WINSTED — Known best as a local pharmacist, John Parisi has begun to make a name for himself as a diabetes educator and hypnotist.
Parisi first came to Winsted from Meriden in 1972 when he bought Ivery and Dudley Pharmacy from Jim Dudley. At 23, he was the youngest pharmacy owner in the state. In 1978 he expanded the business and purchased City Pharmacy from the Scarpelli family.
Parisi owned and operated Ivery and Dudley Pharmacy at 118 Main St. until 2006, when he sold the business to Stop & Shop.
"I decided I had enough of the insurance company world and decided I wanted to try something different," said Parisi.
About 15 years ago Parisi began offering smoking cessation classes through the pharmacy. Looking for a way to increase his clientele’s success rate, Parisi became a trained hypnotist and started offering hypnosis programs in conjunction with the smoking cessation classes.
Training through the New England Institute of Hypnotherapy and certified through the National Guild of Hypnotists, Parisi opened his own hypnosis practice two years ago.
While 70 percent of his business is related to weight loss and smoking cessation clients, Parisi said that hypnosis is used for a wide variety of purposes, from helping people overcome extreme fears and habits to relaxation and faster recovery times after surgery.
Accepted by the American Medical Association, hypnosis has been proven to be effective for a wide variety of disorders and situations. While the "Hollywood" hypnosis that has people clucking like a chicken quickly comes to mind when someone mentions getting hypnotized, Parisi said what he does is not the same thing.
"Hypnosis is actually a heightened state of suggestibility. You totally know what is going on and probably remember most or all of the session. You’re totally in control," said Parisi. "You don’t get stuck in hypnosis. I can’t make you do anything you don’t want to."
Parisi said he always welcomes new patients; however, an appointment is necessary. The only walk-ins he permits are for his Tuesday weight-loss group, which begins promptly at 7 p.m. Appointments can be made by calling 860-738-1055.
Aside from his new passion in hypnosis and diabetes education, Parisi is an avid cook. Having won several awards for bread baking, Parisi said his favorite way to relax is in the kitchen and it is not unusual for him to make three or four loaves of bread on the weekend.
His wife, Eileen, also has a love for cooking. She was the original owner of the Tributary Restaurant, a position she maintained for 20 years. Today she is a teacher at Northwestern Regional High School.
Parisi also enjoys spending time with his children, Ben, 15, Patrick, 20, and Kimberly, 38. He has two grandchildren to whom he is passing on his love of baking. In addition, he is an avid reader and record collector.
"I think either you have a passion for something or you don’t," said Parisi.
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