Alpha therapy is a holistic dolphin therapy in which the stimulating effects of dolphins are used therapeutically with the help of scientifically founded methods. In a very broad field of application for mild to severe disabilities as well as mental illness, sustainable improvements and developmental progress can be achieved with this short-term intensive therapy. As a family therapy, Alpha Therapy can lead to the strengthening of resources and a new orientation in constructive cooperation. It can therefore also make a positive contribution to the personal development of individuals and intra-family communication where there is no disability or illness.
Alpha therapy, the dolphin therapy programme at the DOLPHINSWIM Institute
How does dolphin therapy work?
Dolphin therapy is an animal-assisted form of therapy that has been used for more than 20 years. At the centre of this form of treatment is the therapeutically accompanied dolphin interaction, which - generally speaking - has a stimulating-harmonising and thus stabilising effect on the human organism and thus favours personal development processes. Already in ancient times, dolphins fascinated people and were considered friends or even worshipped as deities at that time. Although people's interest in dolphins has a long history, it was only by John Lilly in the years around 1950 that the effects of dolphins on the human psyche were discovered and became the subject of research.
At that time, it turned out that dolphin contact increases sensitivity, attention and self-awareness. More recent research shows that dolphins help to perceive basic fears and can significantly reduce them. As was shown in a scientific paper by Ryan de Mares (2000), the effect of dolphin encounters occurs very strongly on the emotional level: "To be completely connected with another being as well as with oneself is the underlying desire of the dolphin encounter. The feelings that arise - intention, eye contact, connectedness, aliveness and harmony - put people in a moment of truthfulness or give them a reference point by which they can measure their personal state of development. This mental state is also known as "flow", where a person focuses all their senses in total surrender to an activity. This is not only an ideal learning state, it is also the state that Sigmund Freud called "equal attention". The psyche is able to release and overcome fears and blockages that lie dormant in the subconscious. Research has shown that in many cases dolphin therapy actually reduced fears and significantly increased self-confidence and motivation to live.
The attitude towards limitations caused by one's own disability or that of a relative can become more constructive through the experience with the dolphins. This means that the dolphin therapy not only has a positive effect on the functionality, but above all strengthens the resources to better cope with one's own life situation. In the case of disabilities that can hardly be changed, the dolphin therapy plays the role of strengthening the joy of life and creating an orientation and outlook for the future, i.e. a "meaningful life" as defined by Viktor E. Frankl. Looking at this in Frankl's "body-psyche-mind" model, this reorientation also leads to a positive contribution to the maintenance of physical health. In this way, dolphin therapy does justice to the holistic approach, the aim of which is to strengthen both body and psyche and to promote a spiritual development of the individual person.
DOLPHINSWIM Delphintherapiezentrum in Kemer-Antalya, Türkei
Unser Delphinarium in Kemer nahe Antalya in der Türkei, zeichnet sich durch eine großzügige Beckenanlage (sie übertrifft geltende EU-Normen) und barrierefreie Architektur aus. Das gesamte Therapie- und Coachingprogramm mit Delphinen findet direkt in den Räumlichkeiten des Delphinariums, als auch im Aquapark am Gelände statt. Unsere Therapieinfrastruktur besteht aus 2 Delphinpools mit 6 ausgebildeten Delphinen, 2 modern ausgestatteten Therapieräumen und der multisensorischen Alpha-Sphäre. In unmittelbarer Nachbarschaft zum Therapiezentrum befinden sich eine große Auswahl von preisgünstigsten Pensionen, Ferienappartements, all-inklusive 5 Stern Hotels bis hin zu 6-Stern Luxushotels.
Optimale Erreichbarkeit – nur 60 min. vom Flughafen Antalya entfernt, Direktflüge aus fast allen europäischen Destinationen, angenehmes Klima mit Badewetter von April bis Dezember und ein herausragenden Preis-Leistungsverhältnis machen Antalya zu einer der besten und beliebtesten Urlaubsdestinationen Europas.
Kemer-Antalya die Perle des Mittelmeers
Die Türkei ist mit mehr als 28 Millionen Gästen im Jahr eines der beliebtesten Reiseziele am Mittelmeer. Das Land zwischen Europa und Asien lockt mit wunderschönen Stränden und hohen Bergen, tausenden antiken Stätten, herzlicher Gastfreundschaft und einem einzigartigen Preis-Leistungs-Verhältnis. Vor allem die Region Antalya ist als Türkische Riviera gleichermaßen bekannt und beliebt, die nicht nur 
im Sommer tolle Urlaubsmöglichkeiten an schier endlosen Sandstränden bietet. The city was first mentioned in the 2nd century BC as Attalia, a foundation of King Attalos II of Pergamon. Later, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks and finally the Ottomans left their mark on the province. Numerous historical buildings bear witness to this, such as the Hadrain Gate from the 2nd century, the Tekeli Mehmet Pasha Mosque from the 16th century, the grooved minaret of the Yivli Minareli Mosque from the 13th century, the Hidrilik Tower at the marina or the old harbour from where you can take boat trips to the surrounding area.
The grandiose nature of the surrounding area, which opens up a whole range of great excursion possibilities, ensures that your holiday is entertaining. Very attractive are the Kursunlu waterfalls and Lake Nilüfer in the north of Antalya, the Güllük Dagi National Park in the northwest with the ancient city of Termessos, picturesquely situated on a high plateau at an altitude of 1000 metres, and the Güver Gorge, often called the Grand Canyon of the Turkish Riviera.
Our programme
Alpha therapy is a holistic dolphin therapy programme in which the stimulating effects of dolphins are harnessed in a holistic concept to initiate development on a cognitive, psychological, motor and social level.
In an individually tailored therapy combination, not only new things are learned, but also "blockages" are released. Essential components of the accompanying treatment concept are, in addition to dolphin therapy, singing bowl treatments, manual applications and neuromuscular vibration training with the Galileo device. Complementary therapy and relaxation units in our Alpha-Sphere not only serve to relax and harmonise the therapy participants, but are also open to parents.
For whom is dolphin therapy suitable?
Our dolphin therapy is aimed at all people who want to develop their potential. We treat people of all ages with a wide variety of disabilities and/or psychological impairments. As a family therapy, alpha therapy can lead to the strengthening of resources and a new orientation in constructive togetherness. But it can also offer a positive contribution to life orientation where there is no impairment or illness.
In an individually tailored therapy combination, not only new things are learned, but also "blockages" are released. Essential components of the accompanying treatment concept are, in addition to dolphin therapy, singing bowl treatments, manual applications and neuromuscular vibration training with the Galileo device. Complementary therapy and relaxation units in our Alpha-Sphere not only serve to relax and harmonise the therapy participants, but are also open to parents.
We have already successfully treated the following diseases and forms of disability:
Services, prices and registration
Services per therapy day
- 30 min. dolphin therapy (parents and siblings can be included if desired)
- 30 min. individual support in the therapy room, Alpha-Sphere, Galileo or Aquapark
- Talks with parents according to individual wishes
- Sessions in the Alpha Sphere for relatives
- Coffee and tea
- Dolphinswim T-Shirt
- Admission to the dolphin show
Dates
Wir haben das ganze Jahr über geöffnet. Die Monate April-November sind klimatisch am besten geeignet. Gerne erstellen wir für Sie ein individuelles Therapieprogramm je nach Therapiebedarf und Budget. Es werden für eine Delfintherapie mindestens 5 Therapietage empfohlen.
Prices
We are open all year round. Our standard packages include the 1-day trial therapy and packages of 5,6,10,11 and 12 days.
Additional swims for accompanying persons with the dolphins or one-hour dolphin therapy sessions can also be booked over and above the standard package. Prices on request.
Travel packages and additional services
Profitieren Sie von unseren Reisebüroleistungen und buchen Sie Therapie und Reisepaket bequem aus einer Hand. Es stehen eine grosse Anzahl von preisgünstigen 3-5 Stern Hotels oder kostengünstige Ferienwohnungen in der Nähe des Therapiezentrums zur Verfügung. Gerne beraten wir Sie auf ein passendes Reisearrangement.
- Auf Wunsch organisieren wir für Sie eine 12 Stunden Pflegebetreuung für den Zeitraum Ihres Aufenthaltes in Antalya. Preis auf Anfrage.
- Gerne können wir in Antalya auch Transfers im Krankenwagen mit Pfleger vom Flughafen zum Hotel, als auch täglich zum Delphinarium für Sie bereitstellen. Preis auf Anfrage.
Registration
Simply send us your enquiry using the contact form or get in touch with us by phone. We will be happy to advise you and send you our brochure free of charge. Once your child's suitability for therapy and the availability of your desired date for therapy and travel arrangements have been clarified, the booking can be made. To do this, use the online booking form. You will receive confirmation of registration and an invoice from us. With the down payment of 20% of the travel and therapy price (will be deducted from the total price), your therapy place is firmly reserved.