Jan 5 2008 5:49 PM EST
Britney Spears Leaves Hospital With Dr. Phil, Who Says He's 'Very Concerned' 'She is in dire need of both medical and psychological intervention,' psychologist/TV personality says.
By Jennifer Vineyard
Britney Spears was already packing
to leave Cedars-Sinai hospital in Los Angeles on Saturday morning when she got a visit from a family friend — psychologist and television personality Dr. Phil McGraw.
McGraw (a.k.a. Dr. Phil) was at the hospital at the behest of the singer's family members, a rep for his television show confirmed to MTV News. The therapist visited with Spears for about an hour in her hospital room, with family members present, before accompanying her as she left the premises. Spears had already arranged her release from Cedars-Sinai before his arrival, though a spokesperson for the hospital declined to discuss the circumstances, citing patient confidentiality.
"Unfortunately, I can't," said Cedars-Sinai spokesperson Simi Singer, explaining that even a patient's admission or release from the hospital is considered privileged information. "In certain situations, patients don't even get registered under their own names, though I'm not saying that's what happened here."
Dr. Phil released the following statement to ETonline Saturday: "My meeting with Britney and some of her family members this morning in her room at Cedars leaves me convinced more than ever that she is in dire need of both medical and psychological intervention. She was released moments before my arrival and was packing when I entered the room. We visited for about an hour before I walked with her to her car. I am very concerned for her."