Journal:Tiltai
Volume 96, Issue 1 (2026), pp. 108–124
Abstract
The article aims to analyse dolphin-assisted therapy as a form of sensory integration through the experiences of parents raising children with mental and behavioural disorders. These experiences were collected one month after the dolphin-assisted therapy in which their child participated. In recent years, attention to therapeutic human-animal interaction and the diversity of methods for children with mental and behavioural disorders has been increasing in Lithuania. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is increasingly applied as a complementary method of physical, psychological and social rehabilitation, during which animals are involved for therapeutic purposes. One of the most extensively studied forms of AAT is dolphin-assisted therapy (DAT). Although dolphin-assisted therapy is increasingly used as a complementary health-promoting method for children with various developmental, emotional and psychosocial disorders, qualitative scientific research has revealed parents’ subjective experiences, indicating that dolphin therapy has a positive effect on the sensory functioning of participating children with mental and behavioural disorders. Nevertheless, dolphin therapy as a method of sensory integration remains insufficiently analysed. Scientific research into parents’ perspectives is highly important in the field of dolphin therapy research, and provides opportunities for a wide range of future studies.
Journal:Tiltai
Volume 94, Issue 1 (2025), pp. 173–195
Abstract
In the article, a qualitative study aims to reveal the possibilities for applying mediation as a method to empower clients in making decisions in conflict situations in social work. Mediation initially emerged in Lithuanian society in the judicial sphere, but entirely new opportunities have begun to take shape in social work. The analysis of the participants’ reflective experiences reveals that social mediation is gradually becoming a competence or specialisation for social workers. Active listening to the client, their involvement in the mediation process, where equality and openness between the conflicting parties prevail, opens up opportunities for the client’s personal transformation process, aimed at empowering them to take responsibility for the process, seek solutions, and adhere to them. The analysis shows that mediation influences clients’ empowerment to make decisions in conflict situations in social work, and enables them to act in real life as well.