The BEST episodes of Dr. Phil season 18
Every episode of Dr. Phil season 18, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Dr. Phil season 18!
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 - Our Family is Being Bullied by Raging Ryan
Season 18 - Episode 100 - Aired 2/7/2020
Alyssa, Amanda, and their brother, Dylan, say they live in fear of their 25-year-old brother, Ryan, who turns into a monster, destroying whatever is in his path if he doesn’t get what he wants, which mainly includes: spending money, his favorite meals and a continuous supply of marijuana. The family says when Ryan rages, he will kick holes in walls, punch doors, destroy furniture, and scream at the top of his lungs. They say Ryan has even terrified Alyssa so badly that she hid in her closet with her dog and a Taser! But despite all of Ryan’s acts of intimidation, his siblings and their mother, Erika, admit to giving into almost all of Ryan’s demands to make sure he is kept happy. But is Ryan “happy?” Dr. Phil talks with Ryan and learns more about what is going on behind his violent rages that go on at home.
Watch Now:Amazon
#2 - 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.
#3 - 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.
Watch Now:Amazon
#4 - 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?
Watch Now:Amazon
#5 - “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.
Watch Now:Amazon
#6 - From College Scholarship to Stealing, Smoking and Living in the Car
Season 18 - Episode 166 - Aired 5/13/2020
In high school, Karenna was an overachiever. She had a full college scholarship but only went for a week. Her mom, Deena, claims that since Karenna started hanging out with her boyfriend, Tommie, last year, she’s been on a downward spiral of smoking weed, lying, stealing, and getting fired from jobs. Deena says her daughter isn’t allowed in her house anymore because she isn’t following the rules and sneaks Tommie inside. Karenna defends Tommie and claims it’s actually her mother who is the problem. Both mother and daughter wrote in to the show desperate to fix their relationship before it’s too late.
Watch Now:Amazon
#7 - Will Cassie Keep Running or Will She Finally Meet Dr. Phil?
Season 18 - Episode 165 - Aired 5/12/2020
In part 2, Dr. Phil finally meets 28-year-old Cassie, who admits to being a drug addict since high school and using drugs with her father, Dave, in the past. Cassie ran out of the studio one hour before taping, with staffers chasing her, to buy alcohol. So, is Cassie really ready to be sober?
Watch Now:Amazon#8 - Feeding My Addiction
Season 18 - Episode 163 - Aired 5/8/2020
Mike and his fiancée, Ashley, have a beautiful home, a sweet 6-year-old daughter and a baby boy on the way. But, there is a dark secret tearing them apart -- Mike is an opioid addict. Recently, Ashley was at the courthouse picking up paperwork to evict her fiancé. Today, she even brought the papers with her. Will Dr. Phil have Mike sign those papers? Also, author Dan Peres shares his new memoir, As Needed for Pain, where he reveals his addiction to Vicodin after a back injury. At one point, he was taking as many as 60 pills a day while making a name for himself in the early 2000s as the editor-in-chief of Details magazine.
#9 - My Boyfriend is Married and His Wife is Irrelevant to Me
Season 18 - Episode 86 - Aired 1/20/2020
Eighteen-year-old Brooklyn says she is sick and tired of her mother butting into her love life and trying to ruin her relationship with her boyfriend, Eric. Brooklyn’s mother, Courtney, admits she wants nothing more than to see them apart, but that’s only because Brooklyn’s boyfriend has two children and a wife. Brooklyn says her mother needs to back off, or she will have no other choice than to file a restraining order against her for harassment. Eric’s wife, Mandy, says she wants Brooklyn to leave her husband alone. She says she’s here to fight for her marriage.
#10 - We Think Our Mother and Her Husband Are Being Duped by Her Online Boyfriend
Season 18 - Episode 93 - Aired 1/29/2020
Marcy and Todd say their 71-year-old mother, Renee, may be married to their stepfather, Harold, but that hasn’t stopped her from giving away hundreds of thousands of dollars to an online scammer who Renee says she is in love with. Renee, a retired mortgage banker, says her children live in another state and don’t have the first clue about her relationship with “Thomas" or “Tom Nunez Hughs,” who is handsome and wealthy but unfortunately is stuck in South Africa. Renee says her boyfriend is the most romantic man she has ever met, even more so than her husband, who she plans to divorce once “Thomas Hughs” returns to the U.S. Marcy and Todd say their mother’s obsession has escalated to frightening proportions. Now, Marcy has disinvited her mother to her wedding because Renee is completely absorbed in her relationship with this catfish. And, Todd says he has not spoken to his mother in two years because she only wants money from him to give to her online lover. As Dr. Phil investigates Renee’s love life, she learns essential information about “Thomas Nunez Hughs.”
#11 - A “Dr. Phil” Catfish Investigation: What’s Really Inside Lois’ Safe?
Season 18 - Episode 170 - Aired 5/19/2020
Dr. Phil continues to uncover the truth behind Lois’ online relationships. Last year, Lois says she met with an "associate" of one of her former fiancés, "The General," and received something extremely valuable and keeps it in her home safe under lock and key. Today, Dr. Phil opens Lois’ safe. What is inside? Dr. Phil enlists the help of retired U.S. Secret Service Agent Ron Williams to analyze its contents. Dr. Phil also locates another one of Lois’ alleged former fiancés, “Fred Adler,” who Lois claims is working in Africa. Lois says “Fred” is a "good and honest man." Today, find out if “Fred” is telling Lois the truth.
#12 - My Teen Son: Childhood Cancer Survivor To Gang Member
Season 18 - Episode 121 - Aired 3/9/2020
Sharon says her 15-year-old son, Gabe, a childhood cancer survivor, has been in trouble with the law since he got arrested at age 12 and is now hanging out with alleged gang members. Gabe’s dad, Jason, claims his wife sinks to Gabe’s level and doesn’t understand Gabe is who he is and can’t be forced to change. Gabe’s older brother, Jadian, says his parents allow Gabe to manipulate them. Sharon’s best friend, Rosalie, says both Sharon and Jason blame Gabe’s cancer for his behavioral problems. Gabe says he likes to hang out with his “homies” and says his mom gets too emotional about everything he does.
#13 - A Parent Accused: Jim Confronts His Children
Season 18 - Episode 107 - Aired 2/18/2020
Dr. Phil continues to speak with parents, Liz and Jim, about why each blames the other for their son’s drug addiction. Liz says she blames what she calls Jim’s abusive parenting philosophy for their son retreating to drugs, which Jim vehemently denies. Find out what happens when Jim faces his daughter, Chloe, and son, Nic. Will they support their mother’s accusations against their father?
#14 - Coronavirus Naysayers: “We’re Still Going To Live Our Lives”
Season 18 - Episode 132 - Aired 3/26/2020
As COVID-19 spreads across the United States, state officials have begun to establish curfews, shut down public spaces, and institute a host of other restrictions. Ava, a former Dr. Phil guest, is making headlines again. The 21-year-old college student who defied all the rules went viral on TikTok for licking a toilet seat on an airplane, as she headed to spring break festivities. Ava says the coronavirus is fake news made up by social media. Then, law enforcement visited Pastor Tony Spell because, in continuing to minister to his congregation, he violated an emergency order banning groups of more than 50 people. While Pastor Tony admittedly had over 1,100 people at Sunday Service, he says not allowing large groups to worship but letting people shop is a persecution of the faith.
#15 - Losing 400 Lbs., Gaining it All Back and More
Season 18 - Episode 108 - Aired 2/19/2020
Today, a transformation like you would not believe! At 26 years old, David was 600 pounds. At 31, David started exercising and eating right, and without gastric bypass surgery, David says he went from a dud to a stud losing 400 pounds in two years! However, David has transformed himself again, and now, the 43-year-old weighs 656 pounds. David says something happened to him when he was young, and it could be the reason why he can’t keep the weight off. David’s younger sister, Jen, and David’s father say they’re afraid David is going to die soon, and Dr. Phil is his only hope for help.
#16 - A Teen Missing 399 Days: Was She Being Kept Prisoner?
Season 18 - Episode 109 - Aired 2/20/2020
Hailey Burns was only 16 years old when she disappeared from her home in North Carolina. After 399 days, she was found, reportedly malnourished and confined behind a gate in the bedroom of a 31-year-old man she met online. The man, Michael Wysolovski, insisted he was helping Hailey, and their BDSM relationship was consensual. In a daytime exclusive, Hailey tells her story. Admitting that she went with Wysolovski willingly, she claims their 399 days together included non-consensual acts, and she is struggling to deal with the aftermath of her experience.
#17 - A Family of Lawyers Embroiled in a Dangerous Dispute
Season 18 - Episode 110 - Aired 2/21/2020
Dr. Phil meets a family of lawyers torn apart by a dark accusation. Heather claims to have been raped by her father and alleges that a video of the rape was then sold on the dark web for millions of dollars. Heather’s father, sister Jennifer, and niece Amanda all claim that this is a terrible, damaging lie – one of many told by Heather over the years -- but what is the truth of the matter? Does Heather produce evidence to support her claims? Tune in to find out!
#18 - Our Device Addicted Violent Teen Controls the House
Season 18 - Episode 111 - Aired 2/24/2020
Kathi says she lives in fear of her 14-year-old son, Nico, who plays video games up to 17 hours a day, has stolen his mom’s credit card and charged thousands to buy tokens for his games, and only went to school six days this year before refusing to attend because he wants to stay at home and game. Kathi says Nico’s violent outbursts are becoming exceedingly dangerous, and when she tries to get Nico to put down his video game controls, he rages, curses, and terrorizes the household. Kathi says Nico learned his violent behavior from his father, Evo, and Evo agrees. He says he is the ultimate sucker for his son even though Nico threatens his parents’ lives almost daily.
#19 - My Mooching Mom Has 5 Months to Get a Life
Season 18 - Episode 112 - Aired 2/25/2020
Time is of the essence for Cindy. Her daughter, Cheyenne, is a 24-year-old-college student and also her primary caretaker and sole financial supporter. Cheyenne’s boyfriend, Blake, calls Cheyenne Cinderella and wants to propose, but he says he doesn’t want Cindy ruling their future. Cheyenne says she will no longer be able to support her 56-year-old mom in five months when her college loans run out. The clock is ticking for Cheyenne and Cindy to find a way to both stand on their own.
#20 - A Blown Inheritance and Threats with a Loaded Gun: Our Mother is Out of Control
Season 18 - Episode 113 - Aired 2/26/2020
Siblings Kristle, Kayla, and Patrick all claim their mother Sherry is out of control. They say she’s blown through an inheritance worth over a quarter of a million dollars in the past 11 months by running up $500 bar tabs with her friends and strangers, and buying lavish things, like multiple motorcycles. But that’s not all. These adult children claim Sherry is popping non-prescribed pills and washing them down with rum after work. They claim her behavior has even become violent, including pulling out a loaded gun during an argument with Kayla on Christmas Eve. Sherry admits she spent the inheritance and pulled out the gun, but says abusing pills and alcohol is all in her past.
#21 - “Doomsday Couple” Found in Hawaii; Family of Missing Children Speak Out
Season 18 - Episode 114 - Aired 2/27/2020
It's a mystery that has America absolutely baffled. An Idaho teenager and her younger brother with special needs vanish and have not been seen by anyone in almost four months. Their mother, Lori Vallow, appears completely unbothered by the fact that her two children are just gone, and is in Hawaii seemingly carefree with her fifth and newest husband, Chad Daybell, who reportedly has extreme religious beliefs. Adding to the mystery, four untimely deaths surround Lori and Chad, yet she still refuses to say a single word about her children’s whereabouts. How could these children just go missing for months without a trace? Where are they? Today, family members of Lori Vallow speak to Dr. Phil to try and shine a light on this unbelievable situation.
#22 - Real Life “Pretty Woman” … Not So Pretty Ending!
Season 18 - Episode 115 - Aired 2/28/2020
Jessica says she believed that once she married her Prince Charming, Jerry, she would never have to work as an escort again. Well, flash forward 27 years later, and Jessica is still keeping men company for money! Her husband, Jerry, says he is just fine with Jessica’s profession, but claims that he and Jessica are on the verge of divorce because Jessica doesn’t trust him and thinks he’s cheating on her! Jessica claims her husband is a lying, uncaring, unsympathetic psychopath, as she has been abused multiple times by her clients. Can Dr. Phil help save this atypical marriage?
#23 - Drunk and in Denial
Season 18 - Episode 116 - Aired 3/2/2020
Three siblings, Ashley, Marena, and Tony, have come together to confront their mother, Traci, who they claim is a raging alcoholic. They accuse Traci of drinking six-to-seven nights a week and refusing to acknowledge or believe she has a drinking problem. Traci’s boyfriend, Jeff, says Traci is absolutely not an alcoholic, she just drinks because she is constantly stressed out by her children! Tony and Marena refuse to allow Traci to see her grandchildren until Traci admits that she has a problem. Are Traci’s children overreacting, or does Traci have a serious problem that needs to be addressed?
#24 - Extreme Sentencing: Bail Reform
Season 18 - Episode 117 - Aired 3/3/2020
Dr. Phil investigates a controversial new law known as "bail reform," where judges will no longer have the power to set bail for a long list of misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies. Dr. Phil meets two esteemed judges, Rosemarie Aquilina and Darrell Jordan, who are in strong opposition to each other on this issue. Then, hear from Akeem Browder, whose brother Kalief took his own life after spending three years in a violent jail for a crime he did not commit because he could not afford bail, and a woman whose nephew died in a car accident caused by a drunk driver who was released from jail weeks after his arrest. Plus, Duane Chapman, aka “Dog The Bounty Hunter,” who strongly opposes the new law claiming it favors criminals over the safety of the general public, will join the conversation. How will bail reform affect the average citizen?
#25 - Young Parents at War: Baby at Risk?
Season 18 - Episode 118 - Aired 3/4/2020
JenaLeigh’s brother, Wade, had a surprise baby with his ex-girlfriend, Margaret. JenaLeigh and her mother, Jeanne, say they are now worried about the baby’s safety because they claim his parents have a physically and verbally abusive relationship. And, to top it off, Wade is being evicted from the home he rents from his uncle, John, who claims Wade has turned it into a disaster. Can Dr. Phil help these young parents at war?