sonora
Sonora is a non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing music therapy through therapeutic, psychosocial, and wellbeing programmes. We offer specialised trainings for health professionals, design corporate programmes for organisations, conduct research, and advocate for the benefits of music therapy in various contexts. Our work is rooted in a multidisciplinary approach, integrating expertise from music therapy, medicine, psychology, neuroscience, education, musicology, and humanistic sciences. We provide cutting-edge methodologies and specialised tools to enhance human care and wellbeing in a wide range of settings, needs, and ages.
what we do
We collaborate for the recognition and application of music therapy in health, education, psychosocial care and human well-being.
how we do it
Providing top-tier, evidence-based music therapy services to diverse populations, enhancing their quality of life and emotional health.
Collaborating with a broad network of interdisciplinary professionals and academic institutions to foster the growth and application of music therapy.
Empowering health professionals and related practitioners with flexible, specialized training in receptive music therapy techniques.
Advocating for the integration of music therapy into healthcare and wellbeing practices, promoting its benefits for mental resilience and workplace wellbeing.
Leading the charge in public awareness and acceptance of music therapy as a vital component of holistic healthcare.
our vision
is to become a leader in music therapy, transforming lives through the healing power of music and fostering a society where mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing are seamlessly integrated into daily life.
our mission
is to promote Music therapy in Greece within the scientific community and the society and to contribute to the international exchange of knowledge, to develop expertise in various areas of Music Therapy in Mental health, Medicine and Healthcare, Neurosciences, Humanities and Social sciences, Education, and Well-being.
Professional Excellence and Growth
Committing to continuous professional development, specializing in advanced music therapy and wellness approaches.
Holistic Health and Quality of Life
Enhancing mental, physical, and spiritual well-being through creative and holistic methodologies.
Respect for Human Complexity
Honoring the multidimensional nature of humanity in all our practices and interactions.
our core values
are the foundation of everything we do. They guide our commitment to harnessing the power of music for healing and well-being in the respect to the multi-dimensional human nature. These principles reflect our dedication to innovation, professional excellence, and a holistic approach to health with adherence to the international scientific standards.
The Universal Power of Music
Harnessing the innate human response to music across all cultures, ages, and physical conditions.
Innovative Services and Research
Leading the way in Greece with pioneering methods in music therapy, services, and training programs.
Credibility and Responsibility
Promoting health with scientifically validated, evidence-based practices in partnership with top-tier professionals.
Meet the Team
Sonora’s members are primarily professional music therapists and mental health professionals who are certified in our methods of receptive music therapy (GIM, Musicares/MusicImagery, Music Breathing). We also develop a broader network of health and mental health professionals, educators, musicians, scientists, and specialists within the humanistic professions with a special interest in music therapy or music and wellbeing interventions & applications. Some of our team members design, develop, and implement music therapy in various settings, and some others have complementary and consultancy role according to their field of expertise.
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Evangelia Papanikolaou, PhD, FAMI, EAMI acced.
Founder, Music Therapist & Trainer
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Ourania Liarmakopoulou, MA, NMT
Music Therapist
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Sotiris Yfantis
Res. Psychiatrist, MD, PhDc, MB, GIM Trainee
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Efi Kapsimalli, MD
Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
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George Tsouvelas, PhD, MSc, MPH
Psychologist - Psychotherapist
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Alexandros Charkiolakis
Musicologist
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Our scientific work is developed and overseen by health and mental health professionals, along with other experts. It is approved by an international multidisciplinary committee and our board of directors.
Members
Panagiotis Alexopoulos, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Director of Psychiatric Clinic, University of Patras
Alexandros Charkiolakis, BMus, MMus, Musicologist, Director of The Friends of Music Society, Music Megaron/Lilian Voudouri Library
Orestis Giotakos, MD, PhD, Military Psychiatrist, founder of Obrela Brain Hub
Filippos Gourzis, Professor of Psychiatry, Psychiatric Clinic, University of Patras
Marianna Kapsetaki, MD, PhD, Neurosurgery Resident, Neuroscientist, Imperial College London, Classical pianist, Forbes 30 Under 30 /Europe
Efi Kapsimali, MD,Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
Diana Kayafa, Art psychotherapist, MA Analytic Art Psychotherapy, Programme Convener Roehampton University, UK
Dikla Kerem, PhD, FAMI, EAMI, Music therapist/GIM therapist, University of Haifa-retired (Israel)
Barbara Kondylis, PhDc, MSW, MPH,Clinical Social Worker & Public Health Specialist, Hellenic American University
Joanne Loewy, Professor, Director, The Louis Armstrong Ctr for Music & Medicine / Mount Sinai Health System/ Icahn School of Medicine (USA)
Elissavet Maniatelli, PhD, MSc, RM, Ward Sister, Midwife, National Kapodestrian University of Athens, Aretaieio University Hospital
Stratoula (Toula) Mantziou, PhD, Professor of Developmental Psychology, Early Years Learning and Care Department, University of Ioannina (retired)
Garyfallia Ntziouni, PhD, Musicologist
Theodore Panoskaltsis, MD, PhD, FRCOG, CCTS (West London, UK), ESGO, ESPSO, Associate Professor in Gynaecological Oncology, 2nd Academic Department OBGYN, National Kapodestrian University of Athens, Aretaieion University Hospital
Andrew Rossetti, PhD, LCAT, MT-BC, Director Oncology Music Therapy, Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine, Mount Sinai Healthcare System (USA)
Ioanna Siafaka, Emeritus Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, National Kapodestrian University of Athens, Hellenic Society of Pain Management and Palliative Care
George Tsouvelas, PhD, psychologist-psychotherapist, school psychologist
Gert Tuinmann, MD, PhD, GIM therapist, MI assist. trainer-Internal (Oncology) & Psychosomatic Medicine, CBT, Schema Therapy & CBASP, Psychosomatic Medicine Dept., University Hospital Charite, Berlin (Germany)
Athina Vadalouka, PhD, FIPP, Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, National Kapodestrian University of Athens, Director of Pain Management Unit, Athens Medical Center
Sotiris Yfantis, MD, PhDc, EAMI, Psychiatry residence, MB therapist/assistant trainer, musician
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Sonora works with a diverse team of therapists and practitioners across Greece and internationally. While not all collaborators are listed on our website, please feel free to contact us directly for specific inquiries.
Carmen Angulo, EAMI accred., Retired University Teacher of Mus.Ed., MI & GIM therapist (Spain)Stefania Antonakopoulou (Στεφανία Αντωνακοπούλου) MA, music therapist
Anna Boehmig, (Άννα Μπέμιχ) Dipl. FH, FAMI, EAMI, Music Therapist-GIM therapist, EAMI ethics committee officer (Germany)
Artemis Christodoulou, (Άρτεμις Χριστοδούλου) MA, Psychologist, Music therapist, Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner trainee (UK/Greece)
Stamatia Giaka, (Σταματία/Τίνα Γιάκα) M.Ed., EAMI, Psychologist-Counseliing Psychologist, GIM therapist
Christos Gikas, (Χρήστος Γκίκας) MD, MA, Psychiatrist, GIM/MB advanced trainee
Efi Kapsimalli (Έφη Καψιμάλλη) Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, GIM advanced trainee, MB practitioner
Maria Konia (Μαρία Κόνια), MA, FAMI, Psychologist, Systemic psychotherapist, GIM Therapist
Valia Koutantou (Βάλια Κουτάντου), MA, Music therapist, GIM/MI advanced trainee
Joyu Lee, PhDc, MM, MT-BC, FAMI, Music therapist, GIM therapist,Senior Therapist at UNC Health, Narrative therapist, Music Breathing assistant trainer and supervisor (US/Canada coordinator)
Ourania Liarmakopoulou (Ουρανία Λιαρμακοπούλου) MA, NMT, Music Therapist-Neurologic Music Therapist, Educator, GIM/MI advanced trainee
Evangelia Papanikolaou (Ευαγγελία Παπανικολάου), PhD, FAMI, EAMI, Music therapist, supervisor, GIM, Music Imagery, Music Breathing therapist and trainer
Giorgos Panagiotopoulos, MSc, NMT, music therapist, Neurologic Music therapist, Sound therapist
Kyriaki Paslidi (Κυριακή Πασλίδη) MA, psychologist, systemic psychotherapist, GIM therapist
Evangelia Petroglou (Ευαγγελία Πέτρογλου), psychologist, systemic psychotherapist, GIM advanced trainee
Ortansia Petroglou (Ορτανσία Πέτρογλου), psychologist, systemic psychotherapist, GIM advanced trainee
Iro Prinou (Ηρώ Πρίνου) MA, EAMI, Psychologist, systemic psychotherapist, GIM therapist
Maria Radoje, MA, FAMI, Music Therapist, Educator, Mandala facilitator (UK)
Marilena Salta (Μαριλένα Σάλτα), MA, MT, NICU, MA Mus, Music therapist, music educator
Maria Samara (Μαρία Σαμαρά), MA-SFMT, EAMI Accred. GIM-MB therapist, practitioner NICU-trained music therapist, Universitäts-Kinderspital Zürich-Eleonorenstiftung, Switzerland
Diana Sarantopoulou (Νταϊάνα Σαραντοπούλου) psychologist, systemic psychotherapist, clinical hypnotherapist, MI therapist, GIM advanced trainee
Angela Shum, RN, MT-BC, MTA, FAMI, Nurse, music therapist, GIM/MB therapist, Music Breathing assistant trainer and supervisor (Hong Kong/China coordinator)
Marilena Smyrnioti (Μαριλένα Σμυρνιώτη) PhD, FAMI, psychologist, systemic psychotherapist, GIM therapist
Sofia Triantafyllidou (Σοφία Τριανταφυλλίδου), PhD, EAMI, psychologist-psychotherapist, clinical hypnotherapist, MI therapist, GIM advanced trainee
Sotiris Yfantis (Σωτήρης Υφαντής), MD, PhDc, EAMI, Psychiatry residence, MB therapist/assistant trainer, musician
we stand out because…
We are a multidisciplinary team with specialised and up-to-date knowledge in diverse fields, therefore, we offer a wide spectrum of advanced, innovative practices, complex, and multifaceted approaches, according to the standards of international research and literature. Our mutual goal is the promotion of music therapy for its effectiveness as an evidence-based practice and a modern health service towards the optimum quality of human life. We cover a wide range of expertise in different population groups and practices including music psychotherapy, neurologic music therapy, music therapy in technology, music medicine and neurosciences, psychoeducation and community projects, as well as music, wellbeing and corporate services.
Sonora is the only provider of the receptive music therapy methods GIM and Musicares (Music Imagery) in Greece as an accredited organisation of the European Association for Music and Imagery, and we represent the method Music Breathing internationally.
Music is the universal language
of mankind.
Make a donation.
Support our causes
Heal and transform lives by supporting SONORA. As the only non-profit in Greece dedicated to advancing music therapy, your donation helps us reach vulnerable populations—such as trauma survivors, cancer patients, and those with chronic illnesses—through the profound healing effects of music. With your help, we can continue to bring hope, emotional relief, and mental resilience to those who need it most, while pioneering innovative research and therapies that change lives. Join us in creating a world where music is a tool for health and well-being. Every contribution counts!
