In this first episode of Plugged In, Dr. Courtney Harkins, LMFT, shares wisdom about youth, modern culture, and the challenges that face adolescents today. She offers parents practical tips on how to navigate the often-tumultuous teen years and how to leverage their sons' and daughters' gifts for a hopeful future.

As a pioneer marriage and family therapist at JSerra Catholic high school, Dr. Harkins enumerates the principle causes of teen anxiety and stress and gives illuminating advice on moving young men and woman from frustration and exasperation to personal fulfillment and joy.

Dr. Harkins specializes in the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and their families. She is currently the clinical supervisor for the Personal Counseling program at JSerra. In 2013 she created "Coffee with Courtney" — an ongoing seminar series in which she educates and interacts with JSerra parents on subjects such as raising teens and maintaining healthy families.

She received her doctorate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2014 and holds an M.A. from Pepperdine University in Clinical Psychology. She was a contributing researcher for the book Raising Winners and is a current contributing writer to OCMomBlog.com.