Denise Stuntzner, LCSW

Denise Stuntzner, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Oregon who has been practicing since 2006 and currently works with a small private practice in rural Oregon. She earned her Master of Social Work from Portland State University in 1990 and brings decades of experience from multiple areas of human services, including child and family mental health, domestic violence services, rehabilitation, hospice, medical settings, and child welfare.

Her background includes serving for 10 years with the Coquille Indian Tribe as a Wellness Program Coordinator, supporting tribal members and employees with health improvement strategies. She has also worked as a Qualified Mental Health Professional at Bay Area Hospital, primarily on the Inpatient Psychiatric Unit and conducting emergency psychiatric evaluations in the Emergency Department, and later as an Integrated Behavioral Health Clinician in a large outpatient medical clinic, working mainly with patients in Internal Medicine, Family Practice, and OB. In addition, Denise has served as a Field Instructor for Portland State University’s Graduate School of Social Work and is a state-certified Clinical Supervisor for professionals working toward their LCSW.

Denise’s style is active, straightforward, goal-oriented, and client-centered. She draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), practical approaches that focus on identifying unhelpful cycles and building a clear plan for change. She often weaves mindfulness practices and neuroscience-informed strategies into sessions to support new ways of coping with stressors at work, at home, and in relationships. Denise values the courage it takes to seek support and emphasizes the importance of building rapport and trust as part of meaningful, lasting change.