As an American living in Korea, one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is the lack of professional marriage counseling services. Back in the U.S., couples therapy is widely available, and seeking professional help for relationship issues is normalized. However, in Korea, finding a qualified marriage counselor can feel nearly impossible.
Cultural Barriers to Marriage Counseling
One of the key reasons behind this issue is cultural. In the U.S., therapy is often seen as a proactive and healthy way to address problems before they escalate. Many couples attend counseling not just when they are on the verge of divorce, but as a way to strengthen their relationship. In Korea, however, marital issues are often considered private matters to be handled within the family. Rather than seeking professional help, many couples turn to friends, religious leaders, or family members for advice. While this may work for some, it often lacks the structured and evidence-based approach that professional therapy provides.
Limited Access to Professional Counselors
Another major obstacle is the limited availability of licensed marriage counselors. In the U.S., marriage and family therapists (MFTs) are highly trained professionals with specialized degrees and certifications. Korea, on the other hand, does not have a well-established system for licensing marriage counselors. While some private counseling centers exist, they are often expensive, difficult to find, and may not have counselors specifically trained in couples therapy.
Stigma Around Seeking Help
Mental health awareness is improving in Korea, but there is still a significant stigma associated with seeking therapy. Many people fear that admitting to marital struggles means they have failed in their relationship. This societal pressure discourages couples from seeking professional help, even when they desperately need it.
Legal and Institutional Gaps
In the U.S., some courts even require couples to undergo counseling before finalizing a divorce. Insurance coverage may also help reduce the financial burden of therapy. In Korea, there are no such legal requirements or institutional supports to encourage couples to seek counseling before making life-altering decisions. Most couples who do seek help have to pay out of pocket, making therapy an expensive option that many simply cannot afford.
What Needs to Change?
For Korea to develop a more supportive environment for couples in distress, several changes are necessary:
- Increased public awareness: Normalizing therapy as a healthy relationship tool, rather than a sign of failure, is crucial.
- More training programs for therapists: Establishing official certification programs for marriage counselors would ensure better professional support for couples.
- Affordable and accessible services: Government or insurance-supported counseling programs would make therapy more financially feasible.
- Encouraging couples to seek help early: Counseling should be seen as a proactive measure rather than a last resort before divorce.
Final Thoughts
Living in Korea has been a fantastic experience in many ways, but the difficulty of finding professional marriage counseling services has been frustrating. While cultural attitudes are slowly shifting, Korea still has a long way to go in making professional relationship support more accessible. Until then, couples facing difficulties may find it hard to get the help they need, leaving many to struggle in silence.
If you’ve experienced similar challenges while living in Korea, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Have you found any helpful resources? How have you navigated relationship struggles in a country where therapy is not as widely accepted? Let’s discuss in the comments!