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Mónica Sobral is a PhD student in Clinical Psychology at the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the University of Coimbra and in Human Developmental Sciences at Mackenzie Presbyterian University. Her PhD project is focused on the study of neural, cognitive, and psychosocial adaptations in pregnancy and the postpartum period, related to maternal caregiving and mental health. Mónica completed the Integrated Master's in Clinical Psychology (subspecialization in Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions in Psychological and Health Disorders) in 2020 at the same institution. Mónica's main research interests are in perinatal mental health, translational affective and cognitive neuroscience, and non-invasive neuromodulation.
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Identification

Personal identification

Full name
Mónica Alexandra Correia Sobral
Date of birth
1997/12/11
Gender
Female

Citation names

  • Mónica Sobral
  • Sobral, M.
  • Sobral, Mónica

Author identifiers

Ciência ID
4B19-5597-A53D
ORCID iD
0000-0001-6003-1931

Email addresses

  • monicacsobral@gmail.com (Professional)

Websites

Knowledge fields

  • Social Sciences - Psychology

Languages

Language Speaking Reading Writing Listening Peer-review
Portuguese (Mother tongue)
English Advanced (C1) Advanced (C1) Advanced (C1) Advanced (C1)
Spanish; Castilian Elementary (A2) Elementary (A2) Elementary (A2) Elementary (A2)
Education
Degree Classification
2022/01 - 2025
Ongoing
 PhD in Clinical Psychology and Human Developmental Sciences (Doutoramento)
Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação, Portugal

Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie, Brazil
2023 - 2024
Concluded
 Advanced Professional Program - Intervention in Pregnancy and Parenthood [143h] (Pós-Graduação)
Instituto Português de Psicologia e Outras Ciências, Portugal
2023 - 2023
Concluded
 Training School on Infant's Neurodevelopment Assessment [15h] (Outros)
COST Action CA18138 - Riseup-PPD, Belgium
2021/10/21 - 2021/10/21
Concluded
 Workshop in Cost-Effectiveness and Cost-Utility (Outros)
COST Action CA18138 - Riseup-PPD, Belgium
2021/10/13 - 2021/10/15
Concluded
 Co-Organised Training School in The combination of TMS/tDCS with MR imaging (Outros)
COST Action CA18138 - Riseup-PPD, Belgium
2021/10/13 - 2021/10/13
Concluded
 Workshop in Psychophysiology (Outros)
COST Action CA18138 - Riseup-PPD, Belgium
2021/10/01 - 2021/10/01
Concluded
 Workshop "Three national perspectives in Europe on experiences of researchers in gaining informed consent from women with PPD in Research" (Outros)
COST Action CA18138 - Riseup-PPD, Belgium
2021/09/20 - 2021/09/20
Concluded
 Longitudinal Data Analysis Online Course (6h) (Outros)
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Investigação em Neuropsicologia e Intervenção Cognitivo-Comportamental, Portugal
2021/03/19 - 2021/03/21
Concluded
 Introductory Workshop in Internal Family Systems [15h] (Outros)
Portuguese Society for Constructivist Psychotherapies, Portugal
2021/02/17 - 2021/02/19
Concluded
 Training School in Evidence-Based Interventions in Peripartum Depression, online [15h] (Outros)
COST Action CA18138 - Riseup-PPD, Belgium
2020/11/27 - 2020/11/27
Attended
 Ethics in Scientific Research Seminar - Professor Luís Adriano Oliveira (Outros)
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Investigação em Neuropsicologia e Intervenção Cognitivo-Comportamental, Portugal
2020/11/23 - 2020/11/25
Concluded
 Training School in Principles and Practices in Clinical Trials [15h] (Outros)
COST Action CA18138 - Riseup-PPD, Belgium
2015/09 - 2020/07
Concluded
 Integrated Masters Degree In Clinical Psychology (Mestrado integrado)
Major in Cognitive-behavioral Interventions in Psychological and Health Disorders
Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação, Portugal
"Association Between Cortical Thickness and Anxiety Measures: A Scoping Review" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
 18
2019/12/18 - 2019/12/20
Concluded
 Systematic reviews and meta-analysis: Step-by-step roadmap from complicated manuals to practicable practice [21h] - Neuza Silva (Outros)
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Investigação em Neuropsicologia e Intervenção Cognitivo-Comportamental, Portugal
2019/12 - 2019/12
Concluded
 Fundamental Neuroscience for Neuroimaging Course Johns Hopkins University on Coursera [9h] (Curso médio)
Coursera, United States
Affiliation

Science

Category
Host institution 		Employer
2022/01/01 - Current Researcher (Research) Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal

Others

Category
Host institution 		Employer
2021/01/04 - 2022/01/01 Junior Clinical Psychologist (Professional Internship) e.Stim , Portugal
2019/10 - 2020/03 Curricular Internship in Clinical and Health Psychology Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação, Portugal
Projects

Grant

Designation Funders
2022/05/01 - Current The importance of social touch for infant social-emotional development: integrating neuroimaging, psychophysiological, endocrine, and behavioral evidence
21/06693-4
Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie, Brazil
 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
Ongoing
2022/01/01 - Current Brain changes in pregnancy and the postpartum period, maternal caregiving and Peripartum Depression: A multimethod longitudinal study
2021.07006.BD
PhD Student Fellow
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Ongoing
2023/03/01 - 2026/02/28 Neural correlates of joint attention: A foundational basis to subsequent social competence
2022.10347.PTDC
10.54499/2022.10347.PTDC
Researcher
Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
 Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Ongoing

Other

Designation Funders
2020/11 - 2023/05 CA18138 - Research Innovation and Sustainable Pan-European Network in Peripartum Depression Disorder
CA18138
Researcher
EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Science with and for Society
Ongoing
2018 - 2019 Fear memory: A neuromodulation study in generalized anxiety disorder
PTDC/MHC-PAP/5618/2014
Collaborator
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal
Concluded
2017/07 - 2018/09 Social Representations of Psychological Knowledge, Need for Cognition and Frames of Reference of Psychology Students
-
Collaborator
Concluded
Outputs

Publications

Conference abstract
  1. Raquel Guiomar; Mónica Sobral; Maria Vasileiadi; Ana Ganho-Ávila; Anna-Lisa Schuler. "Imaging-informed targeting approaches for NIBS in PPD". 2023.
    10.1016/j.brs.2023.01.037
  2. Ferreira, A.M.; Sobral, M.; Tomás, A.; Pozo-Neira, J.; Coimbra, M.; Ganho-Ávila, A.. "Does motherhood affect cognition? Recent evidence and new perspectives on the mommy brain.". Paper presented in Riseup-PPD Second International Conference Knowledge and implementation gaps in peripartum depression: innovation and future directions, 2023.
    https://doi.org/10.1080/0167482X.2023.2257061
  3. Ganho-Ávila, A.; Guiomar, R.; Sobral, M.; Pacheco, F.; Caparros-Gonzalez, R.A.; Dias-Louzao, C.; Torre-Luque, A.. "The impact of COVID- 19 on breastfeeding rates: results from the Riseup-PPD COVID-19 international cross-sectional study". Paper presented in Riseup-PPD Second International Conference Knowledge and implementation gaps in peripartum depression: innovation and future directions, 2023.
    https://doi.org/10.1080/0167482X.2023.2257061
  4. Sobral, M.; Fonseca, A.; Osório, A.; Ganho-Ávila, A.. "Unveiling perinatal depression: task-based approaches to brain imaging and cognitive assessment.". Paper presented in Riseup-PPD Second International Conference Knowledge and implementation gaps in peripartum depression: innovation and future directions, 2023.
    https://doi.org/10.1080/0167482X.2023.2257061
  5. Sobral, M.; Guiomar, R.; Ganho-Ávila, A.; Schuler, A.L.. "A comprehensive meta-analysis on neural correlates of PPD.". Paper presented in Riseup-PPD Second International Conference Knowledge and implementation gaps in peripartum depression: innovation and future directions, 2023.
    https://doi.org/10.1080/0167482X.2023.2257061.
  6. Sobral, M.; Raquel Guiomar; Vera Martins; Ana Ganho Ávila. "Combining App-based Psychological Intervention with Home-based Transcranial Direct Stimulation for the Treatment of Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms: A Case Series.". Paper presented in 5th European Conference of Brain Stimulation in Psychiatry, Zagreb, 2022.
  7. Raquel Guiomar; Beatriz Catoira; Sobral, M.; Paula Cristina de Oliveira de Castilho Freitas; Chris Baeken; Ana Ganho. "Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation for schizophrenia: a current modelling study". Paper presented in 5th European Conference of Brain Stimulation in Psychiatry, Zagreb, 2022.
Conference poster
  1. Vieira, Yasmin; Freire-Santos, F.; Karacadag, D.; Alvarado, O.; Sobral, M.; Mateus, Vera; Guiomar, R.; et al. "Exploring the effects of combined focused mindfulness meditation and transcranial direct current stimulation: Evidence from neurophysiology and behaviour". Paper presented in 38th ECNP Congress, 2025.
  2. Vieira, Yasmin; Freire-Santos, F.; Karacadag, D.; Alvarado, O.; Sobral, M.; Mateus, Vera; Guiomar, R.; et al. "Exploring the effects of combined focused mindfulness meditation and tDCS: evidence from neurophysiology and behaviour". Paper presented in 38th ECNP Congress, 2025.
  3. Mateus, P.; Carvalho, M.; Sobral, M.; Cruz, Sara; Osório, Ana; Ganho-Ávila, A.; Mateus, Vera. "Exploring the link between maternal sensitivity and touch behaviors and brain response to joint attention contexts in 10-month-old infants". Paper presented in 15th International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience (ICON 2025), 2025.
  4. Mateus, Vera; Sobral, M.; Cruz, Sara; Osório, Ana; Ganho-Ávila, A.. "Changes in brain activation in response to joint attention contexts from 10 to 13 months of age using high-density fNIRS". Paper presented in 15th International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience (ICON 2025), 2025.
  5. Vieira, Yasmin; Uz, I. B.; Sobral, M.; Guiomar, R.; Monteiro, D.; Aleixo, C.; Braga, S.; et al. "Neuropsychophysiological correlates of compassion towards others: A tDCS study". Paper presented in 15th International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience (ICON 2025), 2025.
  6. Matias, M.; Sobral, M.; Ganho-Ávila, A.; Cruz, Sara; Osório, Ana; Mateus, Vera. "Associação entre a duração do olhar de bebés de 10 meses e o processamento neuronal durante interações de atenção partilhada com recurso a fNIRS de alta densidade". Paper presented in XII Simpósio Nacional de Investigação em Psicologia, 2025.
  7. Freire-Santos, F.; Karacadag, D.; Monteiro, D.; Aleixo, C.; Vieira, Y.; Sobral, Mónica; Mateus, Vera; et al. "Better together or one is enough? The synergistic effect of single session of transcranial direct current stimulation and virtual reality-based mindfulness on sustained attention, attention control, and inhibitory control". Paper presented in 3.º Encontro da Sociedade Portuguesa de Neuropsicologia, 2025.
  8. Karacadag, D.; Vieira, Yasmin; Sobral, M.; Mateus, R.; Ganho-Ávila, A.. "Estrutura fatorial e propriedades psicométricas da versão Portuguesa da Toronto Mindfulness Scale". Paper presented in Congresso Internacional de Saúde Mental no Jovem Adulto, 2025.
  9. Vieira, Yasmin; Sobral, M.; Guiomar, R.; Monteiro, D.; Aleixo, C.; Uz, I. B.; Mateus, Vera; Ganho-Ávila, A.. "Protocolo para a aplicação da estimulação transcraniana por corrente contínua (tDCS) no estudo dos correlatos neuropsicofisiológicos e comportamentais da compaixão no adulto jovem". Paper presented in Congresso Internacional de Saúde Mental no Jovem Adulto, 2025.
  10. Vera Mateus; Ana Carolina Santos; Ganho-Ávila, Ana; Sobral, Mónica; Ana Osório; Cruz, Sara. "Systematic review of the neural correlates of joint attention in infants aged 8-24 months". Paper presented in 7th bi-annual ESCAN meeting, European Society for Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 2024.
  11. Guiomar, R.; Mónica Sobral; Manya Rezaeian; Maria Vasileiadi; Sara Cruz; Francisca Pacheco; Vera Mateus; et al. "Multimodal meta-analysis suggests distinct stimulation targets for female depression associated with or without pregnancy.". Paper presented in 6th European Conference on Brain Stimulation in Mental Health, 2024.
  12. Filipa Santos; Dicle Karacadag; Yasmin Vieira; Mónica Sobral; Vera Mateus; Guiomar, R.; Susana Jorge; et al. "The impact of stand-alone and combined brief virtual reality-induced focused mindfulness and tDCS on attention and inhibitory control: study protocol". Paper presented in 6th European Conference on Brain Stimulation in Mental Health, 2024.
  13. Sobral, M.; Guiomar, R; Rezaeian, M.; Vasileiadi, M.; Cruz, S.; Pacheco, F.; Mateus, V.; et al.. "Unravelling MDD brain circuits and clinical subtypes: A comprehensive crossmodal ALE meta-analysis over 395 studies.". Paper presented in The Organization for Human Brain Mapping (OHBM) 2024 Annual Meeting, 2024.
  14. Mateus, Vera; Ana Ganho-Avila; Mónica Sobral; Cruz, Sara; Osório, Ana. "The SocialBabyBrain Study Protocol: Neural Correlates of Joint Attention and its Relation to Social-communicative Abilities". Paper presented in IV International Congress of CINEICC (Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention), 2023.
  15. Raquel Guiomar; Maria Vasileiadi; Mónica Sobral; Manya Rezaeian; Francisca Pacheco; Vera Mateus; Johanna Pozo-Neira; et al. "TMS for peripartum depression: a meta-analytical study to explore a functional DLPFC target". 2023.
    10.1016/j.brs.2023.01.660
  16. Sobral, M.; Fonseca, A.; Osório, A.; Ganho-Ávila, Ana. "Brain changes in pregnancy and the postpartum period, maternal caregiving and peripartum depression: A multimethod longitudinal study protocol". Paper presented in 2nd Riseup-PPD International Conference, 2023.
  17. Sobral, M.; Guiomar, R.; Rezaeian, M.; Pacheco, F.; Vasileiadi, M.; Mateus, Vera; Palau-Costafreda, R.; et al. "Crossmodal ALE comparison between Peripartum Depression and Major Depressive Disorder". Paper presented in The Organization for Human Brain Mapping (OHBM) 2023 Annual Meeting, 2023.
  18. Mateus, V.; Ganho-Ávila, A.; Sobral, M.; Cruz, S.; Osório, A.. "Neural correlates of joint attention in infancy: an fNIRS study protocol". Paper presented in IV International Congress CINEICC, 2023.
  19. Guiomar, R.; Manya Rezaeian; Mónica Sobral; Francisca Pacheco; Vera Mateus; Roser Palau-Costafreda; Johanna Pozo-Neira; et al. "Peripartum depression influences the ACC-dmPFC axis: a meta-analysis". Paper presented in OHBM 2022 Annual Meeting, 2022.
  20. André Silva; Inês Caria-Rodrigues; Andreia Saraiva-Martins; Sobral, M.; Raquel Guiomar; Ana Ganho. "A Single Psychoeducational Session Increases Acceptability Towards Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Treating Anxiety Disorders". Paper presented in 5th European Conference of Brain Stimulation in Psychiatry, 2022.
  21. Raquel Guiomar; Sobral, M.; Ana Ganho; Ana Ganho Ávila. "Transcranial direct current stimulation in the postpartum period: computational modelling of electric field strength in two standard montages for depression". Paper presented in 5th European Conference of Brain Stimulation in Psychiatry, 2022.
  22. Sobral, Mónica; André Silva; Marie-Anne Vanderhasselt; Maria Cristina Canavarro; Ana Ganho-Ávila. "Cognitive enhancement using tDCS in high and low rumination individuals: The role of cognitive profiles and psychological traits". Paper presented in Brainbox Initiative Conference 2020, 2020.
Journal article
  1. Freire-Santos, Filipa; Karacadag, Dicle; Vieira, Yasmin; Sobral, Mónica; Mateus, Vera; Guiomar, Raquel; Ramasawmy, Perianen; Antal, Andrea; Ganho-Ávila, Ana. "The impact of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with virtual reality-based mindfulness on attention and inhibitory control in healthy individuals". International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology 25 4 (2025): 100631. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijchp.2025.100631.
    Published • 10.1016/j.ijchp.2025.100631
  2. Mónica Sobral; Raquel Guiomar; Manya Rezaeian; Maria Vasileiadi; Sara Cruz; Francisca Pacheco; Vera Mateus; et al. "Neural correlates of peripartum depression: a systematic review, meta-analysis and comparison to major depressive disorder". Molecular Psychiatry (2025): https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-025-03227-2.
    10.1038/s41380-025-03227-2
  3. Guiomar, Raquel; Sobral, Monica; Vanden Berghe, Lieze; Brunelin, Jerome; Castilho, Paula; Ganho-Ávila, Ana; Baeken, Chris; Horczak, Paula. "Assessing tDCS efficacy in reducing negative symptoms in schizophrenia spectrum disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis". Brain Stimulation 18 6 (2025): 1794-1806. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2025.09.011.
    Open access • Published • 10.1016/j.brs.2025.09.011
  4. Ganho-Ávila, Ana; Sobral, Mónica; Berg, Mijke Lambregtse-van den. "Transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation in reducing depressive symptoms during the peripartum period". Current Opinion in Psychiatry 37 5 (2024): 337-349. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/yco.0000000000000954.
    10.1097/yco.0000000000000954
  5. Ganho-Ávila, Ana; Guiomar, Raquel; Sobral, M.; Pacheco, Francisca; Caparros-Gonzalez, Rafael A.; Diaz-Louzao, Carla; Motrico, Emma; et al. "The Impact of COVID-19 on Breastfeeding Rates: an international cross-sectional study". Midwifery (2023): 103631. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2023.103631.
    Published • 10.1016/j.midw.2023.103631
  6. Sobral, M.; Guiomar, Raquel; Martins, Vera; Ganho-Ávila, Ana. "Home-based transcranial direct current stimulation in dual active treatments for symptoms of depression and anxiety: A case series". Frontiers in Psychiatry 13 (2022): http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.947435.
    Published • 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.947435
  7. Sobral, Mónica; Pacheco, Francisca; Perry, Beatriz; Antunes, Joana; Martins, Sara; Guiomar, Raquel; Soares, Isabel; et al. "Neurobiological Correlates of Fatherhood During the Postpartum Period: A Scoping Review". Frontiers in Psychology 13 (2022): http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.745767.
    Published • 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.745767
  8. Sobral, Mónica; Morgado, Sara; Moreira, Helena; Guiomar, Raquel; Ganho-Ávila, Ana. "Association between cortical thickness and anxiety measures: A scoping review". Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging 319 (2022): 111423. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pscychresns.2021.111423.
    10.1016/j.pscychresns.2021.111423
  9. Pacheco, Francisca; Sobral, Mónica; Guiomar, Raquel; de la Torre-Luque, Alejandro; Caparros-Gonzalez, Rafael A.; Ganho-Ávila, Ana. "Breastfeeding during COVID-19: A Narrative Review of the Psychological Impact on Mothers". Behavioral Sciences 11 3 (2021): 34. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/bs11030034.
    Published • 10.3390/bs11030034
Preprint
  1. Mónica Sobral; Raquel Guiomar; Manya Rezaeian; Maria Vasileiadi; Sara Cruz; Francisca Pacheco; Vera Mateus; et al. "Neural correlates of peripartum depression: a systematic review, meta-analysis and comparison to major depressive disorder". 2025. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7008488/v1.
    10.21203/rs.3.rs-7008488/v1
Thesis / Dissertation
  1. Sobral, Mónica. "Association Between Cortical Thickness and Anxiety Measures: A Scoping Review". Master, Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação, 2020.
Translation
  1. Canavarro, Maria Cristina; Pereira, Marco Daniel de Almeida; Fonseca, Ana; Melo, Cláudia; Rijo, Daniel; Pedro, Liliana; Cardoso, Catarina; et al. Unified protocol for transdiagnostic treatment of emotional disorders: Workbook (2ª ed.) [Protocolo Unificado para o tratamento transdiagnóstico de Perturbações Emocionais: Manual do doente]. Coimbra, Portugal: Coimbra University Press. 2023.
    Published
  2. Canavarro, Maria Cristina; Pereira, Marco Daniel de Almeida; Fonseca, Ana; Melo, Cláudia; Rijo, Daniel; Pedro, Liliana; Cardoso, Catarina; et al. Unified protocol for transdiagnostic treatment of emotional disorders: Therapist Guide (2ª ed.) [Protocolo Unificado para o tratamento transdiagnóstico de Perturbações Emocionais: Manual do terapeuta]. Coimbra, Portugal: Coimbra University Press. 2023.
    Published
Activities

Oral presentation

Presentation title Event name
Host (Event location)
2025/11 Impacto de sintomas afetivos no funcionamento cognitivo durante a gravidez: Resultados de uma revisão sistemática e estudo longitudinal XIX Congresso Nacional de Psiquiatria (CNP 2025)
(Portugal)
2025/09 Cognitive performance across pregnancy: A longitudinal mixed-model study with never-pregnant comparisons 15th International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience (ICON 2025)
(Porto, Portugal)
2025/08 Association between brain activation and behaviour during joint attention interactions in 10-month-old infants using high-density fNIRS 22nd European Developmental Psychology Conference (ECDP)
(Vilnius, Lithuania)
2023 Unveiling Perinatal Depression: Task-Based Approaches to Brain Imaging and Cognitive Assessment 2nd Riseup-PPD International Conference
(Sofia, Bulgaria)

Association member

Society Organization name Role
2022/02 - Current Ordem dos Psicólogos Portugueses Membro efectivo
2021/02 - Current Portuguese Constructivist Psychotherapies Society Member
Distinctions

Award

2022 Best poster award at the 5th European Conference of Brain Stimulation in Psychiatry (Zagreb, Croatia)
2021 PhD Grant
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal
2020 Merit Board for top the 5% students
Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
2018 3% Best Students Award in the Psychology course
Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal