Sarah Alanis, M.S.

Hi, I’m Sarah Alanis, a Therapist and Licensed Psychological Associate at Sugar Land Psychological Associates, where I practice under the supervision of Dr. Derek Ream. I work with children ages five and older, adolescents, and adults who are seeking thoughtful, individualized care and a treatment process that feels intentional rather than generic. Many of the people I work with come in after recognizing that they want more than symptom management alone—they want to better understand themselves, their patterns, and how to move forward in a way that feels sustainable.

Much of my clinical work centers on trauma and post-traumatic stress, particularly the ways trauma can continue to affect the body, nervous system, sleep, and emotional functioning long after a difficult event has passed. Many clients describe feeling stuck in cycles of hypervigilance, emotional numbing, intrusive memories, irritability, or persistent internal tension, even when life outwardly appears stable. I approach this work in a paced and attuned way, helping clients understand how trauma responses develop, how they are maintained, and how healing can occur gradually through increased safety, emotional regulation, and restored trust in themselves.

My trauma-focused work was shaped significantly during my practicum training at a Crisis Center and Children’s Advocacy Center, where much of my work involved supporting children, adolescents, and adults navigating trauma-related concerns, anxiety, depression, and acute emotional distress. That experience grounded me in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), while also incorporating DBT-informed skills when emotional regulation, distress tolerance, or behavioral stabilization were clinically important. I continue to draw from these approaches across age groups, adapting treatment to developmental level, personality, and each person’s individual pace.

Prior to my current role, I spent several years working as a Registered Behavior Technician, which gave me extensive experience supporting neurodivergent children and families, particularly those navigating autism spectrum presentations, behavioral challenges, and developmental differences. I have also worked with younger children in behavioral and assessment-focused settings, and that background continues to inform a practical, developmentally sensitive perspective in both therapy and psychological assessment.

Insomnia is another major focus of my work, particularly when sleep disruption is tied to trauma, chronic anxiety, hyperarousal, nightmares, or conditioned fear around sleep itself. Chronic sleep difficulties often intensify mood instability, emotional exhaustion, and trauma symptoms in ways that can quietly erode daily functioning over time. My approach integrates evidence-based strategies for insomnia treatment alongside deeper therapeutic work so that sleep becomes part of the healing process rather than a separate struggle.

In addition to psychotherapy, I assist with comprehensive psychological assessments, including evaluations for ADHD, autism, diagnostic clarification, security officer suitability, and testing accommodations. I view assessment as a collaborative and integrative process designed to help individuals better understand their cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning in a way that creates clarity and direction rather than simply assigning labels. My experience working extensively with neurodivergent individuals allows me to approach this work with nuance, attention to strengths, and sensitivity to how people function across settings.

My clinical training has included correctional mental health, trauma-focused community settings, behavioral work with children, and private practice, all of which have shaped a therapeutic style that balances empathy with structure. Clients often describe my approach as grounded, intentional, and respectful of their pace—an environment where careful exploration can coexist with meaningful change.

Outside of my professional work, I enjoy weightlifting, reading, and spending time with my husband and our two fur babies. Those routines help keep me grounded and remind me of the importance of balance, consistency, and recovery—values I believe are just as important in therapy as they are in daily life.

If trauma, disrupted sleep, anxiety, depression, or unanswered psychological questions are affecting your sense of stability or well-being, I would be honored to work with you in a way that feels thoughtful, grounded, and genuinely supportive.

Starting therapy can feel like a big step, so I offer a free 15-minute video consultation where we can briefly connect, talk about what you’re looking for, and see whether working together feels like the right fit.