Korean Dictionary
How to say "Psychotherapy" in Korean
“Psychotherapy” in Korean is 심리치료 (pronounced "simri chiryo").
심리치료
simri chiryo
Usage & Context
Psychotherapy involves talking with a trained therapist to address mental health issues. 심리치료 in Korea encompasses CBT, psychodynamic therapy, and person-centered approaches.
Example Sentence
심리치료는 다양한 정신 건강 문제를 해결하는 데 도움이 된다.
Psychotherapy helps resolve various mental health issues.
How to use 심리치료 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Psychotherapy” is 심리치료, romanized as simri chiryo.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 심리치료.
Pronunciation Guide
심 (sim) sounds like 'sim' in 'simple'. 리 (ri) is like 'ree' in 'tree'. 치 (chi) sounds like 'chee' in 'cheese'. 료 (ryo) is pronounced like 'ryo' in 'rye' but with a 'yo' sound. The full word is 'sim-ri chi-ryo'.
More Example Sentences
A friend confiding in another friend.
요즘 스트레스가 많아서 심리치료를 받아볼까 생각 중이에요.
I'm thinking about getting psychotherapy because I'm very stressed these days.
A therapist explaining the benefits to a potential client.
심리치료는 혼자 해결하기 어려운 문제에 큰 도움이 됩니다.
Psychotherapy is a great help for problems that are difficult to solve alone.
Friends discussing a K-drama.
드라마에서 주인공이 심리치료를 받는 장면이 인상 깊었어요.
The scene where the main character received psychotherapy in the drama was impressive.
Cultural Context
While mental health awareness is growing, seeking psychotherapy in Korea still carries some stigma, especially among older generations. However, it's becoming more common, particularly among younger people and those in urban areas. Many K-dramas now feature characters openly discussing or undergoing therapy, helping to normalize it and reduce societal prejudice.
Editorial note
We review entries like 심리치료 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
심리치료를 받다
To receive psychotherapy
심리치료사
Psychotherapist
심리치료 센터
Psychotherapy center
Related Expressions
상담
sangdam
Counseling
정신과 치료
jeongsingwa chiryo
Psychiatric treatment (often involves medication)
심리 상담
simri sangdam
Psychological counseling
정신 건강
jeongsin geongang
Mental health
More Mental Health & Wellness Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Psychotherapy and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.