Discussing mental health requires specific vocabulary, and knowing the right terms in Korean is essential whether you’re seeking help, supporting someone, or simply engaging in deeper conversations. This guide covers the key Korean expression for “psychotherapy” and related terms and phrases to help you navigate discussions about mental well-being in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Term: Psychotherapy
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Expression: 심리치료
Pronunciation: shim-ri-chi-ryo
Meaning: Psychotherapy (literally “psychology treatment”)
Related Mental Health Vocabulary
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Expression: 정신과 의사
Pronunciation: jeong-shin-gwa ui-sa
Meaning: Psychiatrist -
Expression: 심리 상담사
Pronunciation: shim-ri sang-dam-sa
Meaning: Psychologist / Counselor -
Expression: 상담
Pronunciation: sang-dam
Meaning: Counseling / Consultation -
Expression: 정신 건강
Pronunciation: jeong-shin geon-gang
Meaning: Mental health -
Expression: 스트레스
Pronunciation: seu-teu-re-seu
Meaning: Stress -
Expression: 우울증
Pronunciation: u-ul-jjeung
Meaning: Depression -
Expression: 불안 장애
Pronunciation: bul-an jang-ae
Meaning: Anxiety disorder -
Expression: 치료 세션
Pronunciation: chi-ryo se-shyeon
Meaning: Therapy session -
Expression: 정신과
Pronunciation: jeong-shin-gwa
Meaning: Psychiatry (department) -
Expression: 심리학
Pronunciation: shim-ri-hak
Meaning: Psychology -
Expression: 감정
Pronunciation: gam-jeong
Meaning: Emotion / Feeling -
Expression: 정신 질환
Pronunciation: jeong-shin jil-hwan
Meaning: Mental illness
Phrases for Seeking Therapy
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Expression: 심리 상담을 받고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: shim-ri sang-dam-eul bat-go ship-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to receive psychological counseling. -
Expression: 정신과 의사를 만나야 할 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: jeong-shin-gwa ui-sa-reul man-na-ya hal geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I think I need to see a psychiatrist. -
Expression: 요즘 너무 힘들어요.
Pronunciation: yo-jeum neo-mu him-deul-eo-yo.
Meaning: It’s been really hard for me lately. -
Expression: 심리치료 예약을 하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: shim-ri-chi-ryo ye-yak-eul ha-go ship-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to make an appointment for psychotherapy. -
Expression: 좋은 상담사 추천해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: jo-eun sang-dam-sa chu-cheon-hae ju-shil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you recommend a good counselor? -
Expression: 상담 비용은 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: sang-dam bi-yong-eun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much does counseling cost? -
Expression: 건강 보험 적용이 되나요?
Pronunciation: geon-gang bo-heom jeok-yong-i doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is it covered by health insurance? -
Expression: 어디서 심리 상담을 받을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: eo-di-seo shim-ri sang-dam-eul bat-eul su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Where can I receive psychological counseling? -
Expression: 정신 건강 지원 센터가 있나요?
Pronunciation: jeong-shin geon-gang ji-won sen-teo-ga in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a mental health support center? -
Expression: 비밀 보장이 되나요?
Pronunciation: bi-mil bo-jang-i doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is confidentiality guaranteed?
Phrases Used During Therapy
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Expression: 제 기분에 대해 이야기하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: je gi-bun-e dae-hae i-ya-gi-ha-go ship-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to talk about my feelings. -
Expression: 요즘 스트레스를 많이 받아요.
Pronunciation: yo-jeum seu-teu-re-seu-reul ma-ni bad-a-yo.
Meaning: I’ve been under a lot of stress lately. -
Expression: 어떻게 대처해야 할지 모르겠어요.
Pronunciation: eo-tteo-ke dae-cheo-hae-ya hal-ji mo-reu-ge-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I don’t know how to cope. -
Expression: 이 문제에 대해 오랫동안 고민했어요.
Pronunciation: i mun-je-e dae-hae o-raet-dong-an go-min-hae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’ve been worrying about this problem for a long time. -
Expression: 과거의 경험이 저에게 영향을 미쳐요.
Pronunciation: gwa-geo-ui gyeong-heom-i jeo-e-ge yeong-hyang-eul mi-chyeo-yo.
Meaning: Past experiences affect me. -
Expression: 제 감정을 이해하기 어려워요.
Pronunciation: je gam-jeong-eul i-hae-ha-gi eo-ryeo-wo-yo.
Meaning: It’s difficult to understand my emotions. -
Expression: 선생님의 조언이 필요해요.
Pronunciation: seon-saeng-nim-ui jo-eon-i pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need your advice. (Referring to the therapist respectfully) -
Expression: 조금 나아진 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: jo-geum na-a-jin geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I think I feel a little better. -
Expression: 다음 세션은 언제인가요?
Pronunciation: da-eum se-shyeon-eun eon-je-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: When is the next session? -
Expression: 이 치료법이 도움이 될까요?
Pronunciation: i chi-ryo-beop-i do-um-i doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Will this treatment method be helpful? -
Expression: 제 목표는 정신적으로 더 건강해지는 거예요.
Pronunciation: je mok-pyo-neun jeong-shin-jeok-eu-ro deo geon-gang-hae-ji-neun geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: My goal is to become mentally healthier.
Cultural Notes on Mental Health in Korea
Understanding cultural context is crucial when discussing mental health. Historically, there has been a significant stigma surrounding mental illness and seeking therapy in Korea, although this is gradually changing, especially among younger generations.
Seeking help from a 정신과 의사 (jeong-shin-gwa ui-sa – psychiatrist) might still be viewed differently than seeing a 심리 상담사 (shim-ri sang-dam-sa – counselor). Psychiatry often focuses more on medication, while counseling involves talk therapy.
Expressing emotional distress openly can sometimes be challenging in a culture that values stoicism and resilience. People might express psychological distress through physical symptoms (신체화 증상 – shin-che-hwa jeung-sang).
Family and social harmony (화합 – hwahap) are highly valued, which can sometimes lead individuals to suppress personal struggles to avoid burdening others. However, awareness and acceptance of mental health care are growing.
University counseling centers and public mental health support centers (정신건강복지센터 – jeong-shin-geon-gang-bok-ji-sen-teo) are becoming more accessible resources for support.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Min-jun is talking to his friend Su-jin about feeling overwhelmed and considering therapy.
Roles: A: Min-jun, B: Su-jin
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Expression: A: 수진아, 나 요즘 너무 힘들어. 스트레스가 너무 심해.
Pronunciation: Su-jin-a, na yo-jeum neo-mu him-deul-eo. Seu-teu-re-seu-ga neo-mu shim-hae.
Meaning: Su-jin, I’m having such a hard time lately. The stress is really intense. -
Expression: B: 어머, 민준아 괜찮아? 무슨 일 있어?
Pronunciation: Eo-meo, Min-jun-a gwaen-chan-a? Mu-seun il i-sseo?
Meaning: Oh my, Min-jun, are you okay? What’s going on? -
Expression: A: 잘 모르겠어. 그냥 계속 불안하고 우울한 기분이야. 심리 상담이라도 받아볼까 생각 중이야.
Pronunciation: Jal mo-reu-ge-sseo. Geu-nyang gye-sok bul-an-ha-go u-ul-han gi-bun-i-ya. Shim-ri sang-dam-i-ra-do bad-a-bol-kka saeng-gak jung-i-ya.
Meaning: I’m not sure. I just constantly feel anxious and depressed. I’m thinking about maybe getting psychological counseling. -
Expression: B: 정말? 그거 좋은 생각인 것 같아. 혼자 힘들어하지 말고 전문가랑 이야기해보는 게 도움이 될 수 있어.
Pronunciation: Jeong-mal? Geu-geo jo-eun saeng-gak-in geot gat-a. Hon-ja him-deul-eo-ha-ji mal-go jeon-mun-ga-rang i-ya-gi-hae-bo-neun ge do-um-i doel su i-sseo.
Meaning: Really? I think that’s a good idea. Don’t struggle alone; talking to a professional can be helpful. -
Expression: A: 그런데 어디서 심리치료를 받아야 할지 잘 모르겠어. 비용도 걱정되고.
Pronunciation: Geu-reon-de eo-di-seo shim-ri-chi-ryo-reul bad-a-ya hal-ji jal mo-reu-ge-sseo. Bi-yong-do geok-jeong-doe-go.
Meaning: But I’m not sure where to get psychotherapy. I’m also worried about the cost. -
Expression: B: 학교 상담 센터나 지역 정신건강복지센터를 한번 알아봐. 지원 프로그램이 있을 수도 있어. 내가 같이 찾아봐 줄까?
Pronunciation: Hak-gyo sang-dam sen-teo-na ji-yeok jeong-shin-geon-gang-bok-ji-sen-teo-reul han-beon ar-a-bwa. Ji-won peu-ro-geu-raem-i i-sseul su-do i-sseo. Nae-ga ga-chi chaj-a-bwa jul-kka?
Meaning: Check out the university counseling center or the local mental health welfare center. They might have support programs. Shall I help you look it up? -
Expression: A: 정말? 그래주면 너무 고맙지!
Pronunciation: Jeong-mal? Geu-rae-ju-myeon neo-mu go-map-ji!
Meaning: Really? That would be so helpful, thank you!
Practice Suggestions
Familiarizing yourself with these terms is the first step! Try using the vocabulary in sentences related to your own feelings or hypothetical situations~ For example, practice saying “요즘 스트레스를 많이 받아요” (yo-jeum seu-teu-re-seu-reul ma-ni bad-a-yo) or “정신 건강이 중요해요” (jeong-shin geon-gang-i jung-yo-hae-yo).
Listen to Korean podcasts or watch dramas that touch upon mental health topics to hear these words used in context. Don’t be afraid to practice pronunciation slowly, focusing on each syllable! Remember, acknowledging and discussing mental well-being is a sign of strength. 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – You can do it!)
