Relationship anxiety can be all consuming - particularly for those in intercultural relationships. Intercultural (i.e. interfaith or interracial) relationships are increasingly common in the US, and these couples are figuring out milestones like moving in together, marriage and parenting with a new blueprint that doesn’t exist in either of their families. Identity differences, such as race, ethnicity, faith, gender, sexuality, ability or culture, can increase anxiety about the relationship for each individual and for the couple as a whole. In individual therapy focusing on the relationship, you can process how your own cultural background may be influencing dynamics with your partner that you would like to change. In couples therapy, a therapist paying more attention to issues of identity can help partners better understand each other and “zoom out” to see the myriad of factors at play in the relationship.