In my clinical practice at Jo H Gilbert Hypnotherapy, I support a wide range of clients, but the area where SFH has had a particularly significant impact is performance optimisation for musicians and performing artists. Having spent years on stage myself, I understand the adrenaline spikes, the trembling hands, the internal criticism, and the expectation to “just cope.” SFH allows performers to reconnect with their resources and strengths in a way that feels empowering rather than corrective.
One of the most effective techniques I integrate into this work is Rewind & Reframe. For musicians who have experienced difficult performances, moments where nerves took over, memory slipped, or critical feedback left its mark, the Rewind & Reframe helps the brain process and neutralise the emotional charge of those events. Once those old triggers lose their power, performers are then able to move forward confidently, using visualisation and trance to rehearse success rather than replaying fear. This combination has been transformational for many of the musicians I work with.
I’ve supported classical performers preparing for auditions and concerto appearances, as well as pop artists and bands ahead of major festival sets and arena shows. What strikes me again and again is how rapidly SFH enables them to regain control, clarity, and enjoyment. For some, that means walking onto a stage without the shaking bow hand that once created dread. For others, it means rediscovering the joy of music-making after years of pressure and burnout.
SFH has also shaped my own confidence as a therapist. The approach aligns naturally with the mindset I developed as a musician: noticing what is working, building on micro-successes, and honouring the client’s innate capability to change. It offers a positive, forward-focused way of working that uplifts both client and practitioner.
For me, Solution Focused Hypnotherapy isn’t just a therapeutic modality, it’s a bridge between the psychology of performance and the art of human resilience. It has allowed me to combine my passion for music, my lived experience of the stage, and my commitment to helping people move forward with greater calm, clarity, and courage.”
Jo Hampson-Gilbert
