Wealthy teenager Charlie Bartlett is failing miserably at fitting in at his new public high school. The school is run by the world-weary Principal Gardner. As he begins to better understand the social hierarchy, Charlie's honest charm and likability gives him the position as the resident 'psychiatrist.' Along with his partner and fellow student, Murphy Bivens, Charlie dishes out advice and the occasional prescription to other students in need. Along the way, he decides to take some of his own advice, find romance, and learn to accept who he is.