Meet Leah Foreman Sullivan

We recently connected with Leah Foreman Sullivan and have shared our conversation below.

Leah, so great to have you with us today. There are so many topics we want to ask you about, but perhaps the one we can start with is burnout. How have you overcome or avoided burnout?

I want to start by saying that as a healthcare provider, this is an ongoing mission, and I would say healthcare providers, depending on your setting, have chronic burnout that comes in flares and goes into remission.

So without said, how do I get my burnout to stay in remission?

Boundaries and conscious observation of my work body and my non work body.

Do I have enough energy to serve my families, and my own family?

Am I my best therapeutic self in session?

Am I taking care of my physical body in a way that matches the amount I’m working?

Have I been around for morning and bedtime routines with my own children?

I observe and ask myself these questions and if I don’t like the answers, I make a shift.

In order to not get into the thick of burnout, I will maintain by working really hard when I’m working and resting really hard when I’m resting — I tend to have modes that I have found and I’m able to turn them on and off.

One thing that I will say really helped me This past year was moving from a Google Voice number to a real life second phone for work. It’s not about clients messaging me at odd hours, we parents we keep odd hours and I have been known to text back and forth with parents at 11pm!

It’s about me physically being able to put work in a drawer at 6 PM and on Fridays, keep it there until Monday morning. My clients know that I do this and they know when they’re messaging with me it’s not my personal cell.

This allows me to be available and the therapist I would like to be while also maintaining boundaries around my mental space when I’m not working.

I also just started one day/night a month of a working staycation — I choose one of the beautiful hotels here and Denver and get into deep work sessions so I can maximize time. Then I eat at a beautiful restaurant and get a full 8 hours of sleep.

I don’t think burnout management or prevention is a one and done thing. I think that in our current working climate and culture, especially as a business owner and 10x that in healthcare, you could work every minute of your life — it’s up to you if you choose to.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m an occupational therapist and the founder of Nurtured Pediatrics, a small but mighty pediatric practice here in Colorado. We specialize in supporting infants and young children with feeding challenges, developmental delays, complex medical needs, and sensory and motor concerns—but what really makes us different is our team.

Unlike many local practices where your experience can feel hit or miss depending on which therapist you’re assigned, our care is consistent, collaborative, and deeply specialized. Every therapist on our team brings expertise and intention, and we work closely together to make sure families feel supported no matter who they’re working with.

What I love most about this work is how the smallest wins—like a child taking a bite of a new food or finally sleeping through the night—can create such meaningful change for the whole family. It’s powerful, personal work, and we don’t take that lightly.

This year, we’re growing in some exciting ways. We’ve expanded into Fort Collins, added Craniosacral Fascial Therapy (CFT) as a service, and are launching feeding groups called Lunch with Friends to give kids a fun, supported way to build skills around eating and social interaction. We’re also unveiling a new website that better reflects who we are and makes it easier for families and providers to connect with us.

At the heart of it all, our mission is simple: A connected family is the foundation to a thriving young life. That belief shapes everything we do.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I’m an occupational therapist, founder of Nurtured Pediatrics, and a mom. I run a Colorado-based pediatric practice that supports infants and young children with feeding challenges, developmental delays, and complex medical needs. Our team is made up of highly specialized, collaborative therapists who are committed to helping families feel more connected, confident, and supported in daily life.

Looking back, I think what’s carried me through this journey has been a deep commitment to staying true to myself and the mission, even when things got uncertain. There have been plenty of moments that required me to stretch, rework, or wait longer than I expected—but learning to trust the process and show up with consistency has made all the difference.

The most impactful lessons for me have come from choosing to lead with integrity, holding steady when things feel slow, and letting growth happen without forcing it. I’ve learned that resilience isn’t just about bouncing back—it’s about staying present and rooted, even when things are messy. And that patience—real, practiced patience—is often what allows meaningful work to take shape.

For anyone starting out: be kind to yourself and give your work time to unfold. Stay connected to your values, surround yourself with people who lift you up, and don’t rush the process. The good stuff takes time.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Here’s a warm and clear response that matches your tone:

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Yes, we’re always open to meaningful collaboration—especially with folks who are equally passionate about supporting families and young children. We love partnering with pediatricians, lactation consultants, feeding specialists, mental health providers, and other professionals who value a whole-family, relationship-based approach to care. We’re also interested in connecting with local businesses and organizations that serve families and want to build something community-focused together.

If you’re reading this and think we might be a good fit for collaboration, we’d love to hear from you! The best way to connect is through our website at [insert your website URL] or by following us on Instagram at @nurtured.pediatrics.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.nurturedpeds.com
• Instagram: @nurtured.pediatrics