How to Say Behavior Therapy in Korean

Understanding mental health terminology is crucial when discussing well-being or seeking support in Korea. This guide focuses on how to say “Behavior Therapy” in Korean, along with related terms and useful phrases for discussing therapeutic approaches and mental health concepts.

Core Term

• Expression: 행동치료
  Pronunciation: haeng-dong-chi-ryo
  Meaning: Behavior Therapy

Related Terminology

• Expression: 인지행동치료
  Pronunciation: in-ji-haeng-dong-chi-ryo
  Meaning: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Expression: 정신과 의사
  Pronunciation: jeong-sin-gwa ui-sa
  Meaning: Psychiatrist
• Expression: 심리 상담사
  Pronunciation: sim-ri sang-dam-sa
  Meaning: Psychologist / Counselor
• Expression: 치료사
  Pronunciation: chi-ryo-sa
  Meaning: Therapist
• Expression: 상담
  Pronunciation: sang-dam
  Meaning: Counseling / Consultation
• Expression: 치료
  Pronunciation: chi-ryo
  Meaning: Treatment / Therapy
• Expression: 정신 건강
  Pronunciation: jeong-sin geon-gang
  Meaning: Mental Health
• Expression: 심리 검사
  Pronunciation: sim-ri geom-sa
  Meaning: Psychological Test / Assessment
• Expression: 치료 계획
  Pronunciation: chi-ryo gye-hoek
  Meaning: Treatment Plan
• Expression: 증상
  Pronunciation: jeung-sang
  Meaning: Symptom
• Expression: 진단
  Pronunciation: jin-dan
  Meaning: Diagnosis

Describing Symptoms and Issues

• Expression: 불안감을 느껴요.
  Pronunciation: bul-an-gam-eul neu-kkyeo-yo.
  Meaning: I feel anxious.
• Expression: 우울해요.
  Pronunciation: u-ul-hae-yo.
  Meaning: I feel depressed.
• Expression: 스트레스를 많이 받아요.
  Pronunciation: seu-teu-re-seu-reul ma-ni ba-da-yo.
  Meaning: I receive a lot of stress. / I’m very stressed.
• Expression: 공황 발작이 있어요.
  Pronunciation: gong-hwang bal-jag-i i-sseo-yo.
  Meaning: I have panic attacks.
• Expression: 특정 공포증이 있어요.
  Pronunciation: teuk-jeong gong-po-jeung-i i-sseo-yo.
  Meaning: I have a specific phobia.
• Expression: 나쁜 습관을 고치고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: na-ppeun seup-gwan-eul go-chi-go si-peo-yo.
  Meaning: I want to fix a bad habit.
• Expression: 집중하기 어려워요.
  Pronunciation: jip-jung-ha-gi eo-ryeo-wo-yo.
  Meaning: It’s difficult to concentrate.
• Expression: 잠을 잘 못 자요.
  Pronunciation: jam-eul jal mot ja-yo.
  Meaning: I can’t sleep well.
• Expression: 대인 관계에 어려움이 있어요.
  Pronunciation: dae-in gwan-gye-e eo-ryeo-um-i i-sseo-yo.
  Meaning: I have difficulties with interpersonal relationships.
• Expression: 강박적인 생각이 들어요.
  Pronunciation: gang-bak-jeog-in saeng-gag-i deul-eo-yo.
  Meaning: I have obsessive thoughts.

Discussing Treatment

• Expression: 행동치료를 받고 있어요.
  Pronunciation: haeng-dong-chi-ryo-reul bat-go i-sseo-yo.
  Meaning: I am receiving behavior therapy.
• Expression: 상담을 예약하고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: sang-dam-eul ye-yak-ha-go si-peo-yo.
  Meaning: I want to book a counseling session.
• Expression: 어떤 종류의 치료인가요?
  Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-ryu-ui chi-ryo-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: What kind of therapy is it?
• Expression: 치료가 효과가 있나요?
  Pronunciation: chi-ryo-ga hyo-gwa-ga it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Is the therapy effective?
• Expression: 치료 기간은 얼마나 걸리나요?
  Pronunciation: chi-ryo gi-gan-eun eol-ma-na geol-li-na-yo?
  Meaning: How long is the treatment period?
• Expression: 보험 적용이 되나요?
  Pronunciation: bo-heom jeog-yong-i doe-na-yo?
  Meaning: Is it covered by insurance?
• Expression: 치료 비용은 얼마인가요?
  Pronunciation: chi-ryo bi-yong-eun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: How much does the therapy cost?
• Expression: 치료 목표는 무엇인가요?
  Pronunciation: chi-ryo mok-pyo-neun mu-eot-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: What are the treatment goals?
• Expression: 이 치료법을 추천받았어요.
  Pronunciation: i chi-ryo-beob-eul chu-cheon-ba-da-sseo-yo.
  Meaning: I was recommended this therapy method.
• Expression: 치료사와 잘 맞는 것 같아요.
  Pronunciation: chi-ryo-sa-wa jal mat-neun geot ga-ta-yo.
  Meaning: I think I get along well with the therapist.
• Expression: 치료를 통해 많이 나아졌어요.
  Pronunciation: chi-ryo-reul tong-hae ma-ni na-a-jyeo-sseo-yo.
  Meaning: I’ve gotten much better through therapy.

Korean Culture Notes

Discussing mental health (정신 건강 – jeong-sin geon-gang) in Korea has become more open in recent years, but some stigma may still exist compared to Western cultures. Historically, seeking psychological help was often viewed as a sign of weakness, and issues were expected to be handled within the family or endured privately.

However, awareness is growing, particularly among younger generations. Terms like 상담 (sang-dam – counseling) and 치료 (chi-ryo – therapy) are becoming more common. People are increasingly recognizing the benefits of therapies like 행동치료 (haeng-dong-chi-ryo) and 인지행동치료 (in-ji-haeng-dong-chi-ryo).

When discussing these topics, it’s still advisable to be sensitive. While directness is appreciated in a clinical setting, casual conversations might require more nuance. Using phrases like “요즘 스트레스를 많이 받아서 상담을 고민 중이에요” (yo-jeum seu-teu-re-seu-reul ma-ni ba-da-seo sang-dam-eul go-min jung-i-e-yo – I’m considering counseling because I’m very stressed lately) can be a gentle way to bring up the subject.

Access to mental health services is improving, with more clinics and counseling centers available, especially in larger cities. Understanding the difference between a 정신과 의사 (jeong-sin-gwa ui-sa – psychiatrist, who can prescribe medication) and a 심리 상담사 (sim-ri sang-dam-sa – psychologist/counselor, who focuses on talk therapy) is also helpful.

Real Conversation Example

Situation: Two friends are discussing ways to cope with stress and anxiety.

Characters:

• A: Minjun (Feeling stressed)
• B: Jiwon (Has some knowledge about therapy)

• Expression: A: 요즘 너무 불안하고 스트레스가 심해. 어떻게 해야 할지 모르겠어.
  Pronunciation: Yo-jeum neo-mu bul-an-ha-go seu-teu-re-seu-ga sim-hae. Eo-tteo-ke hae-ya hal-ji mo-reu-ge-sseo.
  Meaning: A: Lately, I’m so anxious and stressed. I don’t know what to do.
• Expression: B: 정말? 힘들겠다. 혹시 심리 상담이나 치료를 생각해 본 적 있어?
  Pronunciation: Jeong-mal? Him-deul-get-da. Hok-si sim-ri sang-dam-i-na chi-ryo-reul saeng-gak-hae bon jeok i-sseo?
  Meaning: B: Really? That must be tough. Have you ever thought about psychological counseling or therapy?
• Expression: A: 생각은 해봤는데, 어떤 종류가 있는지 잘 몰라서…
  Pronunciation: Saeng-gag-eun hae-bwat-neun-de, eo-tteon jong-ryu-ga it-neun-ji jal mol-la-seo…
  Meaning: A: I’ve thought about it, but I don’t really know what kinds there are…
• Expression: B: 음, 예를 들어 행동치료 같은 것도 있어. 특정 행동 패턴이나 습관을 바꾸는 데 도움이 된대.
  Pronunciation: Eum, ye-reul deul-eo haeng-dong-chi-ryo ga-teun geot-do i-sseo. Teuk-jeong haeng-dong pae-teo-ni-na seup-gwan-eul ba-kku-neun de do-um-i doen-dae.
  Meaning: B: Hmm, for example, there’s something like behavior therapy. They say it helps in changing specific behavioral patterns or habits.
• Expression: A: 행동치료? 그게 나한테 맞을까? 나는 주로 불안감 때문에 힘들어.
  Pronunciation: Haeng-dong-chi-ryo? Geu-ge na-han-te ma-jeul-kka? Na-neun ju-ro bul-an-gam ttae-mun-e him-deul-eo.
  Meaning: A: Behavior therapy? Would that suit me? I mainly struggle because of anxiety.
• Expression: B: 인지행동치료(CBT)는 생각과 행동을 같이 다루니까 불안감에도 효과적일 수 있어. 한번 전문가랑 상담해 보는 게 어때?
  Pronunciation: In-ji-haeng-dong-chi-ryo-neun saeng-gak-gwa haeng-dong-eul ga-chi da-ru-ni-kka bul-an-gam-e-do hyo-gwa-jeog-il su i-sseo. Han-beon jeon-mun-ga-rang sang-dam-hae bo-neun ge eo-ttae?
  Meaning: B: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) deals with both thoughts and behaviors, so it could be effective for anxiety too. How about consulting with a professional once?
• Expression: A: 그래야겠다. 좋은 심리 상담사 찾는 법 알아?
  Pronunciation: Geu-rae-ya-get-da. Jo-eun sim-ri sang-dam-sa chat-neun beob a-ra?
  Meaning: A: I should do that. Do you know how to find a good psychologist/counselor?
• Expression: B: 인터넷으로 후기를 찾아보거나, 병원에 문의해 볼 수도 있어. 치료 계획을 잘 세워줄 거야.
  Pronunciation: In-teo-ne-seu-ro hu-gi-reul cha-ja-bo-geo-na, byeong-won-e mun-ui-hae bol su-do i-sseo. Chi-ryo gye-hoeg-eul jal se-wo-jul geo-ya.
  Meaning: B: You can look for reviews online or inquire at a clinic/hospital. They’ll help set up a good treatment plan.

Practice Tips

Learning terms related to mental health like 행동치료 is a great step! Try practicing these phrases by yourself or with a language partner~ Imagine different scenarios where you might need to discuss therapy or symptoms. You could role-play visiting a counselor’s office or talking to a friend about stress.

Listen to Korean podcasts or watch dramas that touch upon mental health themes (sensitively, of course!) to hear how these terms are used naturally. Don’t be afraid to look up related vocabulary as well. Keep practicing, and you’ll become more comfortable discussing these important topics in Korean! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting! / You can do it!)