Our cultural values, ethnic and religious background, and transgenerational aspects play a large part in our sense of identity and belonging. For many, living in a globalised world means moving across cultures much more rapidly than our ancestors used to do and living far from our ‘tribe’ or family.
Psychotherapy can help you explore the impact of cultural issues on identity and your sense of personal integration. Some of our therapists are multi-cultural and multi-lingual, having lived and worked in different countries. Working with a psychotherapist who has a broad world view and understanding of the impact of cultural aspects on psychological wellbeing can be helpful in achieving a better understanding of yourself through looking at the influences which shaped you into who you are, and an exploration of who you wish to become.
What are cross-cultural issues?
Cross-cultural issues often lie at the heart of interpersonal conflict between people of different backgrounds. But they can also reflect deeper challenges around identity, belonging, and integration—especially for those living in a culture different from the one they were born into.
If you’re seeking cross-cultural therapy in the UK, get in touch with us to explore your situation with one of our experienced psychotherapists.
What is therapy for cross-cultural issues?
While living in a different culture can bring many advantages, it can also have a significant psychological impact. A lack of belonging, feelings of dislocation, and unresolved grief about leaving one’s homeland are common among those who have moved—whether by choice or necessity.
Some people who left their country of origin long ago may feel estranged both from their native culture and the one they’ve adopted. For those displaced by political circumstances, these feelings may be compounded by anger, sadness, or resentment toward their culture of origin, alongside difficulty integrating into the new one.
Psychotherapy offers a space to explore the effects of cultural transition on identity, belonging, and personal development. It helps individuals understand the cultural forces that shaped them and supports them in becoming who they wish to be.
Third culture kids
A term coined in the 1950’s, being a third culture kid (TCK) is a definition for someone who grew up in a culture other than that of their birth and the country of origin of their parents. Frequently applied to children living in expatriate communities, TCKs can equally be the children of refugees or economic migrants. Being a TCK brings with it possible advantages as well as challenges and disadvantages.
There is an old African proverb ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ and this is exactly what TCKs can end up losing. If the home, parental and school environment are supportive enough then things can go well. If not, feelings of loss, lack of belonging, uprootedness, anxiety and depression may be prevalent.
Read our in-depth blog on the topic of third culture kids to find out more.
How cross-cultural therapy works
Cross-cultural therapy recognises that our cultural background deeply informs how we experience the world—shaping our values, beliefs, and sense of self. Therapy starts with an assessment that helps build an understanding of your cultural identity and worldview.
From there, the therapist works collaboratively with you to establish trust and create a culturally safe therapeutic relationship. Some of our therapists are multicultural and multilingual, which can be especially helpful in bridging gaps in understanding and expression.
Treatment is guided by a culturally informed approach and aims to help you manage emotional responses to issues of cultural conflict, belonging, and identity. Together, you’ll develop tools to support integration and empower you to embrace your cultural identity with confidence.
The benefits of cross-cultural therapy
Cross-cultural therapy can be transformative—whether in individual or couples work.
Individual therapy
In individual therapy, the therapeutic relationship can serve as a bridge across the isolation or alienation that cultural displacement can bring. It provides a space where a renewed sense of belonging and identity can be explored and formed.
Couples therapy
In couples therapy, cultural differences are often central to misunderstanding and conflict. Cross-cultural couples therapy helps partners develop a deeper appreciation of each other’s cultural experiences and expectations. It fosters empathy, communication, and mutual understanding.
What to expect from cross-cultural therapy sessions
First sessions
Your first session is an opportunity to explore whether the therapeutic relationship feels right. Your therapist will ask questions to understand what has brought you to therapy and explain how the process works. It’s a space for you to ask your own questions and assess whether you feel comfortable and supported.
Ongoing sessions
In ongoing sessions, you’ll work together to understand how cultural experiences have influenced your identity and sense of integration. Many of our therapists bring multicultural lived experience to their work, having lived and worked in different countries. This broad perspective can be profoundly helpful in understanding the psychological impact of cultural transition.
Cross-cultural therapy encourages deeper self-understanding by examining the influences that shaped you and supporting the emergence of the person you wish to become.
Our Psychotherapists Brighton and Lewes
Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy is home to a skilled and diverse team of counsellors and psychotherapists with decades of clinical experience. Visit our practitioners to find the right therapist for your journey.
Areas we cover
At Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy, we have two physical practices, one in Hove and one in Lewes, where we offer a full range of psychological therapies.
Alternatively, if you are considering online therapy, we also offer online therapy services.
Why choose Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy?
Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy provides high quality psychotherapy and consultancy services in Brighton and Hove, Lewes, and online. With over a decade of experience and a talented team of skilled associates, we have built a solid reputation for excellence.
Unlike so many directory sites that purport to be clinics, or large operations comprising of a high number of clinicians, we have purposefully kept our team small enough to ensure we can all work together on a personal basis, whilst being large enough to cater to the diverse needs of our client base.
To find out more about how Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy can help you through relationship therapy, get in touch with us today and arrange your initial consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What feelings can cross-cultural issues evoke?
We all need to belong. In fact, we will consciously and subconsciously sacrifice our safety in exchange for feelings like we belong. However, beyond this are tribal and broader cultural needs for belonging, without which we can feel unrooted and lost.
Culture plays an important role in giving us a set of rules by which to live and in turn from which to take our identity. A change in culture can evoke existential anxiety which can in turn lead to feelings of alienation, depression, and anxiety.
How can psychotherapy help with cross cultural issues?
Psychotherapy can play a pivotal role in relation to cross cultural issues with two different client groups: With individual therapy, the therapeutic relationship can bridge the chasm of alienation and be a basis on which a different experience of belonging can be built. In couples psychotherapy, cross cultural issues can be the basis of conflict and psychotherapy can facilitate a better understanding of each others perspective as well as a deeper insight into how each partner’s cultural experience shapes who they are and what they expect of the other.
What happens in a first session?
The first session with one of our practitioners is an opportunity for you both to work out whether you feel able to work together. Your psychotherapist or psychologist will likely ask you various questions relating to what has brought you, and explain the process of therapy to you. The first session is a two-way process where you have the opportunity to ask questions and to decide whether you feel ‘safe enough’ working with your therapist.
How do I find a psychotherapist or psychologist I want to work with?
At Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy, we have two physical practices, one in Hove and one in Lewes, where we offer a full range of psychological therapies. On our website you can view each profile of our associates and contact them directly using the form on their profile page. You can also use our handy search function to find the right practitioner for your needs.
How long will it take for me to see a psychologist or psychotherapist?
We aim to respond to all enquiries within twenty-four hours. You may either contact one of our practitioners directly via their profile page, or you can contact us directly and we will assist you in finding the right person to see as soon as possible. If the practitioner you wish to see has space then an appointment can usually be arranged within a week and sometimes much sooner.
Do you offer couples or group sessions?
We offer counselling and psychotherapy for individuals, couples, families and groups. To find out about the types of session we can offer, get in touch with us today. We will find a date and time that works best for everyone involved and we will make sure everyone feels as comfortable as possible.
How can I get in touch with you?
You can contact our practitioners directly via the contact forms on their profile pages. They will then reply to you directly.
What age groups of clients do you work with?
We have psychotherapists and psychologists trained to work with most age groups from children through to adults.
Do you offer evening and/or weekend sessions?
We offer sessions every day of the week including on Saturdays and sessions are available into the evening.
What are your fees?
Our fees are set by each practitioner depending on the type of therapy. For individual psychotherapy or clinical psychology our fees range from £75 – £100 per session. For couple therapy our fees range from £85 – £100 per session.
All the content on this page has been reviewed and vetted by Sam Jahara Transactional Analysis Psychotherapist, Supervisor and Co-Founder of Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy. For any questions or more information about the subjects discussed on this page please contact us.