The estranged mother of Britney Spears (reunited last January 27 in Los Angeles) finally spoke up about her daughter’s troubles. She gave Life & Style a quick update before reuniting with her. Lynne told the mag, “Britney’s on my mind day and night. She never leaves my thoughts. I love Britney Spears dearly. I want nothing more than to protect her and make everything all right for her … I’m doing as well as can be expected. I’m doing my best.” But I guess her best isn’t good enough for the Blackout singer eh?

As for Dr. Phil McGraw, he explained his involvement with Britney Spears on “Good Morning America” and “Today” last January 30. He told Diane Sawyer, “I did not go there [Cedars Sinai hospital visit] to diagnose her. I did not go there to treat her … It would be really wrong for me or anyone else who is saying that right now to opine about what’s wrong with her.” Dr. Phil also said he had not reached out to the Spears’ family, nor did he manipulate the situation for his own publicity. “Lynne reached out, [saying,] ‘What do we do? Where can we send her?’ I didn’t say a word about this situation for the entire year we were speaking. If that was what I was interested in, I had an entire year to do that.”

Oh wow! In the last post, we “told” the troubled Gimme More singer to seek help for her mental health problems. And guess what? Britney Spears apparently “heard” our appeal! LOL! According to the highly esteemed Barbara Walters (ABC’s “The View”), she has been contacted by Sam Lufti, the pop princess’ manager and “very good friend”. Ms. Walters was told by Sam that Britney Spears “is suffering from what he describes as mental issues which are treatable.” Ms. Walters further added, “He said that she has been to a psychiatrist and that she, I assume, is starting some kind of treatment.” Wow, great news! I just hope the Blackout singer will finish the treatment!

Sam Lufti also told Ms. Walters that Britney Spears “has been having mood swings. She’s been having trouble sleeping, and also she is in touch with her mother — ’cause we had heard she wasn’t — and her mother has been very supportive of whatever it is that Britney is going to do.” Psychiatric treatment, reconciling with her mom, these are all great news! But Ms. Walters warns, “I can’t vouch for this, he seemed to be very knowledgeable and he certainly was very nice.” LOL!

Last Thursday night (01/24/07), the Blackout singer was spotted making runs to a Rite Aid store and practicing a dance routine at 24 Hour Fitness. Of course, the paparazzi were on her trail and pestered Britney Spears with several questions. She was asked by one if she was sad about Heath Ledger’s recent accidental death. The pop princess’ reply? “He’s still here. No one ever really dies.” Yikes, you are getting creepy Britney Spears! Whatever moved you to say that??

And since it was raining that time, a concerned paparazzo told her to cover up coz she might get sick. The queen of weird responded, “I’m already sick, but in a good way, if you know what I mean.” What?? We don’t know what you mean Britney Spears! But we really suggest that you get some mental health treatment. You were so good and so talented back then – you can still regain all that (and your sons) if you get help. NOW.

The day before the singer’s no-show at another court hearing, she apparently spent it with her ex-paparazzo lover. So, are they together again?? Adnan Ghalib tells ET that his relationship with Britney Spears is “far from over, but then I don’t have the ultimate say in this relationship.” In the TV interview, the celebrity photog shared the fateful December day when he went from covering the Britney Spears story to becoming a part of it. He related, “Sometimes in life we prepare ourselves with things that may happen but I was definitely not prepared in any way shape or form for that. [There] was an aggressive chase and at a stoplight in Hollywood she got out of her car and got into mine, and I think that’s what made the difference.” Adnan also praised Britney Spears saying, “It’s just unfortunate that unless you take the time to scratch the surface and see what’s really within, then you can only understand how truly, truly amazing she is.” Aww, that’s sweet! But is it sincere coming from a paparazzo?? LOL!

After missing past deposition dates in the custody case and sitting for only 14 minutes on the January 3 appointment, the troubled pop star finally meets up with Kevin Federline’s lawyer Mark Vincent Kaplan to discuss the custody case. Mr. Kaplan tells PEOPLE.com that his meeting with Britney Spears was “not something anyone would enjoy.” Apparently they were “going over things that are very, very gut-wrenching.” The lawyer further shares, “Just to revisit them even in your own mind would not be pleasurable.”

It is expected that he will grill Britney Spears about past drug and alcohol use, her failure to comply with court orders and any other subject relating to her fitness as a parent. The latest deposition was done on a national holiday (last Monday) and was done to accommodate busy lawyer schedules. And Kaplan is thankful that it “did dovetail into allowing this to be a low-profile appearance.” He concludes that “She came for her deposition, that’s great! Showing up is form over substance.” Great news! Let’s all hope that Britney Spears will continue to be a good girl!