Replies to '10/04 Britney Breaking News'

Dr. Phil is always telling people to take responsibility for their own actions and own up to their mistakes. Well, Dr. Phil made a huge mistake by a) publicly going to the hospital to see Britney, and b) talking about Britney to the media. This is not professionally responsible or ethical behavior. The fact that he wanted to devote a show to Britney's problems without her consent is really astounding to me. He does not appear to be a very caring 'friend' to the Spears family, nor a competent therapist.

Britney seems to have an untreated mental illness. It is true that she needs professional help. She also needs people around her who are not going to try to exploit her for their own gains. Being the topic of a tawdry talk show will do nothing to help Britney. If Dr. Phil was such a great 'friend', he would have arranged a private, confidential meeting or phone call with Britney with her permission. And the world never would have known that he had any conversation with the Spears family if he were a true professional. Psychologists and other mental health professionals are not supposed to tell anyone who they have seen without a signed release from the patient.

Dr. Phil really should know better, and so should his representatives. So practice what you preach, doc. Take responsibility for a huge blunder instead of crowing with indignity on any and every network that will have you.