The BEST episodes of Dr. Phil season 17

#1 - “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.

#2 - Dad Confronts Daughter’s Abuser

Season 17 - Episode 47 - Aired 11/13/2018

Dr. Phil continues his conversation with D’Andre, who claims that his abusive relationship with his girlfriend, Autumn, is partly due to what he calls her “messed up” upbringing. And, hear what D’Andre says about violating the restraining order that Autumn has against him. Plus, psychiatrist and member of the Dr. Phil Advisory Board Dr. Charles Sophy weighs in. Find out why he says he believes Autumn’s parents are partly responsible for her constantly running to D’Andre.

#3 - Exes at War: Who's Behind the CPS Reports? And Charlamagne Tha God's Blueprint for Beating Fear and Anxiety

Season 17 - Episode 52 - Aired 11/20/2018

Bronwyn and Brett each have thousands of pages of evidence claiming the other parent is unfit and have been battling in court for years; Charlamagne Tha God (radio show "The Breakfast Club") tells how anxiety has been a driving force in his life.

#4 - Arrested for Keying Ex-Boyfriend’s Car

Season 17 - Episode 46 - Aired 11/12/2018

Autumn says she was called a “crazy, jealous girlfriend” after a video of her keying her ex-boyfriend’s car went viral. But Autumn claims she was pushed to the point of insanity after being stuck in a cycle of abuse for almost two years, where she claims her ex-boyfriend, D’Andre, choked her, head-butted her and sexually assaulted her– but, D’Andre denies sexually assaulting her. Autumn’s father, Sean, says one time, he picked up his daughter from D’Andre’s house and she had swollen eyes and blood coming out of her nose and mouth. Sean says his daughter refused to press charges because she did not want to get D’Andre in trouble. Why is Autumn defending D’Andre to her parents?

#5 - Witness to Murder

Season 17 - Episode 48 - Aired 11/14/2018

As a young boy, 11-year-old Collier Landry heard his father murder his mother in the dead of night. The only witnesses were Collier and his little sister, who claimed she saw, “Daddy hit Mommy and wrap her up like a snowman.” Their father, Dr. John Boyle’s, murder trial was the trial of the decade — a pregnant mistress, a secret house, a body buried under the floorboards, and a key witness, Collier, who faced his father and helped put him behind bars. Now, more than two decades after the notorious murder, Collier is confronting his father to get answers about his mother’s death. Collier speaks out in an exclusive interview.

#6 - A Catfish Meets Her Victim

Season 17 - Episode 50 - Aired 11/16/2018

Alan’s social media pictures have been used for nine years as catfish bait to lure women into online relationships. The catfish has been caught and “he” is really a “she” – 24-year-old Sarah. Sarah’s boyfriend, “Ken,” says he had no idea she was conning so many women for so many years. Sarah meets her bait, and Dr. Phil uncovers why Sarah says she has been pretending to be a man online for so long. Amanda and Alan claim Sarah is addicted to catfishing and really good at lying, and say they don’t believe she will ever stop. Can Sarah stop the con?

#7 - My Cat-Hoarding Obsession is Ruining My Marriage

Season 17 - Episode 60 - Aired 12/5/2018

Pamela wrote into the show saying she is obsessed with the 15 cats that currently live in her home, and she’s worried that her cat obsession might cause the end of her fourth marriage. Pamela says she is consumed with anxiety about the welfare of her cats and rarely leaves her home for fear that something bad might happen to them, and she says she is terrified that one of her cats might die. In fact, Pamela, a recent breast cancer survivor, admits, “I’d rather have breast cancer again than lose another cat.” Her husband, Mitch, says their lives revolve around the cats’ needs and feeding schedules, and he and Pamela get into fights about it. Mitch says something needs to change.

#8 - I Believe I’m Being Electronically Harassed And Tricked Into Seeing Aliens!

Season 17 - Episode 75 - Aired 1/7/2019

Three years ago, after attempting to summon UFOS, Debbie says she began seeing aliens and other apparitions in and around her home. Debbie says she thought she was going crazy or had possibly opened a portal to hell. But now, Debbie says she has figured out why she is having these strange visions. Debbie believes she is being electronically harassed. She believes whoever is harassing her has somehow tampered with her optic nerve and is projecting false images of aliens! Even worse, she says these electronic harassers are now using other torture methods, including electric shock and gang stalking, just to mess with her mind. Debbie’s husband, Tony, says he believes Debbie has a mental illness. He says Debbie’s constant talk of aliens and electronic harassment is hurting their marriage because he simply doesn’t believe it, and it leads to constant arguments. Is Debbie really being electronically harassed? Can Dr. Phil help her? Find out!

#9 - Teenage Brides and Horrific Abuse: Escaping the Secret Life of Polygamy

Season 17 - Episode 76 - Aired 1/8/2019

It’s a story Dr. Phil has been deeply involved in for over 13 years, and with an estimated 10,000 current members, one he vows to continue to cover until the alleged abuse in the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints stops. It’s been more than a decade since FLDS prophetic leader Warren Jeffs was arrested and sentenced to life in prison, but despite Jeffs being behind bars, some of his devoted followers are still active and dispersed across the country. Today, Dr. Phil speaks with two former FLDS members who take viewers inside this controversial religious group. Marirlynn claims her sexual abuse, all in the name of God, began at just 4 years old. Ian says Warren Jeffs is his uncle. He says Jeffs told him, as a little boy, he’d “burn in hell” if he didn’t obey. Ian says he was kicked out at 15 and hasn’t spoken with his mother or father in eight years.

#10 - My Lazy Son Has No Empathy for My Cancer” And “My Mom Acts Like My Sister and Not My Mother

Season 17 - Episode 79 - Aired 1/11/2019

Vera says her 22-year-old son, Michael, always had a comfortable life. But when she got diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011, her son’s life was turned upside down. She says Michael is now negative, lazy, hates rules, and spends days lounging on the couch and watching daytime TV. Vera says now she’s dealing with stage-four cancer and she’s worried Michael will end up homeless after she passes away. Can Dr. Phil help this family? Then, Isaac says his mother, Christina, has told him multiple times that he ruined her life. Christina was just 15 years old when she gave birth to him. Christina says the problem is Isaac’s lack of respect. She claims he has sent her horrible texts calling her a monster, snotty, not wife material and saying she was never a mom to him. Isaac says their relationship is dysfunctional but this is the closest they have ever been.

#11 - Bakersfield 3: What the Profiler Revealed

Season 17 - Episode 81 - Aired 1/15/2019

Dr. Phil continues his conversation with Cheryl and Jane, whose offspring are missing, and Di, whose son was shot and killed while driving in a quiet Bakersfield neighborhood; a reporter, a former police detective and a former FBI profiler weigh in.

#12 - 12 Kids, One on the Way, and Too Many Problems

Season 17 - Episode 61 - Aired 12/6/2018

Michelle says her super-sized family of 12 children, ranging from 28 years old to 6 with number 13 due in two months, is full of problems from addiction, to clutter to finances. But many of the children say they feel neglected by their parents. They say Michelle is always busy being pregnant, YouTubing or paying the bills. And they say their father, Rod, is just a man who lives in their house who they don’t really know because he’s always working. For the first time, the children speak up regarding their needs and wants — but will their parents hear their requests? And, Dr. Phil helps Michelle and Rod with a new parenting plan, but Michelle doesn’t agree with all of it. Will she change her mind?

#13 - Accusations of Trespassing, Stalking and Lies: Twin Daughters Caught in the Middle

Season 17 - Episode 64 - Aired 12/11/2018

Stacie says her ex-husband has involved their 17-year-old twin daughters in some of his unhealthy behaviors, and they have refused to see him for the past eight months because he has been harassing, stalking and freaking them out.

#14 - My 14-Year-Old Son Is Accused of Killing His Siblings; Up and Vanished: Where Is Kristal Reisinger?

Season 17 - Episode 65 - Aired 12/12/2018

A teen is accused of killing his baby brother and sister, but his mother insists he is innocent and has no behavioral issues; Payne Lindsey (podcast "Up and Vanished") looks into a small-town mom's disappearance; preview of Dr. Phil's new podcast.

#15 - My Sister Is Grooming Her 6-Year-Old Son to Become Transgender

Season 17 - Episode 44 - Aired 11/8/2018

Family members feel that Carly is pushing her child to transition from male to female too soon, and they think the child is complying with her in order to get her approval; former guests Toni and her transgender daughter, Ash, discuss their journey.

#16 - A Secret Revealed; “My Sister-in-Law is a Danger to Her Son”

Season 17 - Episode 77 - Aired 1/9/2019

Megan says that six months ago, she was shocked to discover that her sister-in-law, Lindsay, was hiding a dark secret, and her brother, Chad, was covering up for her. Megan says all was exposed after Lindsay was arrested for allegedly being under the influence of heroin and crashing her SUV into multiple cars with her infant son in the backseat. That’s when Megan says Chad came clean about Lindsay’s long-term drug addiction. Megan says he even admitted that Lindsay overdosed while three months pregnant, and their baby was born addicted. Megan says despite everything, Chad is giving his wife another chance and allowing Lindsay to be alone with their infant son. Lindsay insists she is six months sober, but is she telling the truth?

#17 - My Husband Butt Dialed Me and Unknowingly Revealed He Blew His Secret Inheritance

Season 17 - Episode 58 - Aired 12/3/2018

Angie says her husband of 25 years, John, is a liar who kept his inheritance a secret and spent over $100,000 without her knowledge. She says John almost got away with it, until he “accidentally” butt dialed her. When she listened to the voicemail, she says she heard him unknowingly confess everything. But despite being caught red-handed, Angie says John refuses to admit what or who he blew all that money on. That is until he reveals the full extent to Dr. Phil.

#18 - “My Husband’s Face Has Been Used as Catfish Bait”

Season 17 - Episode 49 - Aired 11/15/2018

Alan and Amanda say for the past nine years, Alan’s pictures from social media have been used as catfish bait to lure women into online relationships. Several of the victims of this catfish reached out to Amanda and Alan warning them, but Amanda says it got scary when she learned one of the victims received interior and exterior pictures of Amanda and Alan’s home. With the help of a private investigator, Alan and Amanda discovered the catfish wasn’t a man after all — but a 24-year-old woman with a boyfriend, who says he had no idea she was living this secret online life. Dr. Phil discovers this isn’t the first time this catfish has been caught.

#19 - My Wife Refuses To Admit She's Been Unfaithful Hundreds Of Times

Season 17 - Episode 43 - Aired 11/7/2018

Jeff insists his wife, Audrey, has been hiding a secret from him for 20 years! Jeff says he is convinced Audrey is a dangerous sex addict who has had affairs with hundreds of men over the course of their relationship. Jeff says he would be willing to forgive and forget Audrey’s indiscretions but says she absolutely refuses to come clean about even one act of infidelity. Audrey says she continues to deny everything because she has never been unfaithful. Jeff admits there isn’t one trace of evidence Audrey is cheating, but says that is because Audrey is no different than a serial killer who has perfected her skill set so well, she is uncatchable. In fact, Jeff calls Audrey the Ted Bundy of serial cheaters. Will Audrey admit to even one affair? And, find out the shocking revelation that brings Jeff to tears.

#20 - Lies, Betrayal and Custody: It's Been 2 Years Since We've Seen Our Daughter

Season 17 - Episode 41 - Aired 11/5/2018

Kimberly says she had so choice but to obtain guardianship of her then-6-year-old niece because the child's parents were neglectful drug addicts with a history of arrests; they want her back, despite currently living in a homeless shelter.

#21 - A Teen Obsessed with Beauty and Perfection

Season 17 - Episode 62 - Aired 12/7/2018

Seventeen-year-old Tamara claims nothing is more important than looking perfect. Tamara says she spends $7,000 a month maintaining her perfect looks, including getting lip injections at 16 years old and having her own personal glam squad at her beck and call. Tamara says she spends two hours getting her hair and makeup done just to workout at the gym. Tamara says nothing is too extreme for perfection, including a shoe and bag collection worth over $50,000 and having a brand-new Range Rover, despite only having a driver’s permit. Tamara says her physical beauty has also been quite lucrative online, where she has tens of thousands of “fans.” Tamara’s mother says nothing she says can stop her daughter from trying to look perfect.

#22 - Our Lying Daughter Would Rather Live in a Car Than with Her Own Child

Season 17 - Episode 123 - Aired 3/14/2019

#23 - A Therapist Involved in a Money Laundering Scam Faces Prison Time

Season 17 - Episode 124 - Aired 3/15/2019

James says his 58-year-old Aunt Terri is a very smart and independent woman, who is a marriage counselor with a master’s degree in clinical psychology. James claims Aunt Terri has fallen for a celebrity catfish scam, by believing she was romantically involved with Hollywood actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan from The Walking Dead. Terri says she even believed he wanted to marry her. Whoever contacted Terri online isn’t the real Jeffrey Dean Morgan. But Terri claims she’s 100 percent convinced that the actor or someone working with him is her “secret lover” who scammed her out of thousands of dollars, and put her in the center of an international money laundering scam that left her broke, brokenhearted, and potentially behind bars.

#24 - The Master Mentalist

Season 17 - Episode 125 - Aired 3/18/2019

We all know that information can be relayed via the five senses. But, do you believe information can be transmitted via a sixth sense, such as intuition? Master mentalist Lior Suchard says he can use his mind like a precision tool to read minds and influence thoughts. Find out what Lior revealed after talking to Robin McGraw, and how he used his unique gifts to change the minds of some skeptics in the audience.

#25 - Hidden: The Girl Abducted and Held Captive for 29 Days

Season 17 - Episode 126 - Aired 3/19/2019

The unbelievable story of a 15-year-old girl, kidnapped, abused, and hidden in a closet for 29 days. Jasmine Block was lured into a car by a family friend, and that’s when her nightmare began. Three men held her captive and attempted to kill her over and over. But Jasmine survived. In an exclusive interview, she speaks about her abduction and dramatic escape.