Popularity is a state of mind. Wealthy teenager Charlie Bartlett is failing miserably at fitting in at a new public high school run by the world-weary Principal Gardner.
As he begins to better understand the social hierarchy, Charlie's charm and likability positions him as the resident "psychiatrist" dishing out advice, and prescriptions with his "business partner" and fellow student, Murphey Bivens, 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.