Sara Loca the counselor and coach who owns Forza Tesoro Psychotherapy and Coaching is crouching down with a clear umbrella smiling with fall leaves in the background

Hi, I’m Sara!

Sara Loca, MA, LPCc (she, her, hers)

why pronouns matter

I’m a whole-person somatic and experiential counselor and coach. I specialize in chronic people pleasing, trauma, and life transitions (quarter-life crisis and perinatal), as well as a holistic approach to anxiety and depression.

So, here we are, and I’m beyond honored to *sit* across from you. 

Let’s Chat

In a space of warmth, wonderment, and nourishment mindfully (re)connect to your inner wisdom. Together, we craft a custom therapeutic journey for you using body-based, experiential, imaginal, and holistic counseling approaches. Systems (oppressive, cultural, familial, etc.) and trauma-informed lenses are embedded at each step to re-contextualize experiences and mindfully direct actions. I support your compass with tools, psychoeducation, resources, and culturally, LGBTQIA+, and neuro -affirming care practices.

Folks describe me as a warm, nurturing, thoughtful, and engaged counselor. I unapologetically think in webs (hello, neurospicey people) and am often conversing with clients in nonverbal spaces too. I build an authentic connection and a collaborative relationship with clients to foster embodied growth. You are received with compassion, understanding, and respect. Your intuition and bodily wisdom are the compass. I listen and learn from my clients’ wisdom.

An image of an olive tree growing in the middle of a white brick piazza framed by an arched doorway in the surrounding wall on a sunny day. Meant to represent the Italian roots of the practice name "Forza Tesoro" meaning "You can do it, dear."

Why Forza Tesoro?

“Forza tesoro” is a heartfelt Italian phrase that blends strength and love. “Forza” uplifts, reminding us of our courage, while “tesoro” wraps us in warmth and connection. Together, it’s a tender encouragement to face challenges with resilience and compassion, embracing ourselves and those we hold dear.

Training and Credentials:

  • Somatic EMDR Therapy training (2025)

  • Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCc) in the state of Colorado supervised by Sophie Keeley, MA, LPC (2021-present)

  • Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for Trauma Themes Level I training (2022-2023)

  • Postpartum Support International’s Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders: Components of Care training (2022)

  • Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Naropa University (2018-2021): A mental health counseling program with an emphasis on mindfulness, social justice, Gestalt, transpersonal, and nervous system regulation counseling approaches based in Boulder, Colorado. I completed my practicum and internship training at Naropa Community Counseling.

  • 200-hour yoga Teacher Training from Avalon International (2014-2015): A medical-based yoga teacher training program in Palo Alto, California led by Stanford Ph.D. and former Harvard University Research Fellow of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The program focuses on inflammation, proprioception, physiological foundations, and trauma-informed considerations.

  • Bachelor’s degree in Strategic Communication from University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (2005-2009)

*I also volunteered for the following organizations: International Rescue Committee, Crisis Text Line, Free Arts Minnesota, and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

More About Sara

  • Black and white image of Sara Loca holding a yoga pose. Meant to represent her yoga and dance movement background that was a precursor to her interest and skills in somatic therapy.

    My somatic journey started long ago with dance and yoga. I've always intuitively understood the language of the body.

    I spent seven years teaching and twenty years practicing dance and Western adaptations and appropriations of Indian yoga practices. I deeply enjoy trying new movement practices to continue building interception, proprioception, and an understanding of the community connection that forms when bodies move together. Movement practices I’ve tried include: restorative yoga, Vinyasa, tai chi, qigong, contemporary, modern, jazz, ballet, salsa, West African, flamenco, West and East Coast swing, kickline, tap, and hip hop.

  • Sara Loca wearing a black and white striped shirt, standing on a narrow stone street between old stone buildings decorated with potted plants in Puglia, Italy. Meant to represent her Italian immigrant heritage.

    I immigrated from Italy, and was gifted a lesson in systems.

    I had the opportunity to see the systems (and the harm they can create) all around me. Culture, systems, and identities matter. I’m a dual-cultural immigrant born in Milano to a Southern Italian parent who moved to Minnesota in the mid-90’s. I’m an ESL and low-income housing graduate. I experienced a family separation due to immigration and have been mis-identified as BIPOC.

  • An armchair where Sara Loca takes virtual coaching and therapy sessions. Meant to represent the career change from marketing to therapy that came from her quarter-life crisis.

    My quarter-life crisis brought me to this work, and I love it.

    I realized after my own quarter-life crisis that being a counselor is my dream job; and I’m beyond grateful for this new career. I worked a decade in communications and social media marketing at a corporation, Silicon Valley start-ups, and agencies. I’ve experienced a CEO emailing in the middle of the night, managing the unwieldily comments in social media posts, and the incredible community you can build at a workplace. Now, I adore sitting with folks as they grow and harvest the fruits of their own quarter-life crisis.

  • Sara Loca holding a baby while walking in a forest. Meant to represent Sara in her role as a mother which left her passionate for supporting people in the perinatal period.

    Becoming a mamma was really hard. Nothing went as expected. And yes, I love them to pieces.

    I have a tenacious toddler, kindhearted kiddo, and sweet pup who know me as mamma. With two rainbow NICU babies and a postpartum complex ankle fracture, my perinatal period was nothing like what I thought it was going to be. I am passionate about being with folks through whatever their perinatal transition is asking of them.

ABOUT THE LAND:

It’s also important to acknowledge that I practice on the ancestral homelands and unceded territory of Indigenous Peoples who have been in relationship with and stewarded lands in the Boulder area. Those Indigenous Nations include and are not limited to the: Di De’i (Apache), Hinono’eiteen (Arapaho), Tsistsistas (Cheyenne), Nʉmʉnʉʉ (Comanche), Kiowa, Čariks i Čariks (Pawnee), Sosonih (Shoshone), Oc'eti S'akowin (Sioux), and Núuchiu (Ute).