08/06/2026
Dear Colleagues,
We are looking forward to the GIM conference in Greece in September 2026! The 2026 GIM Conference in the island of Spetses invites contributions that explore the dynamic relationship between music, imagery, and wellbeing — a dialogue between sound and vision, art and science, inner and outer landscapes. Our theme, “The Interplay of Music, Imagery, and Wellbeing: Diverse Approaches and Perspectives,” encourages an open, interdisciplinary exploration of how creative and therapeutic processes can foster balance, vitality, and meaning in human life.
In this context, wellbeing is understood as a holistic, evolving state encompassing physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual dimensions. It is not merely the absence of illness, but the presence of vitality, self-awareness, and harmony — a capacity to live fully and creatively, to adapt to challenges, and to connect deeply with oneself, others, and the world.
Music and imagery have long been powerful mediators of wellbeing. Within the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) and related Music and Imagery (MI) approaches, they offer pathways for transformation: strengthening resilience, integrating emotions, expanding imagination, and enhancing self-regulation and self-acceptance. These processes support not only psychotherapeutic aims but also broader goals of personal growth, community wellbeing, and collective healing.
The conference embraces diverse contexts where GIM and MI can flourish — from clinical and medical settings to educational, spiritual, and organizational environments. It also welcomes perspectives that extend beyond traditional frameworks, including:
Cross-arts and interdisciplinary practices, where music meets movement, visual arts, dance, drama, or storytelling;
Nature-based and eco-therapeutic approaches, exploring how sound, imagery, and environment interweave to promote connection and ecological awareness;
Art and health collaborations, examining how creative expression supports recovery, resilience, and community health;
Arts and work environments, investigating how music, imagery, and other art modalities can enhance wellbeing, creativity, and communication within professional or corporate settings;
Cultural and philosophical perspectives, deepening our understanding of wellbeing through global and local traditions.
Rooted in the ancient Greek vision of harmony between body, mind, and spirit, the conference setting itself offers a meaningful context. The Greek word “euexia” (ευεξία) — from eu (“good”) and hexis (“habit” or “condition”) — speaks of wellness as “good living habits,” a conscious cultivation of inner and outer balance. Closely related, “euzoia” (ευζωία) — from eu (“good”) and zoe (“life”) — expresses the idea of a good life: a state of positive mental health characterized by resilience, joy, creativity, and meaningful connection.
Together, these concepts capture the essence of our gathering: an invitation to reflect on how music and imagery can sustain both personal and collective wellbeing –euexia and euzoia– through art, imagination, and shared human experience. We warmly invite you to contribute papers, workshops, and experiential presentations that illuminate this interplay and celebrate the transformative power of music and imagery in fostering wellbeing.
For more information you can visit:
Full Conference: Pre-conference “Embodied Listening in the Blue Space Underwater Soundscapes, Imagery and Wellbeing” + Main conference Wednesday 9:00 – Sunday 13:00 630 EUR
