The series was created by Phil McGraw (Dr. Phil) and Paul Attanasio, and is inspired by the early career of Dr. Phil McGraw himself, who also served as an executive producer.

The pilot episode was written by Phil McGraw and Paul Attanasio and produced by companies including Amblin Television and Steven Spielberg's production banner, alongside CBS Television Studios.

Eliza Dushku appeared in the final three episodes of season 1 in a role meant to become a series regular in season 2, but she was fired after complaining that Michael Weatherly made sexually suggestive comments toward her.

In December 2018, The New York Times reported that CBS reached a confidential settlement paying Eliza Dushku $9.5 million, equivalent to her anticipated salary over four seasons as a series regular.

Following the harassment controversy surrounding star Michael Weatherly, executive producers Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank, and Steven Spielberg, along with his company Amblin Television, departed the series after the third season.

Annabelle Attanasio, part of the main cast for the first two seasons, left the show after season 2 to direct an independent film; her character was replaced by MacKenzie Meehan's Taylor Rentzel, who filled a very similar role.

Season 5 was trimmed to 16 episodes because production schedules were shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Freddy Rodriguez departed the series in 2021 alongside showrunner Glenn Gordon Caron, with writers Kathryn Price and Nichole Millard taking over as co-showrunners for the final season.