Integrating 'Inside Out' into Therapy: Insights from William James College Faculty

This summer’s box-office hit, “Inside Out 2” hit close to home for parents and children, specifically tweens and teens dealing with anxiety. In mid-August, the New York Times published an article titled “How ‘Inside Out’ and Its Sequel Changed Therapy.” The article noted how the caricature of emotions from the movies (1 and 2) introduced a new, more accessible way, of discussing emotions and feelings. While it wasn’t the initial intention of the filmmakers, it was a positive outcome that added a new therapeutic tool for working with children, teenagers, and even adults.

We asked our faculty how they are incorporating these concepts into both their teaching and their professional work in the community. Their roles as practitioner faculty allow them to bring real-world cases and cutting-edge concepts, like those highlighted in the article, directly into the classroom, enriching the learning experience for our students.

Dr. Julie Ryan is an Associate Professor and Director of the Children and Families of Adversity and Resilience concentration at William James College and has a small private practice working with youth dealing with anxiety, depression and various difficulties in regulating emotions. She shared, “I’ve been using "Inside Out 2" with my tweens, teens and young adults specifically because the sequel introduces some secondary emotions that are more complex to understand. In addition, it has been a useful tool in highlighting the way anxiety behaves in the movie as an example of how being pulled into an emotionally-minded state can lead to us not behaving in line with our values. There are so many great scenes from both movies that are helpful for kids (as well as adults) to understand how emotions work. I think our graduate students can really benefit from watching a movie like this, since it can be an accessible tool for helping us communicate emotion concepts to young clients, as well as a way for kids to feel like their emotions make sense.”

An important component of child mental health is communication with parents and caregivers. Dr. Shani Turner, Assistant Professor and Director of the African and Caribbean Mental Health concentration at William James College, runs a nonprofit called Strength in Families that focuses on supporting parents in their relationships with their children. She shares, “Healthy communication between parents and children is key to improved mental health outcomes. In my work with children and families, I draw on concepts from the “Inside Out” movies to help children and adolescents name who is running the “control panel” in their minds (anxiety, fear, joy, sadness, anger, etc). This is so important for children, but much more important is that we as parents understand the modeling for these emotions starts with us. We are a critical part of how our children are able to manage their emotions.”

Dr. Heather MacPherson, Assistant Professor and Co-Director of the Youth and Family Psychotherapy Services at William James College, a mental health practice for children and families, shared that many of her clients are talking about the movie in their sessions to describe how they are feeling.

Katie Thomas, Assistant Director of Field Education in the Counseling and Behavioral Health Department, and Dr. Matthew Carper, Assistant Professor and Associate Director of the Center for Psychological Science, both shared that they regularly use “Inside Out” as a way to talk about emotions with kids. While they haven’t seen the sequel yet, it’s on their to do list.

The impact of the "Inside Out" films on mental health practices, particularly for children and adolescents, has been noteworthy. By providing a creative and accessible way to visualize and discuss emotions, these movies have become an unexpected and valuable resource in both therapeutic settings. As highlighted by our faculty at William James College, incorporating these concepts into their work with young clients has not only enhanced their practice but also deepened the connection between emotions and mental health in a way that resonates with all ages.

• Tags:
• Around Campus