The BEST episodes of Dr. Phil

#1 - 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.

#2 - Whatever It Takes

Season 9 - Episode 74 - Aired 1/7/2011

A lead investigator and a former student involved in the Steinmetz Academic Decathlon cheating scandal; the lengths to which some college students go to ace an exam; the latest cheating techniques used in schools.

#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 - 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.

#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 - 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.

#7 - 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!

#8 - 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.

#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 - 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.

#11 - 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.

#12 - “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?

#13 - 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.

#14 - “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?

#15 - 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.

#16 - 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.

#17 - Generation Lazy?

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

#18 - 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.

#19 - 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.

#20 - “Tales of Deception and Terror: Virtual Kidnapping” And “A Deadly Love Scam, Deceit and 'Dirty John'”

Season 17 - Episode 78 - Aired 1/10/2019

Andy and his wife, Bridget, say they were petrified after receiving a call from a scammer posing as a kidnapper who claimed he was holding their daughter, Sam, hostage for ransom money. Dr. Phil explains to the frightened couple that this trending scam is called “virtual kidnapping,” as he instructs the audience on how to recognize these types of scammers. Then, Dr. Phil meets with Debra Newell, the real woman behind the popular podcast and hit Bravo series Dirty John. Debra was a single, successful business owner who had raised her four children when she decided she was ready to go online to try to find love. Then, Debra met John, a man who first seemed like a charming, intelligent doctor but later revealed he was emotionally abusive with a dangerous and criminal past. Detective Julia Bowman also talks about how unbeknownst to Debra, she had arrested John in 2013 for stalking and harassing an ex, and he later tried to put a hit out on the detective.

#21 - 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.

#22 - My Family is Sabotaging My Life and My Inheritance

Season 19 - Episode 81 - Aired 1/21/2021

Natalie claims her inheritance has been completely sabotaged by her sister, Pascale, and mother, Mimi! She says they both claim she became “aggressive” with their family friend, Harry, who she was the live-in caretaker for. Natalie says she was wrongfully arrested and charged for crimes of elder abuse and battery, and her mom and sister are the ones to blame. Natalie says she has since been kicked out of Harry’s home and been served a restraining order against him, and feels like everyone is treating her as if she’s a “murderer”! Pascale, Mimi and Harry all tell a different story. Who is really to blame?

#23 - 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.

#24 - Amanda's Secret: Forbidden Love

Season 14 - Episode 101 - Aired 2/16/2016

Amanda says her father molested her for 15 years; her mother and other family members refuse to believe her, but her grandmother says they are in denial; the three women come face-to-face to get to the bottom of what happened.

#25 - COVID Debt and Controlling Husband: Should We Divorce?

Season 19 - Episode 61 - Aired 12/8/2020

Denise says her marriage to her husband, David, is on the rocks, and since the pandemic, things have only gotten worse. Denise claims David controls her life, including their finances, and she has become obedient to him. She says their family is in debt, they are about to be evicted, and she claims David still refuses to let her work. Denise says the stress of their marriage is causing their autistic daughter to act out, and she doesn’t know what to do. David says their marriage is not as bad as Denise describes, and their main issues are finances and raising their children. But Denise’s sister, Sue, claims she has not seen Denise in six years due to David’s controlling ways and says Denise needs to leave him.