Disney Mental Health Series: Inside Out 2 and Inner Harmony

But every bit of Riley makes her who she is, and we love all of our girl. Every messy, beautiful piece of her.

-Joy

Inside Out 2 is a beautiful and accessible illustration of mental health concepts that might otherwise feel complex or elusive. From discovering the power of self-compassion to understanding the dynamics of our inner parts, this sequel shows us that working with and understanding our inner world is the key to cultivating harmony and self-worth. As a therapist, I wanted to highlight some of the major themes and lessons from the movie to help you recognize these opportunities for healing in your own life. 

1. Self-compassion

Dr. Kristin Neff, a self-compassion expert, was listed in the credits as an advisor, and her influence is evident throughout the movie. Self-compassion isn’t just about loving the parts of us that are kind and caring—it’s about embracing the parts that are messy, chaotic, or even feel unworthy of love. True self-compassion lies in accepting our full selves as the beautifully complex, contradictory, and sometimes messy beings we are. Inside Out 2 reminds us to love and hug our whole selves, embracing our flaws and uniqueness as essential parts of our humanity. 

2. Beliefs rooted in memories

Memories shape our beliefs. We see this illustrated in Riley’s “Belief System,” a system in which memories are planted and the beliefs grow out of them, informing Riley’s sense of self. In our own life, beliefs are often held by specific parts of us and are rooted in particular memories. Sometimes, these memories—and the beliefs tied to them—are frozen in time and reflect truths that were valid only at a certain point in our past. Healing often involves updating these parts and allowing them to see us as we are now, freeing us from outdated beliefs. 

3. Complexity of parts 

While the characters are named after emotions, we really see in this sequel that they are each complex characters, each with their own range of thoughts and feelings. Each part is a multifaceted character with its own range of thoughts and feelings. For example, Joy experiences anger, sadness, and overwhelm, while Anger shows calm and compassion. Similarly, our own inner parts are nuanced and can change their perspectives once we get to know them better. 

4. Positive intent of parts

Our inner family of parts is always working to help and protect us, especially when they sense a threat. Throughout the movie, we see Riley’s parts trying to guide her through challenges. For instance, Joy activates the “Riley Protection System” to push certain memories out of focus, while Anxiety devises an elaborate plan to protect her from rejection by making the Firehawks hockey team. Even when these protective strategies have unhelpful outcomes, their underlying intent is positive. 

5. Navigating inner conflict 

We all experience inner conflict. In terms of our inner world, this happens when two parts have opposing ideas about what’s best for us. For example, Joy and Anxiety often pull in different directions, leading to tension within Riley’s system. This inner conflict can escalate as other parts take sides. To restore harmony, it’s essential to listen to each part with compassion, understand their intentions, and find common ground. Often, parts share similar goals but need help working together as a team. 

6. Taking care of overworked parts

Parts that work overtime to protect us are often struggling in their own way—whether they dislike their role or feel overwhelmed by pressure. These hardworking parts, like Anxiety in the movie, often need our care the most. In Inside Out 2, Anxiety becomes increasingly overburdened until she has a panic attack. The other parts lovingly support her, guiding her to relax in a massage chair and drink her “Anxie-tea,” which helps restore balance in Riley’s system. 

At its core, Inside Out 2 is a message of self-love. It shows us that true self-love comes from embracing the messy and complicated parts of ourselves rather than forcing ourselves to conform to external expectations. When we treat our inner parts with compassion and understanding, we create space for all of them to work together. We discover that there’s room for everyone.