Carleton College
Northfield, MNMany of us have heard colelge described as "the best time of your life." However, for many students, it feels more like one of the hardest.
Whether you're facing anxiety, depression, burnout, perfectionism, ADHD, autism, relationship concerns, homesickness, identity questions, or simply the challenge of becoming an adult, you're not alone.
At Northfield Dynamic Therapy, we specialize in college student mental health. Dr. Tracy Brottem has worked as a therapist within college counseling centers at Carleton College, St. Olaf College, and Iowa State University, helping hundreds of students navigate the academic, social, emotional, and developmental challenges of college life.
Therapy can provide support, perspective, and practical tools to help you not just survive college—but thrive during it.
Common Reasons Students Reach Out
Students often contact us because they're experiencing:
- Anxiety, panic, or constant stress
- Depression, loneliness, or feeling disconnected
- Burnout and academic exhaustion
- Perfectionism and fear of failure
- ADHD, autism, or executive functioning challenges
- Difficulty adjusting to college life
- Relationship concerns and roommate conflict
- Family stress and family-of-origin concerns
- Identity development and life direction questions
- Recovering from narcissistic abuse or emotionally unhealthy relationships
- Feeling like everyone else has life figured out except them
If any of these sound familiar, you're not alone—and you don't have to navigate them by yourself.
Why College Students Love Working with Tracy
Students often say they feel seen, supported—and yes, slightly cooler—just by being in the (virtual) room with Tracy. It might be her blue hair. Or maybe it’s just the way she genuinely gets what it’s like to be figuring life out under pressure.
Tracy helps students move beyond simply "getting through the week" and begin building a life that feels more meaningful, connected, and sustainable.
Students often find that they:
• Feel less overwhelmed by anxiety and more confident navigating difficult situations
• Develop healthier responses to perfectionism, self-criticism, and fear of failure
• Learn to manage academic stress and burnout without sacrificing their wellbeing
• Better understand ADHD, autism, and other forms of neurodiversity—and how to work with their brains instead of against them
• Build healthier relationships and stronger boundaries with friends, partners, roommates, and family members
• Recover from emotionally unhealthy relationships and reconnect with their own instincts, values, and sense of self
• Feel less alone after discovering that many of their struggles are shared by other students
• Develop greater self-compassion and learn to treat themselves with the same kindness they readily offer others
Tracy brings warmth, humor, and emotional depth to therapy. She knows how to help high-achieving students slow down, reconnect with themselves, and move forward in ways that feel authentic rather than exhausting.
Many students arrive feeling like everyone else has life figured out except them. One of Tracy's gifts is helping students discover that they are far less alone—and far more capable—than they realized.
Therapy That Meets You Where You Are
Therapy with Tracy is collaborative, flexible, and grounded in compassion. As part of Northfield Dynamic Therapy’s concierge model, sessions are tailored to your needs—not dictated by rigid session limits or checklists. You’ll get the time, attention, and trust needed to create meaningful change. Whether you need to process a hard week, explore deeper emotional patterns, or just have a space to breathe and be yourself.
Tracy brings warmth, humor, and emotional depth to therapy, and she knows how to help high-achieving students slow down, reconnect with themselves, and find sustainable ways to move forward and achieve their goals.
You don’t have to pretend everything’s fine. You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Tracy is here to support the real you—at your pace, on your terms.
Wondering About ADHD or Autism?
Many students come to therapy wondering whether ADHD or autism may be part of the picture.
Sometimes difficulties with focus, motivation, organization, procrastination, emotional regulation, social connection, or chronic exhaustion are related to anxiety, depression, perfectionism, trauma, or burnout. Sometimes ADHD or autism is also part of the story.
Dr. Nate Page provides comprehensive ADHD and autism evaluations for adolescents, college students, and adults. These evaluations help clarify the diagnostic picture and provide practical recommendations for accommodations, medication discussions, therapy, coaching, and academic success.
For Parents and Caregivers
We understand how important it is to find a therapist you can trust. This is especially true when your student is far from home, and facing real mental health challenges in a demanding academic environment. For many families like you, these college years are filled with uncertainty and concern.
You’re not alone in wanting the best possible care for your child. At Northfield Dynamic Therapy, we work with many parents who are professionals themselves—people who value clinical expertise, responsiveness, and a strong therapeutic relationship.
Dr. Brottem is one of Minnesota’s top college mental health clinicians. With extensive experience at Carleton, St. Olaf, and other university settings, she combines clinical depth with warmth, humor, and a collaborative spirit. Tracy partners with each student to help them build emotional resilience and self-trust, while also honoring their autonomy and your role as a supportive caregiver.
As a concierge therapy practice, we tailor treatment to each student’s needs. That means no rigid session limits or one-size-fits-all models. Instead, we offer extended sessions, deep therapeutic work, and individualized care that supports long-term growth (academically, emotionally, and relationally).
If you’re looking for a trustworthy resource to help YOU as a caregiver, we highly recommend the book The Stressed Years of Their Lives by Drs. B. Janet Hibbs and Anthony Rostain. It’s a compassionate, research-informed guide for navigating the mental health challenges of college life, and it echoes much of what we see in our work with students and families.
Therapy Options
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Online Therapy (Available now): Convenient, private, and accessible from anywhere in Minnesota. Many Carleton and St. Olaf students find this fits easily into their busy schedules.
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In-Person Therapy (Coming soon): Tracy's colleague, Dr. Page, offers limited in-person sessions in downtown Northfield. Please ask about this when you reach out to us!
Questions About College Student Therapy?
Do you work with Carleton College students?
Yes. Dr. Brottem has worked as a therapist within the Carleton College counseling center and has extensive experience supporting Carleton students. We understand many of the academic, social, and personal challenges that students commonly face during their time at Carleton.
Do you work with St. Olaf College students?
Absolutely. Dr. Brottem has worked closely with St. Olaf students throughout her career and understands the unique pressures, opportunities, and transitions that often accompany the college experience. We provide both online and in-person options for students throughout Minnesota.
What if I think I have ADHD or autism?
Many college students come to therapy wondering whether ADHD, autism, anxiety, trauma, burnout, or some combination of these experiences may be contributing to their struggles. Dr. Nate Page provides comprehensive ADHD and autism evaluations that can help clarify the diagnostic picture and provide recommendations for accommodations, treatment, and support.
Do you offer online therapy?
Yes. Most college students choose online therapy because it is convenient, flexible, and easy to fit into a busy academic schedule. Online therapy is available throughout Minnesota.
Can parents help their student get started with therapy?
Yes. Parents often reach out first, especially when a student is struggling with anxiety, depression, burnout, ADHD, autism, or major life transitions. We are happy to answer questions about the process and help determine whether Northfield Dynamic Therapy might be a good fit.
How soon can I schedule my first appointment?
Availability varies throughout the year, but many students are able to schedule an initial appointment within a few days. Please TEXT or CALL 507-581-5920 for current availability.
What if I'm not sure whether therapy is the right fit?
That's completely normal. Many students reach out because they feel stuck, overwhelmed, lonely, burned out, or uncertain about what they need. Therapy doesn't require you to have everything figured out. Sometimes the first step is simply having a conversation with someone who understands.
More From Tracy
Tracy also writes regularly on her blog, Smudged Inkblot, where she explores life, therapy, and the messy in-betweens with humor and heart. For college students and the people who care about them, it’s a refreshing and relatable window into the therapeutic process—and a way to see how Tracy brings depth and playfulness to even the hardest topics. From pop culture to perfectionism to Mister Rogers, it’s a great way to get a feel for her voice and values.
“College is hard. And the transition to college for your first year is much harder than many people realize… or are willing to admit.”
— Dr. Tracy Brottem
Click the image to read Tracy’s full blog post: “It Will be the Best Time of Your Life.” Um…are you sure about that?
Northfield Dynamic Therapy is just minutes from Carleton and St. Olaf and offers personalized, affirming therapy for students across Minnesota. Whether you prefer online sessions or are interested in in-person options, we’re here to help you find relief, clarity, and confidence as you navigate college life.
Ready to Get Started?
Tracy currently has openings for college students, with some evening appointments available. You can schedule your first session within a few days.
Or TEXT/CALL us at 507-581-5920