Local Hypnotist to Release CD Aimed to Keep New Year's Resolutions

Earlier this year, Smithtown resident Terry Parrett modified his stage performances from magic to comedy-hypnotism. Now he wants to use hypnotism to help people. Parrett is putting the finishing touches on a hypnosis CD geared for motivating people to stick to their New Year's resolutions, due out by Jan. 1.

"Since many people keep and promptly break their resolutions, I'd like to use hypnosis as a way to help people make the changes they want and to help make them permanent and easy to keep," Parrett said.

Parrett grew up in Hauppauge where he conducted his first hypnotism at the age of 13. Magic, which he has done full-time since 1991, ended up becoming his primary act. Some of his routine tricks were card tricks and escaping from a straitjacket. Years later, Parrett said he needed a change.

"I felt that business-wise, there is a greater potential in stage hypnosis," he said. "And I really like the fact that in hypnosis the emphasis is on the volunteers, not me. Most adults don't really care about magic or mind reading terribly much. It's fun, but not particularly memorable. However, when they see their friends on stage, doing funny things such as singing, dancing or imitating Elvis, they'll be talking about that for a long time."

To put people under his spell Parrett uses a technique that guides subjects into a "trance state." He then convinces them they're on a warm beach, before dropping the temperature to freezing cold. In another segment, Parrett makes the subjects believe they are five years old. Naturally, there will be skeptics to the idea of stage hypnotism being authentic.

"Hypnosis is absolutely real," Parrett said. "There is a lot of debate about what hypnosis is and isn't, but in my opinion, it is basically getting someone very relaxed and very focused and then allowing their subconscious mind to have some fun."

Allan Rubinstein can attest as he admitted Parrett hypnotized him at a bar.

"Apparently I was easily hypnotized because I went right under," he said. "It was kind of otherworldly and surreal. I was very relaxed and comfortable. It seemed like I was up on stage for just five minutes but it was more like 50 minutes."

Before you attempt to hypnotize someone, Parrett stresses that you need to be trained correctly to avoid putting any of your subjects in danger.

"You certainly need to keep a careful eye on your volunteers and make sure they don't trip or fall, but a good hypnotist should have a safe show."