Meet Mim Bartos: Occupational Therapist

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

Hi Mim, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I am passionate about what I do. I feel like I was meant to be engaged in this line of work and that I am living into my calling. I am an occupational therapist specialized in treating sensory processing disorder and disorders of regulation. I primarily work with children and families, but consult with adults as well. From a very young age I’ve been able to connect with others and relate to their experiences. As a teenager, working in a day program for kids and young adults with disabilities, I immediately connected with and could calm a boy who struggled with regulation when other staff members could not. At the time, I didn’t understand why the other staff members had so much trouble, but reflecting back over the years, I realized that I was experiencing the benefits of a gift that allowed me to connect in such a way. My own life experiences, associated with sensory processing difficulties and past trauma, have molded me for this work and guided my interests for continuing education. This experience and advanced training provides me the unique opportunity to support others as they work through similar difficulties. Individuals from childhood through adulthood can learn to recognize the impact of sensory and emotional experiences on regulation and develop meaningful and successful ways to manage life’s challenges. I love supporting parents and children to bridge the gap dysregulation causes between them. My goal is not only to help ease the tension felt in those experiencing regulation disorders but to help strengthen social engagement to add joy. The clients I work recognize how passionate I am about supporting their success, and this had lead to the success of my practice.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I’ve always has a sense of what type of work I would be doing even before I had the words to describe it. Achieving it, however, wasn’t quite as easy. I’ve encountered a lot of doubters along the way. There always seemed to be someone nearby who tried to knock me down or tell me I wasn’t good enough. I stayed focused on what I know is true. I am a good therapist. I love supporting others and those I work with make beautiful progress that brings tears to my eyes. I love what I do and could not imagine doing anything else. I paid attention to what did and did not work for me across various employment settings and, eventually, the path became clear that it was time to launch a private practice and I haven’t looked back since. My practice is designed to meet clients where they are in ways that were not possible when I worked for others. I value empowering the client in our work together and view our sessions as collaborative. I am so excited to be collaborating with families across the Denver Metro area. It brings such joy to my heart when I see shifts beginning to take shape and glimmers of hope appear in their eyes. I’ve held a quote close to my heart since I was a teenager and recently was struck by how fitting it has been. “To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived – that is to have succeeded” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

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?
I’m always happy to go for a walk in nature at one of our many beautiful parks! It’s great to get a meal at City ‘O City or Watercourse and relax around a firepit at Breck Brew. Catching a concert or going for a hike at Red Rocks or walking to the farmers market are other fantastic ways to spend the day! Whatever we do, we’ll be outside enjoying the wonderful weather! The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am grateful to my mother, friends, and close colleagues who believed in me before I did. They helped me tune into myself and hear my calling. They stood by me through the stressful times and cheered me on when I was ready to leap.

Website: https://www.beyondsensory.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeyondSensoryMim