<P> After starting CSI, McGraw ceased the practice of psychology . He kept his license current and in good standing until he elected to retire it 15 years later in 2006 . Appearing on the Today Show in January 2008, McGraw said that he has made it "very clear" that his current work does not involve the practice of psychology . He also said that he had "retired from psychology". According to the Today Show, the California Board of Psychology determined in 2002 that he did not require a license because his show involves "entertainment" rather than psychology . </P> <P> The TV show Bull is based on his experience as a trial consultant, and he is credited as one of the creators of the series . </P> <P> In 1995, Oprah Winfrey hired McGraw's legal consulting firm CSI to prepare her for the Amarillo Texas beef trial . Winfrey was so impressed with McGraw that she thanked him for her victory in that case, which ended in 1998 . Soon after, she invited him to appear on her show . His appearance proved so successful that he began appearing weekly as a relationship and life strategy expert on Tuesdays starting in April 1998 . </P> <P> The next year, McGraw published his first best - selling book, Life Strategies . In the next four years, McGraw published three additional best - selling relationship books, along with workbooks to complement them . </P>

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