Dr. Phil Exclusive: Lynn Spears Reached Out to Me More Than a Year Ago

Jan. 30, 2008 — -- In his first live interview since his notorious visit with Britney Spears earlier this month, Dr. Phil McGraw revealed that Spears' mother had reached out to him for advice about her daughter more than a year ago.

Television's tough-love doctor discussed his involvement with the Spears family with Diane Sawyer on "Good Morning America" today.

The interview came as McGraw prepared for a broadcast milestone. His nationally syndicated series will air its 1,000th episode Feb. 8 and though his no-nonsense manner is popular with his millions of viewers, his recent interactions with Britney Spears proved that not everyone agrees with his style.

"I don't think it helped the situation. I don't think it hurt the situation," McGraw said in his first live interview about his visit with Spears earlier this month. "I'm an incurable optimist. I hope and pray that Britney will get help and that her life will be used as a great lesson for young stars that come in behind her. And if in some way I can shine some positive light on it in some way I will do that."

McGraw said his visit to the fallen pop star — when she was admitted for an evaluation after a highly publicized breakdown — was at the request of the star's mother, Lynn Spears, who initially had reached out to him more than a year ago.

Lynn Spears wanted to know what she could do for her daughter and wanted to know about potential facilities. McGraw said the fact that he kept silent for a year about their communication dispels critics' assertions he used Spears for publicity.

"If that is what I was interested in I had an entire year to do that," he said. "I don't do things sensationalistically."

Though his planned Spears' special was scrapped this year after the scrutiny of his statement, McGraw said an earlier show dedicated to her problems received a positive response from Lynn Spears and she thanked him.

But, McGraw said today he has not been in contact with anyone in the Spears camp recently.

"I don't have any contact with them and I've never initiated any contact with them," he said.

He said he has heard the mother of two is seeking treatment.

"I hear now that she is seeing someone and that she is getting help," McGraw said. "I hope it's true."