Elise Classen
Bio
Elise is a licensed 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.
Her experience includes working with diverse populations in both outpatient and long-term care settings, addressing needs ranging from coping with life stressors to complex mental health conditions. Elise has created and facilitated emotional support, and skills training groups, provides individual therapy, and connects clients with social services and resources.
In her practice, Elise integrates a variety of evidence-based interventions, utilizing Person- Centered, Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral, Dialectical Behavioral, Narrative, Somatic, and Grief and Loss Meaning-Making theories, all guided by Lifespan Development philosophy. Elise is an active volunteer in her community, supporting individuals and families affected by physical and mental health challenges. She also serves as the Vice President of Free Indeed
Alliance, a non-profit organization that empowers individuals to overcome physical, emotional, and spiritual hardships. Her doctoral research will focus on identifying factors that contribute to thriving adjustment after loss in the elderly population, particularly concerning the physical and cognitive changes associated with aging, chronic illness, and the death of loved ones. From this research, Elise aims to develop interventions and programs that eliminate barriers and create opportunities to enhance life fulfillment in this population, addressing challenges across micro, mezzo, and macro levels to promote positive outcomes in the face of grief, loss, and 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.