Nancy Jordan sat down in my office and lit a cigarette--a deadly habit, given her severe asthma and tobacco allergies. Jonathan Hunter, M.D.--my supervisor, her psychotherapist--was also in the room.

As a pediatrician specializing in the care of children with lung disease, I was introduced to hypnosis 28 years ago in a dramatic way. “Paul is the most allergic patient I’ve ever encountered,” his ...