Denise Stuntzner is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, working in human services for 36 years. She grew up in Coos Bay and received her Bachelor of Art Degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in 1984. She returned to Oregon and worked in child welfare for 4 years before starting graduate school at Portland State University. In 1990, she earned her Masters Degree in Social Work, concentrating in Planning, Administration and Management. Upon graduation, she was granted the Walter & Leah Winkle Award for Social Work Excellence. Until 1996, she worked at PSU on a NIMH grant. While raising her 2 sons, Ms. Stuntzner returned to clinical practice in child & family mental health, rehabilitation, hospice, and child welfare. She earned her license from the State of Oregon in 2006.
Prior to starting with Coastal Center, Ms. Stuntzner worked for 3 years as an Integrated Behavioral Health Clinician primarily with patients in Internal Medicine, Family Practice and OB. For the 10 years before working at NBMC, she worked for the Coquille Tribe as their Wellness Program Coordinator and then as a Qualified Mental Health Professional for Bay Area Hospital, mostly on the Inpatient Psychiatric Unit and conducting emergency psychiatric evaluations in the ED. Ms. Stuntzner has served as a Field Instructor for the Graduate School of Social Work at Portland State University and is also a state-certified Clinical Supervisor.
Ms. Stuntzner is an accomplished competitive swimmer: a former Big 10 Champion & record holder in the 100 & 200 Butterfly events, NCAA All American, and a 2014 Masters World Champion. She continues to swim, loves to ski and travel. She enjoys time with her sons, pets and extended family.