Sage Alliance Schools Strengthens Clinical Leadership in New Jersey

New Clinical Director named at Mahwah; School Psychiatrist role established at Rochelle Park

MAHWAH, N.J. and ROCHELLE PARK, N.J., Oct. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sage Alliance Schools, a leader in therapeutic education with a college-preparatory focus, announced two key clinical appointments serving families and districts across New Jersey. Dr. Lauren M. DePinto, DSW, LCSW, has been named Clinical Director at the Sage Alliance Mahwah campus, and Dr. Olivia M. Gibson-Delaney, M.D., will serve as School Psychiatrist at Rochelle Park, effective September 2025.

"Elevating on-campus clinical leadership is central to how Sage Alliance supports students with mental-health needs while keeping their academic goals on track," said Samantha Messer, Vice President of Sage Alliance Schools and Thrive Alliance Group. "Dr. DePinto brings deep expertise in school-based mental health and crisis response, and the addition of Dr. Gibson-Delaney as School Psychiatrist in Rochelle Park expands access to specialized care and strengthens our partnership with families and districts."

As Clinical Director in Mahwah, Dr. DePinto will coordinate therapeutic services and care planning with teachers and families; supervise and coach clinicians; enhance risk-assessment and crisis-response protocols; and align therapeutic interventions with students' Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goals to support attendance, classroom engagement, and college- and career-readiness.

Dr. DePinto most recently served Ridgewood Public Schools as the district's first K–12 Coordinator of School-Based Mental Health Services and previously as a Crisis Intervention Counselor and School Social Worker, bringing nearly 25 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, and families in educational and clinical settings. Her credentials include a Doctor of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice, an MSW from Columbia University, and a BS in Social Work and Sociology from Seton Hall University. She is a New Jersey Licensed Clinical Social Worker and holds an NJDOE School Social Work Certificate, with advanced training in trauma-informed care, psychological first aid, and threat assessment. She contributed to the New Jersey Comprehensive School-Based Mental Health Guide as a chapter reviewer and author on risk assessment and response.

At Rochelle Park, Dr. Olivia M. Gibson-Delaney, a board-certified psychiatrist, will provide on-site psychiatric consultation, support diagnostic clarification and care planning, collaborate closely with families, outside providers, and school clinicians, and contribute to staff training on mental-health topics relevant to learning. Dr. Gibson-Delaney completed psychiatry residency at Mount Sinai West and Morningside in New York, earned her M.D. from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, and has practiced across inpatient, emergency, community mental-health, and telehealth settings. Her experience includes service as an attending psychiatrist at Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center and current work with Easterseals' Center Path Wellness clinic and Iris Telehealth. She holds active medical licensure in New Jersey and is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

This expansion is overseen by Samantha Messer who brings over 25 years of education leadership. She has held roles as a teacher, school administrator, and district executive, founded a high school for students with special needs in New York, and developed autism programs in Newark. Prior to joining New Story, she oversaw 14 Newark schools serving more than 6,500 students. Samantha holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, NYU, Columbia University, and Harvard University, and she is licensed as a Superintendent in New Jersey.

Sage Alliance Schools accepts students across its three New Jersey campuses on a rolling basis throughout the school year. Learn more at sagealliance.com.

About Sage Alliance Schools
Sage Alliance Schools are New Jersey therapeutic day schools dedicated to helping students with mental-health needs succeed in a structured, supportive environment. Sage Alliance integrates evidence-based clinical services with college-preparatory academics, small class sizes, and a multidisciplinary team approach, partnering with families and districts so students can build the skills and confidence to thrive in school and beyond.

SOURCE Sage Alliance Schools