Denise Coldwater

Denise Coldwater is a native northern Oklahoman, raised in Ponca City and living most of her life in western Oklahoma. Denise’s education is grounded with an emphasis in education. Denise has stayed connected to children, teens and adults since graduation from NWOSU in 1975. Her work experience has been diversified including classroom experience for many years, college administration and private counseling. At one time Denise was responsible for pet therapy at the Ronald McDonald house.

Denise's experience includes counseling for Dr. Walton’s bariatric patients through the St. Mary’s – Saints Wise weight control program, special needs counseling, Christian counseling, and family counseling.

Denise works as a divorce coach in the Collaborative Law process allowing divorcing couples and their children to work through issues without the anger found in most litigation cases. Collaborative law is a new opportunity for divorcing couples in Western Oklahoma . As a coach, Denise adds a human softness to the ordeal, making each side see the other party as a co-parent and as a person. The emotional and monetary costs of a collaborative divorce is considerably less than is litigation. Denise is trained in the collaborative process to be certain both parties are fair towards one another and to keep the fighting and the court out of their divorce.

At present Denise is seeing clients of all ages and needs as a psychiatric rehabilitation specialist. She has special interest and expertise in bariatrics, integrating her training in nutrition and counseling, cultural and social competence, behavioral healthcare, and pre and post surgery counseling needs. Denise is also skilled in providing therapy through interests such as pet therapy, cooking therapy and other interactive projects.

Denise has served on several national boards serving Rural America’s needs including the National Rural Educators. Denise is a member of Leadership Oklahoma, Class VIII and served on their executive board along with several other community and state boards. Presently Denise serves on the Rural Health Projects/NwAHEC board serving 19 counties in NW Oklahoma.

Denise and her husband Michael have raised three sons and presently ranch in Western Oklahoma.