Britney Spears

LOS ANGELES (AP):

Television's 'Dr. Phil' McGraw said Britney Spears was released from a hospital Saturday, but still needs psychological help, the syndicated programmes Entertainment Tonight and The Insider reported in a press release.

The troubled pop star was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center by paramedics on Thursday night after police were called to her home because of a dispute involving the two sons she had with ex-husband Kevin Federline.

"My meeting with Britney and some 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," McGraw told the programmes. "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."

More talk

McGraw planned to talk more about Spears on his daytime talk show this week, the press release said.

Responding to an email request for further comment from McGraw, a 'Dr. Phil's' publicist referred The Associated Press to his statement posted on the etonline.com website.

Medical centre officials have had no comment on Spears, and authorities have given no full explanation of why she was hospitalised.

The incident at Spears' home lasted several hours. A Los Angeles police spokeswoman said Friday that officers at the scene determined that paramedics "needed to be called" but it was unclear why.

A message seeking comment from Spears' attorneys at the law firm Trope and Trope was not immediately returned Saturday.

At an emergency hearing Friday, a court commissioner suspended Spears' right to visit sons Sean Preston, two, and Jayden James, one. The commissioner also gave sole physical and legal custody to Federline.

Previously, Federline had temporary custody and Spears had court-monitored visitation.

The court set another hearing for January 14.

Spears and Federline married in October 2004. Her life has spiralled downward since their divorce in July. She has been photographed without underwear and appeared to be drunk and out of control in public. She shaved her head, beat a car with an umbrella and spent a month in rehab.