Disney a total fail at corporate synergizing
Brad Beam
David Bruggeman
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From: Brad Beam <b.b...@suddenlink.net>
Subject: [TV orNotTV] Disney a total fail at corporate synergizing
PGage
This does support Craig Ferguson's contention that McGraw is not a real doctor. Given that McGraw's license to practice was apparently retired a few years ago, Scottish Conan Guy is correct.
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McGraw is a "real" doctor (I include the quotes because some people think the only real doctors are physicians, which is a different argument). He has a Ph.D. from North Texas State University, apparently in clinical psychology (I have never been able to nail the exact subject of his doctorate degree authoritatively, but this is how it is most often described).
But being a real doctor of psychology is not the same thing as being certified to legally practice psychology, offer psychological services, and treat patients for mental health problems. To do these things, you have to be licensed by a state. McGraw was licensed by the state of Texas for many years. During that time he was found to have violated ethical standards once (he was found to have had a "dual relationship" with one of his former patients. There had been some allegation of inappropriate touching with her, but the final determination was limited to his having hired a former patient as a part-time employee without waiting a sufficient length of time). I think he was put on probation for a year, and then returned to full practice, until he voluntarily surrendered or retired his license (I don't think it is fair to day the license was retired, if that is meant to imply that it was somehow taken away from him, or was not voluntary). It is not uncommon to do this when psychologists know they are no longer going to be seeing patients, since it costs money to keep the license current, and you have to do 36 hours every 2 years of abominable continuing education, and having a license constantly exposes you to legal liability.
When McGraw had his headline grabbing encounter with Britney Spears it appeared to many that he had violated ethical obligations of confidentiality, but he had not, since he was not a licensed psychologist. He does have an obligation to make sure the public knows he is not a licensed psychologist, and he reports that he does this in writing and verbally on his show (I can not confirm that, as I have never seen his show). His show is an entertainment show, and is not in any way, even a little bit, offering mental health services.
He was invited to speak at the convention of the American Psychological Association (of which I am reluctantly a member) in 2006. I did not attend, and many colleagues I know were outraged with the invitation (he was also given some kind of medal by APA). The APA, which has always been something of a whore, justified it by the service he provides in making the public aware of psychological information, and de-stigmatizing mental disorders. The APA also tolerated psychologists consulting with the government about illegal torture. I am not sure which is worse.
A short article about him in the APA Monitor a few years ago, on the occasion of this APA presentation, below:
******************************
http://www.apa.org/monitor/oct06/drphil.aspx
Behind the scenes of the ‘Dr. Phil’ show
Television's Phil McGraw talked about his goal of bringing psychology into the nation's living rooms.
By Laurie Meyers
October 2006, Vol 37, No. 9
He became a national phenomenon on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," but Phil McGraw, PhD-television's "Dr. Phil"-envisioned more than fame when he left Oprah Winfrey's show to start his own, he explained in an invited presidential address at APA's 2006 Annual Convention. McGraw wanted to create a national forum for mental health issues.
"What if you could deliver common sense, understandable information about life and living and deliver it to the safety, security and privacy of people's homes every day for free?" asked McGraw. "I knew that if I could pull it off, it would be a forum unlike any I'd ever seen before."
Show standards
On his show, McGraw sees himself not as his guests' therapist, but as a moderator who hopefully gives people who are suffering in silence some steps they can take toward finding help. The show lets people know that "it's OK to identify and treat problems," said McGraw.
McGraw explained the steps he takes to make sure the show is useful as well as entertaining. Viewers suggest topics, which are vetted by a 12-person advisory board of physicians, nurses and psychologists, he said. The most common issues are parenting, relationship and money problems, he continued. The show's research team does "exhaustive" literature searches to make sure the content is cutting edge and sound, and the team gathers binders full of information on each guest prior to filming.
The show has very strict guidelines for guests, he emphasized. Anyone currently in treatment cannot appear on the show unless McGraw receives a written statement from his or her therapist saying it would not be harmful for the guest to appear. People who are on medication or have been hospitalized for mental health reasons also cannot appear on the show. The same is true for those who have attempted suicide or demonstrated suicidal ideation, unless the show is specifically about suicide.
After the show, his staff arrange therapy for guests who want further help back in their communities, and monitor their progress.
No substitute for therapy
McGraw acknowledges that the show is just a start. "We do not labor under the false impression that we are doing an eight-minute cure," he said. The show could "never be a meaningful substitute for therapy."
McGraw also emphasized what an important role practicing psychologists play in the community, citing the aid professionals continue to give in New Orleans, where the "water has receded but the disaster isn't over." In fact, his show filmed from New Orleans the entire APA convention week, giving McGraw a national platform from which to talk about mental health policy with decision-makers such as President Bush and members of Congress.
McGraw's work highlighting mental health issues earned him a Presidential Citation, given to him by APA President Gerald P. Koocher, PhD. "Your work has touched more Americans than any other living psychologist," Koocher read from the citation.
"I have received no more valued honor," said McGraw, whose late father was a psychologist. "I wish my dad was alive to see it."
Michael
her debilitating multiple-personality disorder.
>
> Television's Phil McGraw talked about his goal of bringing psychology into
> the nation's living rooms.
>
> By Laurie Meyers
> October 2006, Vol 37, No. 9
>
> He became a national phenomenon on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," but Phil
> McGraw, PhD-television's "Dr. Phil"-envisioned more than fame when he left
> Oprah Winfrey's show to start his own, he explained in an invited
> presidential address at APA's 2006 Annual Convention. McGraw wanted to
> create a national forum for mental health issues.
>
> "What if you could deliver common sense, understandable information about
> life and living and deliver it to the safety, security and privacy of
> people's homes every day for free?" asked McGraw. "I knew that if I could
> pull it off, it would be a forum unlike any I'd ever seen before."
>
> On his show, McGraw sees himself not as his guests' therapist, but as a
> moderator who hopefully gives people who are suffering in silence some steps
> they can take toward finding help. The show lets people know that "it's OK
> to identify and treat problems," said McGraw.
>
> McGraw explained the steps he takes to make sure the show is useful as well
> as entertaining. Viewers suggest topics, which are vetted by a 12-person
> advisory board of physicians, nurses and psychologists, he said. The most
> common issues are parenting, relationship and money problems, he continued.
> The show's research team does "exhaustive" literature searches to make sure
> the content is cutting edge and sound, and the team gathers binders full of
> information on each guest prior to filming.
>
> The show has very strict guidelines for guests, he emphasized. Anyone
> currently in treatment cannot appear on the show unless McGraw receives a
> written statement from his or her therapist saying it would not be harmful
> for the guest to appear. People who are on medication or have been
> hospitalized for mental health reasons also cannot appear on the show. The
> same is true for those who have attempted suicide or demonstrated suicidal
> ideation, unless the show is specifically about suicide.
>
> After the show, his staff arrange therapy for guests who want further help
> back in their communities, and monitor their progress.
>
Doug Eastick
> (I am a licensed psychologist).
OMG.
(as I self-assess what I've said on the list..... and wonders what
PGage's thoughts are on the regular contributors. Hmm, what have I
said....... Oh wait, nevermind, whatever I said was likely drowned out
by Kevin and a few others. Okay, I think I'm alright.)
:-)
PGage
That steam of consciousness recapitulates just about every grown-up party I have ever attended...
Kevin M.
> On Sun, Oct 31, 2010 at 2:53 PM, David Bruggeman <bru...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>
>> This does support Craig Ferguson's contention that McGraw is not a real
>> doctor. Given that McGraw's license to practice was apparently retired a
>> few years ago, Scottish Conan Guy is correct.
>>
>> http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3468/3750482552_6024990f7b_b.jpg
>
> This comes up for me periodically, both on this list and at work (I am a
> licensed psychologist). He is a doctor, he is a psychologist, he is not
> licensed to practice psychology or offer mental health services.
My feelings about McGraw's title is common knowledge on this group.
Whatever degree he earned and whatever license he held, I refuse to
refer to him by the title of doctor because I hold that title in
esteem (be it a doctor of medicine, psychology, or English
literature). He abused the title when he repeatedly appeared on both
his show and Oprah's and proceeded to diagnose people he'd never
actually met. He also counseled Britney Spears back when she was at
her worse, than broke confidentiality by standing on the steps of the
hospital where she was staying and speaking to camera crews about what
she'd said without her consent (he lost a large chunk of his savings
from that, as I recall). His advice is sophomoric and in most cases
moronic, and he seems to lack even a basic grasp on reality for middle
America. His dimestore quackery is emblematic of all that is wrong
with the mental health profession, and the public face he puts on the
vocation turns away those who need serious counseling or treatment.
And I'm pretty sure he molests collies.
--
Kevin M. (RPCV)
Joe Hass
Can you tell I'm a little more familiar with this title than a Web usability professional should be?
Darren Glass
I have always wanted to keep a copy of DSM-IV at my office to take to meetings. Whenever some goes off track in some way, just pick up the book, open it to a random page, grab a pencil and start making random check marks while looking intently at the person speaking. If asked what I'm doing, I'd reply, "Nothing...just validating a hypothesis. Go ahead."
I would like to do the same thing except at some point shout out "BINGO!"
- dg
PGage
My feelings about McGraw's title is common knowledge on this group.
Whatever degree he earned and whatever license he held, I refuse to
refer to him by the title of doctor because I hold that title in
esteem (be it a doctor of medicine, psychology, or English
literature). He abused the title when he repeatedly appeared on both
his show and Oprah's and proceeded to diagnose people he'd never
actually met. He also counseled Britney Spears back when she was at
her worse, than broke confidentiality by standing on the steps of the
hospital where she was staying and speaking to camera crews about what
she'd said without her consent (he lost a large chunk of his savings
from that, as I recall). His advice is sophomoric and in most cases
moronic, and he seems to lack even a basic grasp on reality for middle
America. His dimestore quackery is emblematic of all that is wrong
with the mental health profession, and the public face he puts on the
vocation turns away those who need serious counseling or treatment.
I don't disagree with your disdain for McGraw, but to my knowledge he has never diagnosed people on either Oprah's show or his show (of course, I have never seen him on Oprah, nor ever seen his show, but the President of the American Psychological Association, and lots of other psychologists, have reassured us several times that that he has never done this. This would be clearly unethical - mostly because since he has been on television he has not been licensed to perform the mental health service of clinical diagnosis (or any other mental health service). He might say someone is a "co-dependent" or "an alcoholic" or something like that, but these are not formal psychiatric diagnoses. If anyone can refer me to a specific show in which he made a clinical diagnosis I would be really interested in tracking it down (I will then track down Pat and Kenny so they can read to me the Oprah transcripts).
Also, as I mentioned before, McGraw did not counsel Ms Spears (again, he is not licensed to perform this service anymore), and can not break confidentiality (this is an ethical duty that only applies to licensed mental health professionals, of which he is not one). I would like to know what you are referring to about him losing a chuck of his savings, I am working from memory here, but I am pretty sure he was not sued, and if he was I am sure he did not lose a suit in court. It is possible he was sued and settled I suppose, and I just didn't follow it.
He is a quack (IMO), but I dispute the claim he is emblematic of all that is wrong with the mental health profession. He is not a mental health professional (and never has been since before he has appeared on television). To paraphrase what another list member said in a different context recently, he has as much in common with a real mental health professional as J.D. does with a real physician. What is emblematic of all that is wrong with the mental health profession is the American Psychological Association giving McGraw a presidential medal and giving him credibility to whore after his large audience and Q Rating.
Kevin M.
> I don't disagree with your disdain for McGraw, but to my knowledge he has
> never diagnosed people on either Oprah's show or his show (of course, I have
> never seen him on Oprah, nor ever seen his show, but the President of the
> American Psychological Association, and lots of other psychologists, have
> reassured us several times that that he has never done this.
Sadly, I have seen both, and I don't think there has ever been an
instance where he HASN'T diagnosed people. Inevitably, he says to
guests on the show, "Your problem is..." and then proceeds to diagnose
them. I suppose people can split hairs about the specific clinical
nature of what he does or fails to do, but that is not a distinction
I'm prepared to draw from a man who goes by the title of doctor,
inclues the title in his series, then tells people what is wrong with
them. And last year I wrote about the day he appeared on Anderson
Cooper's show and diagnosed middle America with depression, then
proceeded to blame Americans for their own sadness.
> Also, as I mentioned before, McGraw did not counsel Ms Spears (again, he is
> not licensed to perform this service anymore)
In that case, Britney and her family invited a total stranger to visit
her at the height of her mental instability... just to shoot the sh*t?
> I am
> working from memory here, but I am pretty sure he was not sued, and if he
> was I am sure he did not lose a suit in court.
He was not sued, but I heard from a friend I still have in the
industry that he made a substantial payoff to the clan Spears.
> To paraphrase what another list member said in a different
> context recently, he has as much in common with a real mental health
> professional as J.D. does with a real physician.
Nice turn of phrase, except JD is a character and Phil McGraw is a person.
--
Kevin M. (RPCV)
PGage
On Tue, Nov 2, 2010 at 8:37 PM, PGage <pga...@gmail.com> wrote:Sadly, I have seen both, and I don't think there has ever been an
> I don't disagree with your disdain for McGraw, but to my knowledge he has
> never diagnosed people on either Oprah's show or his show (of course, I have
> never seen him on Oprah, nor ever seen his show, but the President of the
> American Psychological Association, and lots of other psychologists, have
> reassured us several times that that he has never done this.
instance where he HASN'T diagnosed people. Inevitably, he says to
guests on the show, "Your problem is..." and then proceeds to diagnose
them. I suppose people can split hairs about the specific clinical
nature of what he does or fails to do, but that is not a distinction
I'm prepared to draw from a man who goes by the title of doctor,
inclues the title in his series, then tells people what is wrong with
them. And last year I wrote about the day he appeared on Anderson
Cooper's show and diagnosed middle America with depression, then
proceeded to blame Americans for their own sadness.
I don't know what Ms. Spears and her parents thought they were doing when they invited McGraw to see her in the hospital, but they were not asking for, or getting, formal counseling. I assume it was just one media whore leeching off of another. Again, there is no law against that.
I don't like calling him "Dr. Phil" either, because it clearly does create the false impression that he is offering formal and competent mental health services.
PGage
Nice turn of phrase, except JD is a character and Phil McGraw is a person.
Phil McGraw is a real person; "Dr. Phil" is a character on a television entertainment program.