Rewriting The Rules: Anxiety, Belonging, and the Power of Support | Dr. Lauren Bleggi
For so many students today, the biggest barrier to learning isn’t ability. It’s anxiety, burnout, and feeling unseen. In this episode, host Tracey Spencer Walsh sits down with Dr. Lauren Bleggi, Head of School at SAGE Alliance New York City, to explore how therapeutic education can redefine what success looks like for students struggling with mental health challenges. Dr. Bleggi shares her personal journey from classroom teacher to school counselor to head of a groundbreaking therapeutic school opening in Manhattan, where academics and emotional well-being are treated as inseparable. Together, they discuss how SAGE Alliance helps students rebuild confidence, re-engage with learning, and prepare for life after high school, with compassion, structure, and purpose. Here’s what you’ll take away from this episode: 🟡 What makes a therapeutic school different and why many academically capable students need this kind of environment 🟡 How SAGE Alliance blends rigorous academics with individualized therapy and social-emotional skill building 🟡 Why success isn’t “graduation”. It’s helping students rediscover joy, connection, and self-belief 🟡 The mental health trends Dr. Bleggi sees post-pandemic and how schools can respond 🟡 How positive affirmations and flexible classroom strategies can transform self-talk and test anxiety 🟡 The importance of family partnership and why parent self-regulation is key to student success “If you have 20% and you give me 20%, you actually gave me 100% that day. What can you give me today? I will meet you there.” - Dr. Lauren Bleggi This episode is a must-listen for parents, educators, and advocates seeking solutions for students who are bright, capable, and struggling to thrive in traditional settings. Learn how the SAGE Alliance model is helping students and their families build the confidence and coping skills not just to attend school, but to love learning again. Press play to hear how empathy, innovation, and therapeutic support can create schools where every student feels seen, supported, and capable of success.
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Dr. Lauren Bleggi, Ed.D. Head of School, SAGE Alliance New York City Dr. Lauren Bleggi is a licensed educator and school leader dedicated to creating environments where students thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. She began her career in education with a B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and soon discovered her passion for supporting students’ mental health and personal growth. This led her to earn an M.Ed. in Educational Psychology from the University of Utah, specializing in College and Career Readiness. After years as a high school counselor, helping students navigate academics, social-emotional development, and postsecondary planning, Dr. Bleggi pursued her Ed.D. in Learning and Organizational Change from Baylor University. Her doctoral work focused on parental self-regulation, reinforcing her commitment to supporting both students and families through the educational process. An experienced leader in curriculum development, social-emotional learning (SEL), and data-driven school improvement, Dr. Bleggi brings a collaborative and compassionate approach to every level of education. Today, as Head of School at SAGE Alliance New York City, she continues her mission to bridge academic rigor and therapeutic support, helping students rediscover confidence, purpose, and the joy of learning.
