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 Dolphin Therapy Center in Kemer, Turkey
The Kemer Dolphinarium near Antalya in Turkey is characterized by a spacious pool complex with 2 pools (it exceeds current EU standards) and barrier-free architecture. There are currently 3 therapy dolphins living here. We have a modern therapy room with our multi-sensory alpha-sphere. There is a large selection of hotels, guesthouses and vacation apartments in all price categories in the immediate vicinity of the therapy center. Kemer is 1 hour away from Antalya International Airport, which is served by direct flights from numerous European cities.
Kemer-Antalya the pearl of the Mediterranean Sea
With more than 28 million visitors a year, Turkey is one of the most popular travel destinations for Europeans. The Antalya region in particular is known and loved as the Turkish Riviera, which is not only 
offers great vacation opportunities on endless sandy beaches in summer.
Kemer, one of the oldest and most beautiful vacation resorts in the Antalya region, impresses with its picturesque coastline, turquoise blue sea and surrounding mountains. The town offers a mix of relaxation and activities such as water sports, hiking and boat trips with a swimming season from April to November. With its luxurious resorts, countless restaurants and shopping opportunities, Kemer is an ideal place for sun worshippers and nature lovers alike.
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. Dolphin therapy is particularly effective for autism, cerebral palsy, anxiety disorders, developmental delays and burnout.
We have already successfully treated the following diseases and disabilities:
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.
- 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
We are open all year round. The months of April-November are climatically the most suitable. We will be happy to create an individual therapy program for you depending on your therapy needs and budget. Any number of therapy days can be booked, for a dolphin therapy at least 5 therapy days are recommended.
Prices
Additional swims for accompanying persons or one-hour dolphin therapy sessions can be booked. We will be happy to make you an offer!
Travel packages and additional services
Benefit from our travel agency services and book therapy and travel package conveniently from one source. There are a large number of reasonably priced 3-5 star hotels or inexpensive vacation apartments available in the vicinity of the therapy center. We will be happy to advise you on a suitable travel arrangement.
- If you wish, we can organize 12 hours nursing care for the period of your stay in Antalya. Price on request.
- In Antalya we can also provide transfers in an ambulance with a nurse from the airport to the hotel, as well as daily to the dolphinarium for you. Price on request.
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.