ABSTRACT
As early as the 1930s, the concept of Western psychotherapy was introduced into Korea, but it was in the 1950s after the Korean War (1950-1953) through the contacts with American military psychiatrists and psychologists that Korean clinicians actually became acquainted with the practice of psychotherapy. In the development of psychotherapy in Korea, the field has consisted of largely four main types of professional: psychiatrists; clinical psychologists; psychiatric social workers; and other mental health practitioners inclusive of counsellors, expressive therapists, family therapists and psychoanalysts. Among these practitioners, psychiatrists have had the strong political voice and professional jurisdiction over psychotherapeutic practices. Even though there are no government licences for psychotherapists in Korea yet, certificates are granted by relevant professional psychotherapy associations. In practice, more psychotherapists tend to use an eclectic mix of Western-based theoretical orientations, including psychoanalytic, humanistic and cognitive behavioural approaches. Some clinical psychologists have begun working in private clinics or counselling centres alongside counsellors.
