Elise Classen
Bio
Elise is a licensed clinical social worker in New Jersey with a Master's Degree in Social Work from Louisiana State University, a Master's Degree in Strategic Communication and Leadership from Seton Hall, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Rutgers University.
Elise began her career in a group practice and has worked with diverse populations in outpatient and long-term care settings, addressing needs from coping with life stressors to complex mental health conditions. She has created and facilitated emotional support and skills training groups, provides individual therapy, and connects clients with social services and resources. In 2025, Elise opened her private practice, Rooted and Rising Therapy Services, LLC, and continues to see outpatient clients and clients residing in Lifeplan retirement communities and medical rehabilitation.
In her practice, Elise integrates a variety of evidence-based interventions, including Person-Centered, Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral, Dialectical Behavioral, Narrative, Somatic, and Grief and Loss Meaning-Making theories, guided by Lifespan Development philosophy, to support client growth and guide treatment.
Elise is an active volunteer in her community, supporting individuals and families affected by physical and mental health challenges. She also serves as Vice President of Free Indeed Alliance, a non-profit organization that empowers individuals to overcome physical, emotional, and spiritual hardships and advance their well-being.
Elise’s doctoral research will focus on age-related life transitions, such as physical and cognitive changes, chronic illness, the death of a loved one, and changes in life purpose. She aims to identify factors that contribute to resilience and thriving in these adjustments, develop interventions and programs that remove barriers, and create opportunities to enhance life fulfillment for an aging population. She hopes to address challenges at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels to promote positive outcomes during life transitions, in response to loss, and amid systemic oppression.
Before entering the social work profession, Elise had a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry, where she led task teams, co-led a women’s leadership team, and was a founding member of a compliance and ethics committee.
Elise is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and the New Jersey Society for Clinical Social Workers.