Sinking to his own level

From the New York Post:

January 18, 2008 -- DR. Phil, who is reportedly under investigation by the California Board of Psychology for practicing without a license in Britney Spears' lastest flipout, may be off the hook.

California authorities arecompelled to investigate any time a complaint is filed.

But McGraw's visit to Spears in the hospital earlier this month has turned into a huge embarassment for the TV shrink.

The complaint alleges McGraw, who does not hold a license to practice psychology in California, violated doctor-patient privilege by discussing the pop tard's case with the media.

Spears spent a night at Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Medical Center against her will after a showdown with police and EMTs right after the New Year's holiday. Because of confidentiality regulations, Jeffery Thomas, the organization's assistant executive officer, said he could not confirm the existence of a complaint - nor whether a purported complaint form against Dr. Phil that has been making its way around the Internet yesterday is authentic.

Reps for "The Dr. Phil Show" also declined to comment.

But the reported investigation may not last long or go very far, officials say.

Dr. Phil would have violated state law only if he charged Spears or her family for his services, according to state regulations.

McGraw is also not licensed to practice psychology in Texas, his home state, because of disciplinary sanctions imposed by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists in 1989. A former therapy client had filed a complaint against him, claiming their relationship was inappropriate. He later admitted giving her a job but denied touching her.

I dunno, sounds like the ideal therapist for someone like Britney Spears.

And if all that isn't enough just remember that it was Oprah that gave him his start.