The tragedy in Itaewon has affected directly and indirectly many people, including the foreign community in Korea. It is, undoubtedly, even more daunting and stressful for those who are left to themselves to cope with the trauma in the foreign country and struggle due to the language barrier. In uneasy times like this, it is important to seek professional help and not forget that you don’t have to go through it alone. Fortunately, there are English-speaking services expats in Korea can appeal to.
In case you cannot afford such services, in response to the incident and the spike in the amount of those in need of mental health support, some organizations are also offering free mental healthcare services. We’ve gathered all the information from the sources we’ve had access to and made a list for your convenience.
Free Services:
Free support group by AHS (Adaptable Human Solutions) Korea
Online and Offline
find more information on Instagram
Korean Psychological Association English Consultation Service
Apply for a free session: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe-Jo2OqHl_hWQGvY83Qa0X80Hrly9HNTBA2jR-IYJgFXiUNg/viewform?usp=send_form
Paid services:
Chu Hee Yeon, PhD
E-mail: info@heeyeonchu.com
Address: Sungji-gil 36, Hapjeong-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea
Couchology
Tel: 010-7380-9903
E-mail: jiaying@couchology.com
Global Diaspora
Tel: 070-4044-0600
Address: 51-11 Sunsan-dong, Mapo-gu, Shin-An Building, 6th floor. Seoul, Korea
Seoul Counselling Center
Tel: 02-542-5553
E-mail: support@seoulcounseling.com
Sinsa branch address: 7th Floor, 35, Gangnam-daero 158-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea, 06034
Tel: 02-542-5553
Pyeongtaek branch address: Suite 104, 40-15, Sinheungbukro29beon-gil, Paengseong-eup, Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea, 17977
Tel: 031-692-5556
You & Me Psychological and Consultation Services (YPCS)
Tel: 02-6929-3014
E-mail: admin@ypcskorea.com
Kakao yellowID: YPCSKOREA
Address: Floor 3, 68, Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, S Korea (03145)
Therapy in Korea
E-mail: wingsrestored@gmail.com
Tel: 010-8760-9582
Address: Mapo-gu Dohwadong 560, Seoul
Seoul Central mental health clinic
Tel: 02-779-7660
E-mail: info@seoulcentralmhc.com
Address: 5F, Jogwang building, 11 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Find the full list of mental health services in Korea here.
If you’re in Seoul, check this list of English-speaking psychiatrists in Seoul by expathealth.com
Lastly, if you are in need of a counseling session in your native language or can’t speak English, you can also use translation services such as Danuri Portal and Multicultural Family Support Center, where translation services are available in 13 languages.