Dr Phil

Phillip Calvin McGraw was born on September 1, 1950, in Vinita, Oklahoma. He pursued an academic path in psychology, earning a B.A. in psychology from Midwestern State University in 1975, an M.A. in experimental psychology in 1976, and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from North Texas State University in 1979. His doctoral dissertation focused on ‘Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Psychological Intervention.’ After obtaining his doctorate, McGraw joined his father’s private psychology practice in Wichita Falls, Texas. In this early phase of his career, he also co-founded Courtroom Sciences, Inc. (CSI) in 1990, a trial consulting firm that provided services for mock trials, jury selection, and mediation.

McGraw rose to national prominence through his appearances on ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’ in the late 1990s. Winfrey, impressed by his insights and approach during her legal case preparation, invited him to be a weekly guest. His segments focused on relationship and life strategies, which resonated with a broad audience. This led to the launch of his own syndicated daily television show, ‘Dr. Phil,’ in September 2002, produced by Winfrey’s Harpo Studios. The show quickly became highly rated, focusing on tackling various topics and offering advice to guests.

Throughout his career, McGraw has expanded his influence beyond television. He has authored several best-selling books on self-help, relationships, and weight loss, beginning with ‘Life Strategies’ in 1999. In 2005, he and his elder son, Jay McGraw, formed Stage 29 Productions, which developed spin-off shows like ‘The Doctors’ and ‘Daily Mail TV’. In 2012, McGraw founded Doctor On Demand, a telehealth company providing virtual appointments with physicians and therapists. More recently, in 2023, he announced Merit Street Media, a new media company and television network, launched in 2024 to focus on news and true crime programming, anchored by ‘Dr. Phil Primetime.’