Katie Hurley

Katie Hurley, LCSW, is a child and adolescent psychotherapist, speaker, and author known for her compassionate, practical approach to modern parenting. She is the author of The Happy Kid Handbook, No More Mean Girls, and The Depression Workbook for Teens. With a background in clinical social work, Hurley specializes in the mental health challenges facing today’s youth, including anxiety, bullying, and the pressures of social media. Her work moves beyond generic parenting advice to offer strategies grounded in child development science and play therapy.\n\nHurley is a strong advocate for "empathy-led" parenting. She believes that children need to be heard and understood before they can be corrected. In No More Mean Girls, she tackles the subtle aggression and "girl drama" that often plagues middle schoolers, providing parents with tools to raise strong, kind daughters. Hurley is also a frequent contributor to major media outlets like The Washington Post and PBS Parents, where she translates complex psychological concepts into actionable steps for families. She focuses on building resilience, arguing that the goal of parenting is not to remove all obstacles, but to equip children with the emotional toolkit to navigate them. Hurley’s voice is a reassuring presence for parents, reminding them that connection is the most powerful intervention of all.