At Rising Tide Therapy, clients are met not with abstract theory or endless self-analysis, but with a structured and deeply affirming path toward real, sustainable change. Founded by Jason Alicea, a licensed therapist known for his direct yet compassionate style, Rising Tide Therapy offers a distinct alternative for individuals and couples who are ready to break free from the cycles of avoidance, emotional disconnection, and self-doubt.
Operating with a focus on high-functioning, logical thinkers, Alicea’s practice specializes in working with those who have historically kept emotions at arm’s length—people who have built success through structure, routine, and mental resilience, yet still find something missing. Whether grappling with surface-level relationships, trauma-informed patterns, or non-traditional relationship dynamics such as polyamory or ethical non-monogamy, clients are supported through a process of emotional unlearning, guided introspection, and goal-based transformation.
“The goal isn’t to stay in therapy forever,” says Alicea, Owner of Rising Tide Therapy. “It’s to help people build the emotional clarity, self-trust, and tools they need to graduate—ready to live intentionally, not just survive.” This mission is core to the practice’s philosophy: that therapy should be a launchpad for life, not a holding pattern.
Alicea integrates evidence-based modalities such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and psychodynamic methods to create personalized pathways for healing. These approaches are uniquely tailored to those who find typical therapeutic environments difficult to connect with. “Many of my clients don’t feel at home in traditional therapy settings,” Alicea explains. “They want results. They want tools. They want to understand themselves without feeling like they’re swimming in emotion. I get that.”
Clients working with Rising Tide Therapy are often high-achievers who appear well-adjusted on paper but report feeling disconnected in their most important relationships. Others are trauma survivors or individuals navigating complex identity questions and relational frameworks. For all, the common thread is a desire to move beyond survival mode and into a more grounded, connected way of living.
This work is underpinned by a larger belief in the power of emotional navigation—not avoidance. Rather than suppressing or getting lost in emotion, Rising Tide Therapy encourages clients to engage with their feelings like an internal GPS system, understanding them as signals rather than obstacles. This perspective allows individuals to build emotional resilience without becoming overwhelmed.
“Most people are taught to ignore or numb their emotions. But emotions aren’t the enemy—they’re messengers,” says Alicea. “When you understand what your feelings are telling you, you stop reacting impulsively or shutting down. You learn to respond intentionally.”
This emotional clarity is foundational to the transformation Rising Tide Therapy fosters. Clients shift from cycles of self-criticism to self-acceptance, developing an inner narrative that supports their growth rather than undermining it. Through therapy, they learn to replace perfectionism and avoidance with sustainable patterns of self-respect, insight, and forward momentum.
Central to Alicea’s approach is an emphasis on truth-telling—both in the therapeutic space and within oneself. This includes confronting difficult realizations about one’s patterns, desires, or relational boundaries. Yet, clients are never left alone in this process. They are met with humor, directness, and warmth—qualities that create a rare blend of challenge and support.
Unlike many therapists who primarily provide a listening ear, Alicea’s style is deeply collaborative and action-driven. “Most therapists offer a space to talk—I offer a space to change,” Alicea affirms. This distinction has made Rising Tide Therapy a go-to for those who may have tried therapy before without feeling any meaningful shift.
In addition to individual therapy, the practice also works with couples navigating emotional disconnection, broken trust, or evolving relational dynamics. Many are seeking new ways to communicate, heal, and reconnect beyond traditional roles or expectations. For these couples, therapy becomes a place not only to repair but to reimagine what their relationship can be.
As therapy increasingly evolves to meet the needs of diverse and complex clients, Rising Tide Therapy stands out for its nuanced understanding of emotional avoidance, its practical approach to healing, and its commitment to empowering clients to reclaim authorship of their lives. Whether someone is unpacking trauma, navigating polyamory, or learning how to truly feel for the first time, the message remains consistent: change is possible—and it starts with the willingness to get uncomfortable.
For those ready to break cycles, drop the mask of constant self-control, and embrace intentional living, Rising Tide Therapy offers not just a place to speak, but a space to become.
Learn more about Jason Alicea and Rising Tide Therapy via Instagram or risingtidetherapy.org.
