Music therapy and psychotherapy in English for expats and English-speaking residents in Ecuador.
Calmia is a mental health and music therapy center in Quito, Ecuador. If you live in Ecuador and prefer therapy in English, we offer in-person sessions in Quito and online sessions anywhere in Ecuador for children, teenagers, adults and older adults, integrating clinical psychology and music therapy in a humanistic, person-centered approach.
Living outside Ecuador? Before your first session we confirm where you live. Depending on your country, we may refer you to a licensed professional near you.
How we can help
- Anxiety and stress
- Depression and low mood
- Grief and loss
- Academic stress
- Music performance anxiety
- Language, learning and emotional regulation in children and teenagers
- Neurological rehabilitation and chronic pain, as a complement to medical care
- Self-knowledge and personal growth
Not sure if we can help? Write to us. If it is not something we can support, we will guide you to the right professional.
How it works
- Message us on WhatsApp or email, tell us where you live, and schedule your first session.
- Pay in advance by bank transfer (Banco Pichincha or Produbanco) or, from abroad, by Western Union.
- Come to our office in Quito, or receive a Zoom link and join from a quiet, private place.
Details
- Sessions last 1 hour and cost USD 30, in person or online.
- Our office: De las Orquídeas E13-14 y De los Rosales, Quito. See the map.
- Monday to Saturday, by appointment, in Ecuador time (UTC−5).
- All you need is a device with a camera, a stable internet connection and headphones.
- Discounts are available for the USFQ community and through our social responsibility program.
Who will see you?
Mario Ayabaca, clinical psychologist (Central University of Ecuador), BA in Musical Arts summa cum laude (Universidad San Francisco de Quito, USFQ) and Master’s in Music Therapy (Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, UNIR, Spain). He is a full-time professor at USFQ, founder and president of the Ecuadorian Music Therapy Association (AEM), and Ecuador’s delegate to the Latin American Music Therapy Committee (CLAM).
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to know music?
No. No musical experience or talent is needed. Music is a means to express, regulate and understand what you are going through, always guided by a trained professional.
What happens in a session?
Depending on your goals, we may talk, listen to music, improvise with instruments, sing, write songs, or work with breathing and the body.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on each person. In the first session we get to know your situation and set goals together, and we review progress along the way.
Is it confidential?
Yes. Everything you share is handled with confidentiality and professional ethics, in accordance with Ecuadorian law. The only exceptions are those established by law, such as a risk to your life or the lives of others.
Can I cancel or reschedule?
Yes, free of charge with at least 24 hours’ notice. Cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice are charged as a completed session.
Do you work with insurance?
We issue an invoice that you can submit to your insurer. We have no direct agreements with insurance companies, and reimbursement depends on your policy.
Is this an emergency service?
No. If you or someone close to you is in immediate danger, call 911 in Ecuador, or your local emergency number if you are elsewhere.
Are you a music therapist or psychologist? See our clinical supervision in English.
Prefer to write? Email us at info@calmia.org. ¿Prefieres en español? Terapia online en español.