Songdo, labeled the International Business District of Incheon, houses a decent sized international population. Several members of the Songdo international community have expressed a need for English-speaking mental health services. While known as an international district, mental health counseling services prove to be highly limited in the Songdo area.
As Songdo continues to grow, more English-speaking mental health services may become available in the future. However, in the meantime, here is what is currently available in Songdo as well as outside of Songdo (for those willing to travel a bit).
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Selecting Mental Health Counseling Options in Songdo
Since finding English language mental health support may feel overwhelming, South of Seoul Public Health (SOS Public Health) conducted research to find the most recommended English-speaking counseling centers in several areas around Korea, including Songdo.
In order to create the following list, SOS Public Health volunteers interviewed international residents living in or near Songdo including students, educators, and US military-affiliated persons. Additionally, we searched both Korean and English online websites and databases.
The information below includes a limited list of mental health counseling centers with licensed professionals who provide services in English. As SOS Public Health continues to research, more resources may be added to the list below over time.
You can find all organizations listed in the South of Seoul app. Download the South of Seoul App for easy access to information on resources available in South Korea.
DISCLAIMER: The information in this blog is not sponsored content. The organizations listed below are provided based on community recommendation and direct research. South of Seoul does not receive any monetary compensation for the posting of this blog.
Light In-U International Counseling
Light In-U International Counseling is located in the Dream City Area of Songdo near the McDonalds by Michuhol Park. This counseling center provides mental health services in English and Korean from a team of licensed professionals.
Light In-U
01024645979
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Light In-U offers a variety of counseling programs both online and offline in English and Korean. Located in the Time Space Building B Room 706.
Hangul Address
인천 연수구 송도동 하모니로 158
Light In-U offers a variety of mental health counseling services both in-person and online. Their counseling options as listed on the Light In-U website are as follows:
Therapy Services
- Individual Therapy
- Children’s Therapy
- Adolescent Therapy
- Couples Therapy
- Family Therapy
Counseling Areas
- ADHD
- Addiction
- Bullying
- Depression
- Difficulty Adjusting at School
- Difficulty in Relationships
- Difficulty Managing Emotions
- Eating Disorders
- Familial Conflicts
- Obsessions and Compulsions
- Suicidal Ideation
- and more…
To book an appointment, complete the Light In-U form available on their website or to inquire about cost of services, call 010-2464-5979.
English-Speaking Mental Health Services Outside of Songdo
Songdo may not have a plethora of options for mental health counseling. However, other English-speaking mental health counseling services do exist throughout Korea, many of which provide online counseling.
Mental Health Counseling in Pyeongtaek
The Mental Health Counseling in Pyeongtaek blog lists options for English language counseling services located in Pyeongtaek. Many of the organizations in this blog also have locations in Seoul.
Tools for Searching for Mental Health Counseling in Korea
GIDEB APP
Gidep, a mental health app, allows individuals to search for mental health counseling centers near them within Korea. The app also has additional features such as a mental health self-assessment, iJournal, and Wellness Workshops.
Read the ‘Awareness of Mental Health Resources on and off Incheon Global Campus Sample of Initial Findings and Links to Resources’ blog for instructions on how to use the GIDEB app search function.
Tools for Searching for Mental Health Counseling in Seoul
The South of Seoul App
SOS Public Health is currently working on a blog for mental health counseling services in Seoul. The South of Seoul App has a few listings. To search, simply type ‘mental health seoul’ in the search bar as shown below.
Expatguidekorea’s online database
Another way to find mental health services in the Seoul area, ExpatGuideKorea, has an online database where you can search for counseling and therapy services in or near Seoul.
To search, type your query in the search bar or scroll down through the listings.
Alternate Online Mental Health Counseling Option: BetterHelp
If the above listed mental health counseling centers isn’t the best fit for you, you may want to consider other options. One organization that has been recommended by several community members living in Korea is BetterHelp.
BetterHelp provides virtual mental health counseling sessions from anywhere around the world. This organization has an array of mental health therapists with varying degrees of experience. They will work with you to find a therapist that best fits your needs and your financial situation.
Learn more about their services by visiting their webpage.
Advocate For Your Mental Health
With the stresses of COVID-19, life abroad, and culture shock it is important to advocate for ourselves and our mental health. If you are in need of mental health support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a mental health counseling center whether it be one of the above listed organizations or another organization that works best for you.
The list above will continue to grow as SOS Public Health learns about more available English-speaking mental health counseling services in Songdo. If you know of any counseling/therapy centers that are not listed above, let us know about them by emailing PUBLICHEALTH@SOUTHOFSEOUL.NET or messaging SOS Public Health on our Facebook Page.
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Research Design & Implementation Team
UX/UI Supervisor & Editor
Lanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert.
Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities.
Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea.
Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea.
When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains.
Primary Researcher & Author
Ms. Peck graduated from the University of Utah Asia Campus (UAC) in Incheon with a Master’s in Public Health and her Certification in Public Health (CPH). Ms. Peck also holds a Bachelor’s Degrees in Linguistics and one in International Studies with a Global Health emphasis.
Ms. Peck is Korean American and speaks both English and Korean. She has moved between the US and Korea since childhood, finally settling in Korea after graduating from UAC.
In 2021 Ms. Peck founded the South of Seoul Public Health Program which focuses on research and initiatives regarding the health and wellness of multinational residents in South Korea.
Additionally, Ms. Peck oversees the SOS Public Health Graduate Student Practicum Program which provides mentorship and training for Master’s in Public Health students. The program works with two students a semester with a focus on ethical UX research design, survey development, and initiative implementation.
