A Therapist’s Thoughts on “Inside Out 2”

As a therapist, I often find myself drawn to shows and movies that explore the complexities of human emotions and mental health. A film that has always resonated with me was Pixar's "Inside Out," a heartwarming tale that delves into the inner workings of a young girl's mind through her emotions. Due to this, I was both excited and intrigued when I learned of a sequel to “Inside Out” that would bring out more complex emotions, but I would be lying if I did not say that I was nervous about how they would pull it off.

I was told by a client that I “needed” to see this movie. The client explained that she was able to viscerally understand what people who experience anxiety go through and left with deeper empathy for those around her. I booked my tickets to the movie the next day. I went with an open mind but also knowing how this movie would impact me due to my role as a therapist. The movie shed such a great light on the internal struggles that so many go through. It skillfully depicts the impact of anxiety on decision-making processes and the challenges it poses in everyday life.

In personifying Anxiety, I believe that the movie allows us to empathize with those who experience this emotion, fostering a greater level of understanding and compassion. It is important to understand that anxiety is a natural human emotion that serves as a warning signal in dangerous or stressful situations. However, for some individuals, this normal response can become overwhelming and lead to constant worry and fear that interferes with their daily lives.

I appreciate the movie’s ability to dive deeper into the idea of mental health and how important it is to prioritize self-care and emotional well-being while not glamorizing anxiety and other complex emotions. As a therapist, I know how crucial it is for individuals to recognize and address their emotions in a healthy way, rather than suppress or ignore them. While having a panic attack, Riley implemented many tools such as grounding techniques and deep breathing to overcome the moment. As the viewer, we could experience full process of what she was going through.

There is a quote by Joy at the end of the movie that says “You don't get to choose who Riley is. Anxiety, you need to let her go.” This was so powerful. As therapists we work hard to externalize the anxiety and help clients to recognize that anxiety is not their identity, but something they are experiencing. We need to focus on what we have control over and work to not let those spirals of emotions take control of us. In this scene anxiety recognizes that she is doing more harm than good and the emotions begin to work together. The importance of emotional intelligence and the idea that all emotions, even the negative ones, serve a purpose in our lives was evident in the movie.

Personally, having two young daughters of my own, I am thankful for this movie for showing a realistic dichotomy between wanting to be liked and fit in while also trying to stay true to who you are. I am looking forward to showing this movie to my daughters as they grow into early adolescence as a way to introduce the challenges that emotions can bring while learning to use internal resources to navigate the world and find joy.