Understanding Teen Emotions Through Inside Out 2: How Teen Therapy Can Help

Amy Galpin, LPC-S

Jul 9, 20244 min read

The image shows a scene from the Disney Pixar movie “Inside Out.” It features several characters representing different emotions inside the control center of a young girl’s mind. From left to right, the characters are Anger (red with a fiery head), Fear (purple and skinny), Joy (yellow with blue hair), Sadness (blue and wearing glasses), Disgust (green and looking skeptical), a new orange character with wild orange hair, and Bing Bong (a large, pink, fuzzy character) standing next to the control console, looking concerned. The background is colorful and futuristic, with various glowing orbs representing memories.

The new Disney Pixar movie, Inside Out 2, is a great way to understand the different emotions teenagers experience. Just like in the first movie, Inside Out 2 shows us what happens inside the mind of a teenager. This time, the emotions get even more complex, just like real life. Let’s explore these emotions and see how teen therapy can help teens handle them in a healthy way.

The Different Emotions in Inside Out 2

Inside Out 2 introduces new emotions that teenagers often feel. Here are some of them:

1. Joy: Even though growing up can be tough, there are still moments of happiness and excitement.

2. Sadness: Sometimes, teens feel sad without knowing why. It’s okay to feel sad; it’s a normal emotion.

3. Anger: As teens go through changes, they might feel angry more often. It’s important to find healthy ways to express this anger.

4. Fear: New experiences and changes can make teens feel scared. Fear helps them be careful, but too much fear can be overwhelming.

5. Disgust: Teens start to form their own opinions about what they like and dislike, which can cause feelings of disgust.

6. Anxiety: This is a feeling of worry or nervousness, often about things that might happen. It can make teens feel restless or unable to concentrate.

7. Envy: When teens compare themselves to others and feel like they don’t measure up, they might feel envy. This emotion can make them feel unhappy with what they have.

8. Embarrassment: Teens often feel embarrassed when they think others are judging them. This can happen during social interactions or when they make mistakes.

9. Ennui: This is a feeling of boredom and dissatisfaction, where nothing seems interesting or exciting. It can make teens feel uninterested in activities they used to enjoy.

Inside Out 2 shows how these emotions can get mixed up and how they influence a teenager’s behavior. Understanding these emotions is the first step in managing them.

Two teenage girls lying on the grass with their heads close together, both laughing joyfully. They have long, wavy hair spread out around them, and their expressions are full of happiness and carefree fun. One girl is wearing a light blue shirt, and the other is in a red shirt. The image captures a moment of pure laughter and friendship.

How Teen Therapy Can Help

Teen therapy is a safe space where teens can talk about their feelings and learn how to deal with them. Here’s how it can help:

1. Understanding Emotions: Therapy helps teens understand why they feel the way they do. Just like in Inside Out 2, emotions are normal and everyone has them. A therapist can help teens identify and understand their emotions.

2. Healthy Expression: Instead of bottling up emotions or expressing them in harmful ways, therapy teaches teens how to express their feelings healthily. This can include talking, writing, or even drawing.

3. Coping Strategies: Therapists teach teens coping strategies to handle difficult emotions. For example, deep breathing can help calm anger, and positive thinking can reduce fear.

4. Building Resilience: Therapy helps teens build resilience, which is the ability to bounce back from tough times. By working through their emotions, teens become stronger and more confident.

5. Improved Relationships: Understanding and managing emotions can improve relationships with family and friends. When teens know how to communicate their feelings, it leads to better understanding and less conflict.

Conclusion

Inside Out 2 is a fun and insightful way to look at teenage emotions. It reminds us that feeling a range of emotions is normal. Teen therapy takes it a step further by providing the tools and support needed to handle these emotions in a healthy way. If your teen is struggling with their emotions, consider reaching out to a therapist. Just like the characters in Inside Out 2, they can learn to navigate their feelings and grow into happy, healthy adults.

Start Your Therapy Journey at the Neurodiversity Center of Katy

A man and a woman are standing side by side, smiling at the camera. The man is tall, wearing a blue suit with a white shirt and white sneakers. The woman is shorter, wearing a sleeveless black dress and gold high-heeled sandals. They are standing in front of a white dresser with a lamp, books, and a small statue on it, in a modern and minimalist room.

Are you ready to explore your teen’s mind and unlock their incredible potential? At the Neurodiversity Center of Katy, we’re thrilled to partner with you on this transformative journey. Together, we will explore, learn, and celebrate their achievements at every stage. We believe in the power of neurodiversity and the limitless possibilities within each person. Our mission is to help your teen recognize the exceptional individual they are. So, are you prepared to begin? Let’s embark on this journey together and discover the wonders of their unique identity!

To start your journey at the Neurodiversity Center of Katy, follow these simple steps:

1. Contact Our Office: Arrange a free consultation or therapy session.

2. Meet Our Therapists: Connect with one of our skilled therapists who specialize in supporting neurodivergent teens.

3. Learn and Grow: Discover strategies to leverage your teen’s unique traits and help them excel in all areas of life and relationships.

Therapy Services Available at The Neurodiversity Center of Katy

At the Neurodiversity Center of Katy, we offer a variety of services tailored for everyone. Our offerings encompass:

Our dedicated team is eager to share their knowledge and insights on neurodiversity. For more information, please follow our blog or reach out to our office.

About The Author

A woman is sitting on a black stool against a plain white background. She has shoulder-length brown hair and is smiling at the camera. She is wearing an off-the-shoulder white blouse with lace details, blue jeans, and green high-heeled shoes with a bow. She is also wearing large hoop earrings and a long silver necklace.

I'm Amy, the founder and lead therapist at the Neurodiversity Center of Katy. With more than two decades of experience, I specialize in supporting teens and their families. My expertise includes assisting teenagers facing challenges with behavior or mood regulation, Autism, depression, low self-esteem, social or relationship problems, anxiety, ADHD, experiences of sexual or physical abuse, and adapting to life changes.

My clients say that I am positive, easy to work with, and very knowledgeable. I have a unique gift connecting with clients. I go above and beyond making sure they feel comfortable just being themselves.

Feel free to contact me and let me know how I can help you on your journey.