About Rising Tide
It’s nice to meet you!
Hi, I’m Elsie Gaw (she/her), LCSW, MSW and the founder of Rising Tide Therapy.
I'm a therapist who shows up fully with warmth, compassion, and just the right amount of humor. I’m not a buttoned-up blank slate, and I don’t expect you to be either. I believe therapy works best when it feels like a real relationship — one where you feel safe, supported, and fully seen.
Before starting Rising Tide Therapy, I worked in community mental health and child and family therapy, where I supported individuals of all ages through some of life’s most complex and tender moments. That work shaped my belief that healing doesn't happen in isolation, it happens in connection.
Today, I work with individuals, couples, teens, and families navigating life transitions, anxiety, relationship challenges, and body image struggles. Many of my clients come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of how to move forward. Together, we slow things down, build clarity, and begin to shift the patterns that no longer serve you.
My approach is trauma-informed, attachment-based, and deeply person-centered. That means I’ll bring tools, insight, and reflections to guide you — but ultimately, you set the pace. Therapy with me is always personalized and collaborative. You’re the expert in your life, and I’m here to walk alongside you as you reconnect with your values, your relationships, and your sense of self.
Most of all, I want therapy to feel like a space where you can be real — because that’s where meaningful healing begins.
Being real and authentic matters to me — in therapy and in life.
When I’m not in session, you can usually find me curled up with a good book, singing along to Taylor Swift, or daydreaming about my next beach escape.
My education and training
Bachelors of Arts from the University of Virginia including minor in Psychology
Masters in Social Work from the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work
Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Colorado
Gottman Level 1 couples therapy training
Some training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Training in attachment-based therapies
Body Image, Emotional Eating, and Chronic Dieting training through PESI
Experience in community mental health in Massachusetts and in suburbs of Denver
My rates & insurance coverage
Through Headway, I am able to accept Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Anthem, Cigna, and Quest Behavioral Health.
Without insurance, I offer 50 minute individual sessions for $135, and 55 minute couples or family sessions for $150.
For individuals:
Anxiety
Depression
Navigating life changes
Dealing with difficult relationships
Stress & overwhelm
Body image
Challenges I work with
For couples:
Feelings of disconnect
Unmet emotional needs
Difficulty managing conflict
Navigating “ups and downs” of life
Unresolved past issues
Problems with trust
For families:
Communication challenges
Difficulty being vulnerable
Navigating changes together
Unhealthy family dynamics
Let’s chat
Starting therapy is a meaningful step, and finding the right fit matters. I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation so we can briefly talk about what you’re hoping for in therapy, answer any questions you might have, and see if it feels like a good match.
To schedule your consultation, please fill out the contact form below. I’ll be in touch within 1–2 business days to coordinate a time that works for you. I’m glad you’re here, and I look forward to connecting.