TV host Dr. Phil's hospital visit with Britney Spears and his
subsequent public evaluation of her mental health may have landed
him in hot water.
A complaint has been filed with the California Board of
Psychology claiming Dr. Phil was practicing without a license.
Dr. Phil is not licensed to practice in California, and the talk
show host reportedly retired his license to practice in Texas in
2006.
This is not the first time Dr. Phil's involvement in Britney's
hospitalization has been questioned. Dr. Drew Pinsky of "Celebrity
Rehab with Dr. Drew" and "Loveline" recently told Access Hollywood,
"My concern was, I don't know that Dr. Phil has a license in
California. He's not on staff at Cedars. Is he interfering with the
care of another doctor's patient? I don't know."
Though practicing without a license is against the law, Dr. Phil
does not need one for his talk show. Guests sign a contract saying
they are aware that he is not medically treating them.
(Xinhua/Agencies January 18, 2008)