an abusive husband, and steroids only made it worse. She says Doug is using their children to manipulate her and pressure her to reconcile. She says she’s done with the marriage and wants nothing from Doug except to co-parent.

#17 - “Terrorized By My 10-Year-Old”

Season 18 - Episode 80 - Aired 1/10/2020

Alisha says her 10-year-old son, Kevin, is pushing his family to their limits of tolerance as they live in fear of his next violent outburst. They currently have to hide all the knives and lighters in the house, and his other siblings have to barricade themselves in their rooms at night when he flies into a rage. Alisha says she’s more frightened of the future Kevin hurting her entire family or ending someone’s life one day. She says Dr. Phil is her last hope to control her son’s behavior before it’s too late.

#18 - Coronavirus: Parenting Under Quarantine

Season 18 - Episode 130 - Aired 3/24/2020

COVID-19 has changed life as we know it. Here, in the United States, nearly 100,000 schools have closed, resulting in over 40 million children forced to stay home and leaving their parents with a new set of challenges. From children struggling with cabin fever and teens trying to cope with losing their senior year of high school, to parents struggling to turn their homes into classrooms, Dr. Phil is tackling all these new parenting struggles and more. Today, from a remote location, Dr. Phil is speaking with parents and teens from around the country, answering crucial questions when it comes to living and parenting under quarantine.

#19 - 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.

#20 - My Drug-Addicted, Mooching, Ex-Marine Brother Needs to Get His Life Together and Our Parents Need to Stop Enabling Him!

Season 14 - Episode 85 - Aired 1/25/2016

Adrienne says her drug-addict brother's lying and manipulative ways are killing their parents, and the family reunites on Dr. Phil's stage.

#21 - In Cold Blood: A Daughter Murdered, Part Two

Season 9 - Episode 159 - Aired 5/23/2011

A murdered child's mother and sister confront one of her killers.

#22 - Generation Lazy?

Season 10 - Episode 62 - Aired 12/7/2011

#23 - Young & Reckless; Ask Dr. Phil

Season 11 - Episode 168 - Aired 7/16/2013

#24 - Dr. Phil, You Saved Me Once, Can You Save Me Again? Now I'm Addicted to a Raging Husband and My Kids Are Paying the Price!

Season 14 - Episode 117 - Aired 3/9/2016

Jared has anger and mood swings that he does not know how to control, and his wife fears his violent outbursts and threats to harm himself.

#25 - Missing in the Dark World of Sex Trafficking

Season 21 - Episode 133 - Aired 4/24/2023

Four years ago, 15-year-old Kristen Galvan ran away from home. Kristen’s mother, Robyn, claims an up-and-coming Houston rapper lured her daughter with promises of nice things and pretty nails. After a desperate two-week search, police found her little girl on a Houston street notorious for prostitution. Two months later, Kristen disappeared again, drawn into the dark world of child sex trafficking. She’s now been missing for three years.