Inspiring Conversations with John Tsilimparis

Today we’d like to introduce you to John Tsilimparis.

Hi John, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m a licensed psychotherapist in Los Angles. I’m also an author and a teacher. My journey started in the early 1980s when I sought help for anxiety and panic attacks. As a result, I evolved, grew and prospered because of that help, and it inspired me to become a psychotherapist myself. Since then I have been in private practice for close to 30 years, I have published two books and I’m also a former Adjunct professor at Pepperdine University, Antioch University and UCLA extension.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not smooth, but all difficult experiences have so much growth potential that if it had been smooth, I am not sure I would be in the place I am in. It’s really all about cultivating the benefits of our shortcomings or with who we truly are. For example, These days, I use anxiety as an asset to my work, it keeps me on my toes and gives me purpose. Even the nervous butterflies we all get when we are anxious about something new, I train my butterflies to fly in orderly formation for 5-10 minutes at a time.

Hence I HAVE to embrace my vulnerabilities on a daily basis. So, I ask myself every morning: “Am I unique? Or a freak?” Unique not only sounds better, but it’s the more accurate statement.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I treat individuals with severe anxiety disorders, addictions, depression and many other mental health conditions. I was also a staff clinician at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center/Department of Psychiatry and Kaiser Permanente.

I am proud of my work because I know I have positively impacted so many over the last 28 years. I’m also proud of the pro-bono work I have done for the cause of ending mental illness stigma. Recently, Harper Collins re-issued my self-help book, Retrain Your Anxious Brain.

I also host a popular podcast called, Mindfulness For the Soul available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
There are so many, not sure I could list them all. But they are previous therapists, supervisors, professors and my late parents who always supported my dreams.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.johntsilimparis.com
• Instagram: @mindfulness_for_the_soul – https://anchor.fm/john-tsilimparis
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.tsilimparis/
• Twitter: @johntsilimparis
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGwa9UpA2ScPZvmDefMcOLA
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/jparislmft
• Other: www.panicla.com