About Denise
Denise Stuntzner is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing in Oregon with more than two decades of experience in psychotherapy. She returned to clinical practice after raising her sons and has worked across medical, hospice, rehabilitation, and tribal wellness settings. Denise now provides therapy from a small independent practice in rural Oregon.
She keeps sessions straightforward and goal-focused. Denise uses clear, practical methods to help people change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.
Background and approach
She leans on client-centered care and collaborative planning to set small, doable goals. Her background includes work in inpatient psychiatric care, emergency psychiatric evaluations, integrated behavioral health in primary care, and long-term roles in child and family mental health. She has also supervised social work students and served as a state-certified clinical supervisor for clinicians pursuing an LCSW.
These roles inform a flexible approach across medical and community settings. Therapy often blends cognitive behavioral techniques, solution-focused methods, and mindfulness practices. Sessions aim to identify stuck patterns, reduce stress, and build practical skills for managing anxiety, depression, relationship strain, grief, trauma, sleep problems, and caregiving stress.
Denise describes her style as active, direct, and collaborative. Outside the office she is an experienced swimmer and continues to compete in masters events. She values family time, outdoor activity, and helping people find steadier footing when life becomes overwhelming.
Approaches that guide online sessions and practical supports
Denise commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness Therapy as part of her online work. CBT focuses on spotting and changing unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, which can help with anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and coping with stress. Mindfulness Therapy brings attention to the present moment and gentle awareness skills that can reduce rumination and improve emotional regulation.Finding the right approach is part of the therapy process. Denise works collaboratively to choose techniques that fit a person's goals and daily life. She adjusts methods over time based on what helps most, so clients can expect a team effort to find the best path forward.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is useful for full sessions and face-to-face interaction. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or a brief check-in is needed. Live chat and text messaging allow shorter, more frequent touchpoints and can fit into busy schedules. These options offer flexibility and help people fit therapy into work, care, or travel demands.
Frequently asked questions
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Specialties and expertise
Top specialties
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
Also works with
- Addictions
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Anger management
- Bipolar disorder
- Cancer
- Career difficulties
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Codependency
- Communication problems
- Compassion fatigue
- Control issues
- Coping with life changes
- Depression
- Divorce and separation
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Grief
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Intimacy-related issues
- Isolation / loneliness
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Parenting issues
- Post-traumatic stress
- Postpartum depression
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self esteem
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Sleeping disorders
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Trauma and abuse
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 22 years
- Licensed
- Oregon
- Languages
- English