SZN. 3 Ep. 31/ The Link Between Horror Movies and Emotional Resilience: Can Fear Be Therapeutic?

Oct 19

Alexandria Gohla, MSW, LCSW, Ed.S, C-DBT, RYT-200
Owner/Clinical Therapist

Alexandria Gohla, known as Alex, is a compassionate Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in pregnancy and perinatal mental health. With a focus on supporting adults and adolescents through trauma, anxiety, depression, and maternal mental health challenges, Alex brings a wealth of experience to her practice. She integrates various therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), trauma-informed yoga therapy, and mindfulness practices, to empower her clients and promote healing.

Alex holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Illinois Wesleyan University, a Master of Social Work from Loyola University Chicago, and an Educational Specialist degree in Leadership and Supervision from National Lewis University. She also holds certifications in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (C-DBT) and is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200).

Her practice, Bluebird Counseling Services, reflects her belief in creating a safe, person-centered, and collaborative space for clients. Inspired by Native American legends of the bluebird, symbolizing hope, love, and renewal, Alex fosters an environment of growth and positivity.

In addition to her work as a therapist, Alex enjoys triathlons, yoga, and spending time with her family and dogs. She is also working towards a trauma yoga therapy certification. Alex’s approachable and authentic style makes her a trusted guide for those navigating the complexities of pregnancy and perinatal mental health.

The Link Between Horror Movies and Emotional Resilience: Can Fear Be Therapeutic?

By: Alexandria Gohla, MSW, LCSW, Ed.S

For some of us, Friday night means popcorn, a blanket, and the thrill of a good horror movie. For others, even a peek at a suspenseful trailer can trigger racing hearts and sleepless nights. But what if deliberately scaring yourself could actually build emotional resilience rather than just entertain you?

Why Horror Movies Can Be More Than Entertainment

At first glance, horror films seem purely recreational—a safe way to enjoy fear. But psychologists suggest that intentionally experiencing fear in controlled settings can provide a training ground for managing real-life stressors. The adrenaline spikes, rapid heartbeat, and sweaty palms triggered by a jump scare mirror the body’s natural stress response. By safely navigating these intense emotions on screen, viewers can practice coping mechanisms, such as grounding, controlled breathing, or cognitive reframing.

Fear as a Teacher

From a somatic perspective, fear is not just a mental experience—it’s a bodily one. Your nervous system reacts instantly to perceived danger: muscles tense, breath quickens, and your heart races. Somatic therapy teaches us to tune into these physical sensations rather than suppress them. By noticing where tension builds or how your body reacts, you can learn valuable skills:

Awareness: Recognizing your body’s stress signals before they escalate.
Regulation: Using breath, movement, or grounding techniques to calm your nervous system.
Processing: Understanding emotional triggers and why certain situations provoke fear or anxiety.

Watching horror movies can function as a low-stakes rehearsal. You experience fear, notice your bodily reactions, and practice returning to a calm state. Over time, this can translate to greater emotional flexibility and resilience in real-life stressful situations.

When Horror Movies Cross the Line

Of course, deliberately seeking fear isn’t universally beneficial. For some, horror media can reinforce anxiety, trigger trauma responses, or lead to avoidance behaviors. It becomes maladaptive when:

You feel paralyzed or anxious long after watching.
You use horror as a way to avoid processing underlying emotions.
Sleep, relationships, or daily functioning are negatively impacted.

The key is intentionality and self-awareness. Watching a scary movie mindlessly to distract yourself from unresolved stress is very different from engaging with fear as a conscious, reflective exercise.

Practical Ways to Harness Horror for Growth

Notice your body: Pay attention to tension in your shoulders, jaw, or stomach. Recognize rapid breathing or heart rate spikes.
Practice grounding: During suspenseful moments, try slow, deliberate breathing or pressing your feet into the floor.
Reflect afterward: Journal about your reactions. What scenes triggered intense fear? How did your body respond?
Apply skills in real life: Notice how your nervous system responds in daily stressors. Use the grounding and regulation techniques you practiced during the movie.

5 Somatic Exercises Inspired by Horror Movies

Jump-Scare Grounding: When a jump scare happens, press your feet firmly into the floor, feel the weight of your body, and take three slow, deep breaths to calm your nervous system.
Heartbeat Awareness: During suspenseful scenes, place a hand over your heart. Notice how fast it’s beating and consciously slow your breath to match a calm rhythm.
Shoulder and Jaw Release: Fear often tenses your upper body. Pause the movie, roll your shoulders, unclench your jaw, and notice the tension melting.
Body Scan Post-Scene: After a scary scene, quickly scan your body from head to toe. Identify areas of lingering tension and breathe into them to release stored stress.
Controlled Exposure Practice: Pick a mildly scary clip and watch it with full awareness. Note physical reactions, practice grounding, and gradually increase exposure to stronger scenes as a way to strengthen emotional tolerance.

Horror movies may seem frivolous, but they offer a unique lens into our nervous system and emotional resilience. By paying attention to how fear manifests in the body and learning to navigate it safely, we can train ourselves to face real-life stressors with greater calm and awareness.

So next time you curl up for a thriller, remember: it’s not just a movie—it’s a workout for your nervous system, an opportunity for emotional growth, and a reminder that fear, when faced intentionally, can be surprisingly empowering.