Culture Is More Than Race and Ethnicity

When we talk about “culture,” many people immediately think of race, ethnicity, or nationality. While those are certainly significant cultural identities, culture is much broader. Culture shapes how we understand the world, how we relate to others, and how we make meaning of our experiences. It includes shared values, communication styles, beliefs about family and community, and norms around emotion, boundaries, and care.

In other words, culture is not just where we come from—it is also what has shaped us.

For example, military service creates a distinct cultural identity. Veterans and active-duty service members often share a deeply ingrained value system built around loyalty, sacrifice, hierarchy, and mission. Reintegration into civilian life can be challenging not because of a lack of strength or resilience, but because the cultural norms of civilian environments are fundamentally different. Understanding this requires cultural humility and informed clinical care—not stereotypes or assumptions.

Regional identity can also act as a cultural experience. Someone who moves from the Midwest to the Pacific Northwest (or from a small town to a major city) may notice differences in communication patterns, social expectations, and even how people form friendships. These shifts can be disorienting, especially when one’s sense of belonging or routine is disrupted. In therapy, making space to explore these transitions can help individuals navigate change with more clarity and confidence.

Family culture can be equally influential. Even within the same racial or ethnic group, two families may hold very different beliefs about emotional expression, conflict, independence, or success. What feels “normal” in one family might feel unfamiliar or even uncomfortable in another—and therapy can help clients understand how those early experiences shape present-day relationships and identity.

At our practice, multicultural care means recognizing all of these layers. We don’t assume culture based on appearance, last name, or the boxes checked on an intake form. Instead, we approach each person with curiosity, respect, and openness. Our goal is to understand the experiences that have shaped you—whether those come from your racial or ethnic background, your family of origin, religious or spiritual communities, military service, profession, regional identity, or life transitions.

Culture is dynamic. Complex. Personal.

And meaningful.

By honoring the full spectrum of cultural identity, we offer therapy that is more attuned, more supportive, and more human.