- Client-centered
- CBT informed
- Mindfulness integrated
About Denise
Denise Stuntzner is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Oregon. She brings more than two decades of clinical experience and a long history in human services to her work. Denise currently sees clients from a small private practice in rural Oregon and combines straightforward, practical methods with a warm, direct style.
Denise trained at Portland State University where she earned a Master in Social Work. Her career spans inpatient psychiatric care, hospice, integrated behavioral health in medical settings, child and family mental health, and work with tribal wellness programs. She has also supervised social work trainees and is a state-certified clinical supervisor for LCSW candidates.
Her approach in sessions is active and goal-focused. She often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Solution-Focused techniques to identify unhelpful thinking and to build manageable steps toward change. Mindfulness and basic neuroscience ideas are woven into sessions when helpful to calm the body and steady attention.
Denise commonly helps people facing stress, anxiety, sleep problems, relationship or family concerns, grief, trauma, addiction, and parenting strain. She also works with issues tied to chronic illness, caregiving, end-of-life concerns, and aging. Sessions aim to spot barriers and build small, concrete changes that fit everyday life.
Outside of clinical work, Denise has a long history in competitive swimming and remains active with swimming, skiing, travel, and time with her sons and family. She frames therapy as collaborative work and invites clients to set clear goals and practical steps toward better rest and day-to-day functioning.
Approaches that translate well to online care
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and responding to what matters most to the person. It emphasizes empathy, respect, and helping clients set their own goals, which makes it useful for exploring sleep troubles, stress, and relationship worries.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify patterns of thinking and behavior that contribute to anxiety, depression, and sleep problems. CBT breaks those patterns into concrete steps and experiments that can be practiced between sessions to see real change.
Mindfulness Therapy brings simple attention and breathing practices into moments of overwhelm. It can help with better sleep, lowering reactivity, and managing persistent worry by training attention to be steadier.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the client about goals and preferences and then suggest methods to try. Sessions often adapt over time so techniques that work best for sleep, stress, or relationships get prioritized together.
If you are considering online therapy, confirm the current session options before booking. Online care can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. It also lets therapists use worksheets, guided exercises, and mindfulness practices during sessions to reinforce change between meetings.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
22+ years
Credentials
Oregon
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does Denise help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, sleep problems, relationship and family concerns, grief, trauma, addiction, parenting strain, and related issues such as chronic illness, caregiver stress, and end-of-life concerns.
How would you describe her therapy style?
The style is active, straightforward, and goal-oriented. Sessions focus on practical steps, changing unhelpful thinking, and building everyday habits people can use between meetings.
What is her professional background?
Denise has over 22 years of clinical experience and has worked in inpatient psychiatry, hospice, integrated medical settings, child and family services, and tribal wellness programs.
What credentials and location does she hold?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Oregon and currently works from a small private practice in rural Oregon.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted; sessions are conducted with clients located where her licensure allows practice.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What should I do to begin working together?
Use the Start Therapy button, fill out a short matching questionnaire, and schedule based on the therapist's availability.