What most of us know about hypnotism comes straight from Hollywood and involves swinging pocket watches and devious characters reciting the words "you are getting sleepy." But Lisa Ludovici operates very differently. She is a certified medical support hypnotist and is almost always brought in by a doctor. Frequently, they turn to Lisa when every other path to healing has failed.

Jackie Kotler is a case in point. She literally broke her back in a cliff jumping accident in the Dominican Republic. A difficult operation was followed by an even more difficult recovery. Traditional methods failed and Jackie tried acupuncture, alternative medicine and a psychologist without success. As a final "Hail Mary" effort, her doctors then turned to Lisa Ludovici and hypnotism to successfully heal her.

Lisa made the transition to hypnotist from a series of high-powered jobs in the world of advertising sales working for companies like America Online, Microsoft and Time Inc.

Click here to learn more about Lisa and her practice in New York City.

Special thanks to Bruce Feiler and his excellent book "Life Is In the Transitions" for bringing Lisa Ludovici to our attention.