Dance Therapy Workshops
by Norma Canner & Penny Lewis
With Anne Brownell’s articulate narration, the viewer is given an intimate look at the work of two pioneers in expressive arts therapy – Norma Canner and Penny Lewis. 
After Anne recounts her personal therapy and training with Norma, we see a film of a multi-day workshop. Moving smoothly from bodily explorations with instruments, to movement, to art and then to improvisations, this experienced leader’s style is evident, as she helps individuals to explore and reveal themselves in creative and emotionally safe ways.

The second workshop was conducted by Penny Lewis, who tragically died shortly thereafter. Penny begins by suggesting that participants think about “what gets in the way” of emotional progress as they try to reach – and release – the aspirations of “the child within.” Penny begins with an art experience designed to illustrate defenses/resistances to growth. One participant’s art construction is then enacted by other group members, in an almost psychodramatic way, illustrating Penny’s way of melding arts modalities.

Both workshops were sensitively filmed by Anne’s filmmaker son, Ian Brownell. In her comments about the events, Anne Brownell noted two vital and important ethical issues that merit further discussion: “dual relationships”; and the clinical judgment needed when including individuals with fragile self-boundaries in group activities that might stimulate regression.
In Depth
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After Anne recounts her personal therapy and training with Norma, we see a film of a multi-day workshop. Moving smoothly from bodily explorations with instruments, to movement, to art and then to improvisations, this experienced leader’s style is evident, as she helps individuals to explore and reveal themselves in creative and emotionally safe ways.

The second workshop was conducted by Penny Lewis, who tragically died shortly thereafter. Penny begins by suggesting that participants think about “what gets in the way” of emotional progress as they try to reach – and release – the aspirations of “the child within.” Penny begins with an art experience designed to illustrate defenses/resistances to growth. One participant’s art construction is then enacted by other group members, in an almost psychodramatic way, illustrating Penny’s way of melding arts modalities.

Both workshops were sensitively filmed by Anne’s filmmaker son, Ian Brownell. In her comments about the events, Anne Brownell noted two vital and important ethical issues that merit further discussion: “dual relationships”; and the clinical judgment needed when including individuals with fragile self-boundaries in group activities that might stimulate regression.

This video was formerly included in the Expressive Media Arts Therapies Films Collection distributed by Expressive Media Inc.  

Length of video: 1:47:27

English subtitles available

Group ISBN-10 #: 1-60124-636-6

Group ISBN-13 #: 978-1-60124-636-3



Norma Canner was compensated for his/her/their contribution. None of his/her/their books or additional offerings are required for any of the Psychotherapy.net content. Should such materials be references, it is as an additional resource.

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Additionally, there is no commercial support for this activity. None of the planners or any employee at Psychotherapy.net who has worked on this educational activity has relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose with ineligible companies.

Penny Lewis was compensated for his/her/their contribution. None of his/her/their books or additional offerings are required for any of the Psychotherapy.net content. Should such materials be references, it is as an additional resource.

Psychotherapy.net defines ineligible companies as those whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. There is no minimum financial threshold; individuals must disclose all financial relationships, regardless of the amount, with ineligible companies. We ask that all contributors disclose any and all financial relationships they have with any ineligible companies whether the individual views them as relevant to the education or not.

Additionally, there is no commercial support for this activity. None of the planners or any employee at Psychotherapy.net who has worked on this educational activity has relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose with ineligible companies.
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