NorthStar Counseling Center

04/10/2026

Welcome Mackenzie!

Welcome Mackenzie Bayerl, Masters Level Practitioner

11/19/2025

Welcome Tara!

Tara joined NorthStar Counseling Center on November 2nd, 2025. Tara grew up in Minnesota but has been in Oregon for the past several years. She is happy to be back and excited to serve our Hutchinson community as a the...

10/14/2025

NorthStar Counseling Center welcomes Brianna Manderscheid!

Bri joined the NorthStar team in July of 2025. Bri holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Wyoming and is a Licensed Professional Counselor.

Bri enjoys helping children and adolescents navigate the complexities of growing up. She has a particular interest in supporting teens and adolescents facing self-esteem issues, relational difficulties, anxiety, trauma, and grief. She is also passionate about working with neurodivergent individuals of all ages. Her goal is always to empower clients to develop skills for managing life's challenges in healthy and effective ways. Bri is committed to walking alongside clients in their journey toward personal growth.

We are thankful Bri has joined our practice!

10/11/2024

NorthStar Counseling Center Welcomes Emma Sogge!

Emma holds a B.S. Degree in Psychology from St. Cloud State University and is pursuing a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Adler Graduate School in Minnetonka, MN.

Emma brings a great energy to our team as well as kindness and a team mentality. She takes a person-centered approach to counseling as well as treating the client as a whole, unique individual. Emma has loved working with children and teens as a paraprofessional and looks forward to working with that same clientele as well as couples and families in a therapeutic capacity. You can read more about Emma on our website.

Help us welcome Emma!

05/14/2024

NorthStar Counseling Center Welcomes Sydney Mandelkow!

Sydney Mandelkow will be joining our NorthStar team later this month. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a Master's of Social Work from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and will acquire licensure as a Licensed Graduate Social Worker in May/June of 2024. We congratulate her on passing her exam!

Sydney has experience working with clients diagnosed with severe persistent mental illness and suicidal ideation as well as those with other life struggles such as anxiety, depression and homelessness. Sydney likes to utilize person-centered, strength-based and cognitive behavioral approaches with her clients. She focuses on creating a warm and welcoming environment that is free of judgement to meet clients where they are and allow them to express themselves feely.

04/26/2024

Welcome Brianna Harguth!

Brianna Harguth will be joining our NorthStar team in early May. Brianna is a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who holds a B.S. in Psychology and a B.A. in Spanish from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD and a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from St. Cloud State University.

Brianna has experience working with individuals affected by anxiety, depression, and PTSD. She uses a family systems and person-centered approach and utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, and narrative therapy.

11/08/2023

It is with great sadness that we share that one of our own has passed away. After some long standing medical challenges, Jackie Hicks passed away on November 7th. Jackie has worked with us since May of 2018 and in that time she has displayed her skills and great desire in helping individuals and families get through some really difficult times.

Jackie will be greatly missed as a woman that loved so many people and did not hesitate to offer a helping hand. Her family has always been her fuel to keep going.

We ask for your thoughts and prayers for Jackie’s family, friends, coworkers, and the many who have been greatly touched by Jackie’s life as we all grieve our loss.

“What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, For all that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”
― Helen Keller

10/11/2023

Welcome Katie D'Amour!

I would like to introduce Katie D'Amour, a new Intern at NorthStar Counseling Center. Katie will work at our office to gain clinical hours in fulfillment of the requirements of her Master's Program Internship.

Katie holds a B.S. Degree in Psychology from Crown College in St. Bonifacius, MN and is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis on Marriage, Couples and Family Therapy from Adler Graduate School in Minnetonka, MN.

Katie believes that we were created for community and connection. She sees the importance of knowing one’s identity and worth and sees the whole person when considering each individual’s unique needs. Katie embraces a person-centered approach valuing empathy and authenticity. She looks forward to helping clients discover new perspectives that restore purpose, confidence, and connection.

Welcome Katie!

10/05/2023

Thank your for sharing your sunshine with us! We are blessed to serve this community with you!

10/05/2023

Our NorthStar Counseling Center family would like to thank Crow River Floral & Gifts for the beautiful arrangement delivered to our office in honor of Mental Health Awareness Week. What a beautiful world we live in when each person uses their specialized gifts to help others. We very much appreciate the love and support shown to us by Crow River Floral & Gifts and by our Hutchinson community.

Mental Health Awareness week is a great time to reflect on life and all the things that bring meaning to us: family, friends, church family, community & all other forms of support we have in our lives. Unfortunately, life's ups and downs affect us all and sometimes it takes more than a pep talk to get through a challenge. Please remember these small, but effective tips to improve mental health:

- Reach out when you need help.
- Check in with friends or family periodically when you know they have had difficulties. The smallest encouragement can make a big impact when someone is feeling isolated and alone.
- Exercise to help stimulate your mind, change your mood and help your perspective on a situation.
- Increase your Vitamin D as fall and winter approach.
- Put family first. Relationships are what sustain us.

For more severe mental health struggles, it is important to reach out to a medical or mental health professional. A good place to start is by talking with your healthcare provider about what you are experiencing. If you or someone you know is in crisis, the number to call 988. This is the su***de and crisis hotline.

Happy Mental Health Awareness Week!