English-language counseling services offer someone to talk to

“The incident left an unbearable trauma and I had to seek the help of a therapist," an Ewha Womans University student surnamed Gavdulakhatova said about the Itaewon crowd crush that killed over 150 people in October.

Seoul Counseling Center offers counseling services in Korean and English [SEOUL COUNSELING CENTER]

“The incident left an unbearable trauma and I had to seek the help of a therapist," an Ewha Womans University student surnamed Gavdulakhatova said about the Itaewon crowd crush that killed over 150 people in October.

"But finding English-speaking counseling centers in Seoul was quite difficult at first and I did not know how true and reliable the testimonials are."

The Itaewon tragedy left many people feeling the effects of trauma, especially those like Gavdulakhatova, a 21-year-old student from Kyrgyzstan, who was at the spot of the accident that night or who lost family or friends.

The stress that comes from experiencing a tragedy can lead to mental illness, such as anxiety disorders.

The Korean government and universities laid out various programs to help people overcome the trauma, but people who aren't comfortable speaking Korean often fall through the cracks. The lack of English-speaking counseling services leaves foreign students and residents with nowhere to go for help.

The following are some places in Seoul that offer mental health programs in English and other languages, with most also having branches in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi, where the local headquarters of the U.S. Army is located.

Seoul Counseling Center offers counseling services in Korean and English [SEOUL COUNSELING CENTER]

Seoul Counseling Center The center provides many counseling options — individual, couples, group and even corporate — in both Korean and English. On the website of the center, potential patients can go through the list of specialists and their qualifications. Therapists at Seoul Counseling Center are happy to provide help in 27 different areas. The Center has a special intake team that works with patients to identify their area of focus prior to directing them to therapists that would perfectly match their needs.

Seoul Counseling Center also offers a wide range of evaluation options that help patients to understand themselves and to prevent and detect the emergence of possible mental illnesses. One of the benefits is that the center accepts major international insurance.

The center also has a branch in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi.

https://seoulcounseling.com/ 7th Floor, 35, Gangnam-daero 158-gil, Gangnam District, SeoulOpens from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday

You&Me Psychological and Counseling Services offers counseling in English, Korean, French, Chinese,and Japanese [YOU&ME PSYCHOLOGICAL AND COUNSELING SERVICES]

You&Me Psychological and Counseling Services

Specialists from You&Me Psychological and Counseling Services come from different backgrounds, including counseling psychology, clinical psychology, licensed social work and music and art therapy.

Counseling is provided in five languages: English, Korean, French, Chinese and Japanese. While working, different theories are applied, which makes a counseling approach fully individual and fitting to the specific needs of the patient.

You&Me Psychological and Counseling Services offers counseling in English, Korean, French, Chinese and Japanese [YOU&ME PSYCHOLOGICAL AND COUNSELING SERVICES]

Also, various interesting topics are available to select for group counseling sessions such as a mindfulness-based stress reduction program and a stitching comfort-finding connections program. Note that each program is conducted on a particular date and potential clients can refer to the page testimonials on the website for reviews.

http://www.ypcskorea.com/ Floor 3, 68, Ujeongguk-ro, Dongdeok Building, Jongno District, Seoul Opens from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday

Adaptable Human Solutions offers sessions in three languages: English, Korean and Japanese. [ADAPTABLE HUMAN SOLUTIONS]

Adaptable Human Solutions Adaptable Human Solutions is a well-known counseling center that offers sessions in three languages: English, Korean and Japanese.

Many of the center’s specialists work remotely and reside outside of Korea, mainly in the United States. That is why Adaptable Human Solutions offers a remote online telehealth consultation option.

On the clinic’s website, potential patients can find a blog section, which provides access to many informative and helpful articles on mental health.

https://ahskorea.com/ Suite #2502, Bldg 101 Lotte Castle President, 109 Mapo-daero, Mapo districtOpens from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Tuesday to Thursday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, with only telehealth available on Sunday

Seoul Central Mental Health Clinic focuses on four specific fields of counseling — psychiatry, stress, couples and assessment clinics. [SEOUL CENTRAL MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC]

Seoul Central Mental Health Clinic Seoul Central Mental Health Clinic is a counseling center that applies a combination of evidence-based medicine, interpersonal connections and self-exploration while working with patients. The center focuses on four specific fields of counseling — psychiatry, stress, couples and assessment clinics.

In addition to that, the clinic operates Seoul Lounge, which is a place for relaxation and stress relief that is open to public. The music is chosen by classical music professionals and the collection of books was put together by professional psychiatrists. https://en.seoulcentralmhc.com/ 5F, Jogwang building, 11 Sejong-daero, Jung District, SeoulOpens from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday, and couples therapy only on Saturday

Dr. Sung Yonsei Counseling Center offers counseling in Korean and English. [DR. SUNG YONSEI COUNSELING CENTER]

Dr. Sung Yonsei Counseling Center The center is opened by Professor Sung Jee-hee, who also teaches human environmental sciences at Yonsei University.

English counseling is available, and Sung has extensive experience in family and couples counseling. The center also provides individual counseling and sessions for foreign residents.

Work is mainly based on emotionally focused therapy and the Gottman method. Brief phone consultations are also available before the first session. http://drsungcounseling.com/ #1718, 625, Teheran-ro, Gangnam DistrictOpens from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Monday to Friday

BY STUDENT REPORTER ASSEMGUL SADYKOVA [kjd.kcampus@joongang.co.kr]