Career
McGraw graduated in 1975 from
Midwestern State University with a
Bachelor of Arts in
psychology. He went on to earn a
Master of Arts in
experimental psychology in 1976, and a
Doctor of Philosophy in
clinical psychology in 1979 at the
University of North Texas, where his
dissertation was titled "Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Psychological Intervention". After run-ins with several faculty members, McGraw was guided through the doctoral program by Frank Lawlis, who later became the primary contributing psychologist for the
Dr. Phil television show.
After obtaining his Ph.D., McGraw joined his father, Dr. Joe McGraw, in Wichita Falls, Texas, where the elder McGraw had established his private psychology practice.
In 1983, McGraw and his father joined Thelma Box, a successful Texas businesswoman, in presenting "Pathways" seminars, "an experience-based training which allows individuals to achieve and create their own results." Critics claim that many of the "phrases and the terminology and the quaint sayings" used by McGraw on the
Oprah and
Dr. Phil shows were coined by Box and presented by McGraw in this seminar. McGraw admits that some of the material from
Life Strategies, his first best-seller, is taken directly from the Pathways seminar. However, he has never mentioned Box or her contributions to his success in any of his books or TV shows. Eight years after joining Box, McGraw signed an agreement for the sale of his Pathways seminar stock for $325,000 without notifying either his father or Box of the impending sale. Box founded her own seminars entitled "Choices."
Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists
The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists determined on October 21, 1988, that McGraw had hired a former patient for "part-time temporary employment". Specifically the Board cited "a possible failure to provide proper separation between termination of therapy and the initiation of employment" and issued a letter of reprimand and imposed administrative penalties. The Board also investigated claims made by the patient of inappropriate contact initiated by McGraw, but the "Findings of Fact" document issued by the Board on October 21, 1988, at the end of its investigation, includes no reference to any physical contact of any kind. It specifically identified "the therapeutic and business relationships" as constituting McGraw's sole issue with the Board. McGraw fulfilled all terms of the Board's requirements, and the Board closed its complaint file in June, 1990.
In 1990, McGraw joined lawyer Gary Dobbs in co-founding Courtroom Sciences Inc. (CSI), a trial consulting firm through which McGraw later came into contact with
Oprah Winfrey. Eventually, CSI became a profitable enterprise, advising
Fortune 500 companies and injured plaintiffs alike in achieving settlements. McGraw is no longer an officer or director of the company.
After starting CSI, McGraw ceased the practice of psychology. He maintained his license current and in good standing until he elected to retire it 15 years later in 2006. Appearing on the
Today Show in January 2008, McGraw said that he has made it "very clear" that his current work does not involve the practice of psychology. He also said that he had "retired from psychology". According to the
Today Show, the California Board of Psychology determined in 2002 that he did not require a license because his show involves "entertainment" rather than psychology.
Magraw's license is currently is listed by the Texas State Board of Psychology as "retired" and he holds no other active licenses to practice in any other state. According to Texas State Law, McGraw could still be open to a charge of practicing without a license in Texas, since his show is broadcast in that state.
My source for above is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_McGraw
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