Dr. Phil Show Season 5 Episode 11 Follow-Ups
- September 22, 2006
In this episode of the Dr. Phil Show, titled "Follow-Ups," Dr. Phil checks in with guests from previous episodes to see how they're doing now.
First up is a woman named Yvonne who was on the show as part of a segment about adult bullies. Yvonne had been mercilessly bullied by a group of coworkers who had vandalized her car, sent her threatening messages and even physically assaulted her at work. Dr. Phil had given Yvonne some strategies to deal with the bullies and encouraged her to stand up for herself. Now, several months later, Yvonne shares how her life has changed since appearing on the show. She reveals that she quit her job and moved to a new city to start fresh. She also talks about the progress she's made in therapy and how she's learned to assert herself and speak up when she feels like someone is treating her unfairly.
Next is a couple named Laurie and Randy who appeared on the show to talk about their troubled marriage. Laurie was fed up with her husband's lack of ambition and his refusal to get a job, while Randy felt like he was being unfairly criticized and controlled by his wife. Dr. Phil urged the couple to work on their communication and trust issues, and also recommended that Randy get a job. In the follow-up, Laurie and Randy reveal that things have improved significantly since they were last on the show. Randy got a job and is now contributing financially to the household, and the couple has been going to counseling and learning how to communicate better. However, there are still some trust issues that need to be worked on, and both Laurie and Randy have some fears about what the future holds for their marriage.
The third guest is a woman named Megan who was on the show to talk about her struggles with addiction. Megan had been using drugs and alcohol since she was a teenager, and had reached a point where she was drinking every day and blacking out frequently. Dr. Phil sent Megan to a rehab facility to get clean and encouraged her to stick with the program. In the follow-up, Megan reveals that she is now six months sober and feeling better than she has in years. She talks about the challenges of staying sober and the support she's received from her family and friends. Megan also reveals that she's started working as a peer recovery coach, helping others who are struggling with addiction.
The final guest is a woman named Vanessa whose husband had been spending thousands of dollars a month on escorts. Vanessa was devastated and felt like her marriage was over. Dr. Phil recommended that the couple work with a therapist and that Vanessa set some clear boundaries for her husband. In the follow-up, Vanessa reveals that they've been in counseling but that her husband is still struggling with his addiction to escorts. She talks about the emotional toll it's taken on her and the difficulty she's had in forgiving him. Vanessa is still unsure about the future of her marriage and is considering her options.
Throughout the episode, Dr. Phil offers advice and encouragement to each guest. He emphasizes the importance of continuing to work on oneself and of not giving up when things get tough. He also stresses the importance of communication and honesty in relationships, and encourages the guests to stay committed to their goals and aspirations.