CATHARTIC WELLNESS
INT ERVI EW
Why scream therapy is making a comeback
As a new generation insists on being heard, California-based somatic coach Sarah Lane explains how primal scream therapy is part of a broader reckoning with how we express our emotions
What is scream therapy? It started in the 1960s when Dr Arthur Janov devised primal scream therapy, essentially a release valve to express layers of anger and grief. Many people, especially women, struggle to use their voice to advocate for themselves, so it’s a way to express pain and release energy.
What does a typical session involve? We don’t go straight to screaming — there’s an arc to the session. The first 20 minutes focus on signalling safety to the body, getting into a deep, calming meditative state. I then invite movement with loud, intense music. At peak rage — lasting no more than five to 10 minutes to protect vocal chords — there are pillows to punch and people scream, howl, grunt and stomp. We then bring the nervous system back down and connect in a circle to reflect on what our rage has taught us.
Why is scream therapy re-emerging now? One look at the news is enough to leave many of us feeling angry and agitated. Wars and conflicts can create a sense of powerlessness. Scream therapy helps people connect with that anger and transform it into something constructive, which might look like starting a business supporting women experiencing domestic violence or finally setting boundaries within a family. It’s certainly becoming more mainstream. My
Did you know? Screaming triggers endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, which soothe the nervous system
28
NATIONALGEOGRAPHIC.COM/TRAVEL
rage retreats sell out, scream clubs are popular social meetups and rage rituals have even been on daytime TV. But it’s still sometimes considered strange. I was reminded of this during a retreat I hosted in a suburban neighbourhood. There were 23 women screaming in the garden and a neighbour called the police. Once we explained, they just chuckled and went on their way.
Are certain places better suited to vocal release? Definitely! Forests are very grounding, surrounded by rooted trees. In California and Hawai‘i, the warm climate itself helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, easing stress.
Volcanic landscapes also carry a powerful
metaphor: volcanoes embody the Earth’s anger — energy rising from the core, just as suppressed human emotions can erupt. In Hawaiian mythology, the goddess Pele created the islands, so when I host retreats in Hawai‘i, we approach this work with offerings to her. It’s a potent place in which to honour our own power and rage.
Where can people find scream therapy? There’s a self-identifying witch called Mia Magik, who hosts rage rituals in places like Scotland, Ireland, France and California. Like my own retreats, they often involve women beating the ground with sticks and hollering as a release. Scream clubs are also popular, letting people scream together in public spaces like parks and beaches. The trend began with Scream Club Chicago and has since spread to cities such as Austin and London.
Is there a connection between scream therapy and rage rooms? They’re similar in that both allow people to safely express intense emotion, which can feel deeply empowering — especially for those stuck in patterns of people-pleasing. The difference is intention and outcome. Rage rooms offer a quick release, while scream therapy focuses on lasting change. Rather than simply venting, scream therapy is more about listening to what that anger communicates, then setting boundaries, gaining insight and finding resolution.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132
