Meet Lacey Pacheco | Owner & Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lacey Pacheco and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lacey, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I started a private practice with locations in Boulder & Fort Collins called Colorado OCD & Anxiety Treatment. I struggled with significant Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) throughout my childhood, teenage years, and early adulthood. Looking back, it deeply shaped my inner world, even though at the time I had no name or understanding for what I was experiencing. This was in the 1990s, when OCD was rarely talked about, and the limited information available mostly focused on visible compulsions like handwashing or tidiness.

My experience didn’t fit these common stereotypes. What I had would now be recognized as harm OCD—persistent, intrusive fears that if I didn’t perform certain unrelated compulsions, something terrible would happen to my mom. She was both my role model and best friend, making those fears especially intense and painful. The anxiety was constant and overwhelming, yet completely hidden from those around me. I felt completely alone in what I was experiencing. It seemed like no one else dealt with anything similar, no one would understand, and to be honest, I didn’t even know what was happening myself.

Tragically, in my mid-20s, my mom passed away suddenly from breast cancer. After her death, my OCD shifted focus—I became consumed with worries that I too might die of cancer and leave my young children without a mother. This fear manifested in compulsive behaviors such as frequently Googling symptoms, seeking constant reassurance from doctors, undergoing repeated tests, and adhering to a strict, sugar-free diet.

My personal experience is what drew me to specialize in OCD and anxiety. I know firsthand how misunderstood OCD can be—even by professionals—and how damaging the wrong kind of therapy can be. Traditional talk therapy often unintentionally reinforces compulsions, which can make symptoms worse. OCD requires a very specific approach, and I felt strongly that I wanted to offer that kind of informed, targeted support to others.

I’m also very much a therapist who practices what I preach. I still use many of the same skills I teach my clients—every single day. OCD doesn’t just disappear; it’s something I’ve learned to live with and manage. Knowing how to create my own exposures and recognizing when I’m slipping into compulsive patterns is a life skill I continue to rely on. I often tell clients, “I wouldn’t ask you to do anything I haven’t done myself,” and I truly mean it.

There’s something incredibly meaningful to me about helping others navigate what I once felt so alone in. I’ve seen the power of proper treatment, both personally and professionally, and I feel honored to walk alongside my clients as they build the tools to reclaim their lives.

While our primary focus is on treating OCD and anxiety, my practice also offers a range of supportive services, including parent and family work through SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) training, couples therapy, and support for depression, phobias, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, and more.

What should our readers know about your business?
Colorado OCD & Anxiety Treatment specializes in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and anxiety, while also treating a range of co-occurring conditions such as depression, phobias, ADHD, ASD, ARFID, Trichotillomania, Dermatillomania, and Hoarding Disorder. We also provide family training and couples therapy to support the broader system surrounding each client.

Our team uses evidence-based treatment modalities, including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT), which are specifically designed to treat OCD. We also integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) training for parents and families—an approach I find to be an essential part of effective treatment for children with OCD or anxiety. I also offer a virtual monthly course for parents and caregivers to help them better understand OCD and anxiety, how these conditions are treated, and the important role they play in the treatment process.

What sets our practice apart is our proven system for motivating clients to engage in exposures, actively involving families in the process, and increasing follow-through. I am especially proud of the supportive environment we’ve built, the strong connections we maintain with our clients and their families, and the growth we’ve achieved in both our Boulder and Fort Collins locations.

This journey has been one of learning and refinement—drawing from my experiences as a practitioner, a parent of a child with OCD, and someone with personal insight into the condition. I’ve relied on intuition from the start, and it has guided me in building a practice that reflects both compassion and evidence-based care.

Living by our mission statement isn’t just a goal—it’s something we actively practice every day – At Colorado OCD and Anxiety Treatment, we are committed to walking alongside individuals and families as they navigate the challenges of OCD, anxiety, and related conditions. Our mission is to provide compassionate, evidence-based care that honors each person’s unique journey. Through a warm, collaborative approach grounded in proven treatments like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), we strive to create a safe space for healing, growth, and lasting change. We believe that with the right support, every person can find hope, strength, and a path forward.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Boulder will always hold a special place in my heart, but I also spend a lot of time in Fort Collins and love what both cities have to offer.

Boulder Favorites:
Boulder Farmers Market, Pearl Street – especially Boulder Bookstore, Hapa Sushi, Wonder Juice Bar, The Jungle Tiki Bar, and Foolish Craig’s for breakfast or lunch, Catching a football game at Fairview High School on a Friday night, Hiking at Chautauqua, Manicure, pedicure, or facial at Jlounge on Walnut Street, Coffee at Spruce Coffee Shop in North Boulder, Tubing down Boulder Creek, Strolling through the University of Colorado campus, Avery Brewing and Sanitas Brewing Company, Swimming at the Elks pool.

Fort Collins Favorites:
New Belgium Brewery, Odell Brewing Company, Downtown Fort Collins – Austin’s, Beau Jo’s Pizza, and Stuft Burger are musts, Scenic drive up Poudre Canyon, Hair appointment with Johnnie at Lleu Hair & Co.,,Walks around the Colorado State University campus, a spa day at Allura, Catching a movie at Cinemark Fort Collins or at the Holiday Twin Drive-In.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to my family—my husband Jeff, who I’ve been lucky to share 20 wonderful years of marriage with, and our three incredible, inspiring children: Peyton, Bear, and Harper. When I made the decision to return to school for my master’s degree, our kids were still young, and I never imagined it would lead me to the path I’m on today.

This journey has been filled with unexpected turns and meaningful growth, and I’m deeply grateful for how it’s all unfolded. But none of it would have been possible without my family. Their constant encouragement, their willingness to step in whenever I needed support, Jeff’s invaluable business insight, and—most importantly—their unwavering belief in me made this dream a reality. At the heart of it all, my mission has always been to show my children that with dedication and heart, they can achieve anything they set their minds to.

I also want to thank my dad, Larry, for always being ready to help in any way he could—and for always believing in me.

I would be remiss if I didn’t give a very special shoutout to my loyal sidekick, Maverick—my best friend and cherished therapy dog—who is by my side at work every single day. His calm, loving presence brings comfort, joy, and meaningful connection to everyone he meets. Maverick is not only an essential part of our team, but also a deeply treasured part of my life and our family.

Website: www.coloradoocdanxietytreatment.com

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