English Counseling Seoul | City Hall Station

At OCEAN, we move away from a “one-size-fits-all” model of care. Instead, we offer thoughtfully tailored therapeutic journeys that honor your personal story, cultural context, and professional identity.

Therapy at OCEAN is a collaborative and compassionate space where your lived experiences are deeply respected and meaningfully woven into the work we do together. We gently attend to the inner struggles that may exist beneath a calm and capable exterior. By nurturing your natural flexibility and resilience, we support you in reconnecting with the authentic self that may have been set aside for a long time, helping you move toward a deeper sense of ease, alignment, and inner freedom.

• Postdoctoral Clinical Fellow/ George Washington University

• Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology/State University of New York at Albany (SUNY at Albany)

• Doctoral Intern/ California State University Long Beach

• M.A in Counseling Psychology/ Ewha Womans University

• B.S. in Economics/ Ewha Womans University

• Adjunct Professor/ Konkuk University

• Clinical Psychologist/ Orange County Health Psychologists

• Clinical Psychologist, Group Coordinator, Supervisor/ University of California Irvine Counseling Center

• Clinical Psychologist/ California State University Long Beach

• Clinical Psychologist, Co-Chair of International Student Outreach, Supervisor/ University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Counseling Center

• Licensed Clinical Psychologist (CA 31062, IL 071.009396)

• Certified Psychologist (Korea: KPA 2074, KCA 1432)

Who I Help

High-Performance

Professionals & Creatives

Early & Mid-Career Leaders: Navigating the steep trajectory of global corporate ladders and the unique pressures of leadership.

Healthcare Professionals & Artists: Specialized support for those in high-burnout fields who require attentive care and discretion.

Book an Appointment

Who I Help

The Global Expat Community

Foreign Professionals & Diplomats: Supporting expatriates and their families as they navigate the complexities of life and work in Korea.

U.S. Military & Government Personnel: Specialized understanding of the unique lifestyle, transitions, and mental health needs of the service community.

Book an Appointment

Who I Help

Bicultural & Global Citizens

The 1.5 & Second Generation: Bridging the gap between Korean heritage and Western upbringing.

Third-Culture Adults (TCAs) & Adoptees: Exploring identity, belonging, and the nuances of "home" in a multicultural context.

International Students & Scholars: Empowering the next generation of global thinkers as they adapt to a new academic and cultural environment.

Book an Appointment

Anxiety

Focuses on managing persistent worry, panic, or fear. Therapy helps identify triggers and develop coping strategies to calm the nervous system and regain a sense of control.

Depression

Addresses feelings of hopelessness, low energy, and loss of interest. It involves exploring underlying causes and building practical tools to improve mood and restore daily functioning.

Self-esteem

Aims to improve one’s self-image by challenging negative self-talk and insecurity. The goal is to foster self-compassion and a more balanced, confident sense of self-worth.

Perfectionism

Targets the paralyzing need to be "flawless" and the fear of failure. Counseling helps shift the focus from unrealistic standards to healthy striving and self-acceptance.

Interpersonal Concerns

Addresses difficulties in social or professional relationships, such as boundary setting and social anxiety. It helps clients build healthier, more fulfilling connections with others.

Family Conflicts

Focuses on resolving disputes and improving communication within family units. It explores generational patterns to heal wounds and establish more supportive domestic dynamics.

Grief/Loss Issues

Provides a safe space to process the deep pain of losing a loved one or a significant life change. It guides clients through the stages of mourning toward eventual healing.

Adjustment Issues

Supports individuals navigating major life changes, such as moving, career shifts, or retirement. It helps build resilience and strategies to cope with the stress of the "new normal."

Trauma/PTSD

Focuses on healing from distressing past events that continue to impact current life. Using evidence-based techniques, therapy helps process traumatic memories and reduce hypervigilance.

Women's Issues

Offers a safe, compassionate space for women navigating life's most meaningful and challenging experiences, including reproductive challenges, hormonal transitions, and beyond.

Bicultural Identity

Explores the tension of navigating two or more cultures simultaneously. It helps individuals integrate different cultural values while forming a cohesive personal identity.

LGBTQIA+

Provides identity-affirming support for individuals navigating gender identity, sexual orientation, and coming out. It addresses the specific societal and internal pressures faced by the community.

Intergenerational-Intercultural Communications

Addresses the unique friction that occurs when cultural shifts meet generational gaps. It helps families bridge the divide between traditional heritage and modern, multicultural realities.

I also incorporate Internal Family Systems–informed ideas when appropriate, especially when you feel pulled in different directions internally, struggle with self-criticism, or notice conflicting emotions. This work is approached with curiosity and compassion, honoring the protective roles different parts of you may have developed over time.

Working closely with bilingual and cross-cultural clients, I recognize how language, culture, family expectations, and life transitions shape emotional experiences and relationships. Therapy is a collaborative space where your cultural background and lived experiences are respected and integrated into our work.

I believe that people are dynamic rather than fixed, continuously shaped through meaningful life events and relationships. Treatment is paced and reflective, emphasizing psychological flexibility, emotion regulation, and values-consistent action.

The initial intake session (60 minutes) involves a thorough exploration of the client's current symptoms and level of functioning, as well as the broader context of their life, including family dynamics and interpersonal relationships. Based on this assessment, therapy goals and frequency are collaboratively discussed with the client.
Regular therapy sessions (50 minutes) typically occur once weekly or biweekly and can be flexibly adjusted according to the client's circumstances and needs. For clients who have difficulty visiting the center due to living outside the area or mobility challenges, telehealth appointments are available.

I require each partner to complete an individual intake session (60 minutes per person). This process helps us understand each partner’s needs and communication patterns while assessing safety and clinical appropriateness for couples therapy.
Once both of you have completed your individual intake sessions, we can proceed with an 80-minute couple's therapy session. We welcome international couples, LGBTQ couples, and biracial couples. Sessions are available in English or in a blend of Korean and English.

The initial intake session (60 minutes) involves a thorough exploration of the client's current symptoms and level of functioning, as well as the broader context of their life, including family dynamics and interpersonal relationships. Based on this assessment, therapy goals and frequency are collaboratively discussed with the client.

Regular therapy sessions (50 minutes) typically occur once weekly or biweekly and can be flexibly adjusted according to the client's circumstances and needs. For clients who have difficulty visiting the center due to living outside the area or mobility challenges, telehealth appointments are available.

I require each partner to complete an individual intake session (60 minutes per person). This process helps us understand each partner’s needs and communication patterns while assessing safety and clinical appropriateness for couples therapy.

Once both of you have completed your individual intake sessions, we can proceed with an 80-minute couple's therapy session. We welcome international couples, LGBTQ couples, and biracial couples. Sessions are available in English or in a blend of Korean and English.

Sessions are available:

• In-person

• Telehealth

• Hybrid (combination of in-person and online)

Q) What are your professional rates?

A) My rates range from ₩180,000 to ₩300,000 depending on the types of services.

Q) What are the payment methods?

A) We accept debit and credit cards, domestic bank transfers, and PayPal. Please note that PayPal payments are processed in USD, and session fees may be adjusted to account for international processing costs. Please inquire for more.

Q) Do you accept international insurance?

A) We can provide a Superbill for clients with international insurance coverage to submit for reimbursement at the end of each month. Payment is due in full at the time of service. Please contact your insurance provider directly to verify your coverage.

Q) Are sessions confidential?

A) Yes. As a U.S.-licensed psychologist, I adhere to strict confidentiality standards and practice in accordance with the California Board of Psychology regulations.

Q) Where is your office located?

A) Our office is conveniently located at Exit 9 of City Hall Station (Lines 1 and 2). Take the elevator to the 14th floor of Yuwon Building and proceed to Suite 1415.

Q)	What are your professional rates?
A)	My rates range from ₩180,000 to ₩300,000 depending on the types of services.

Q)	What are the payment methods?
A)	We accept debit and credit cards, domestic bank transfers, and PayPal. Please note that PayPal payments are processed in USD, and session fees may be adjusted to account for international processing costs. Please inquire for more.

Q)	Do you accept international insurance?
A)	We can provide a Superbill for clients with international insurance coverage to submit for reimbursement at the end of each month. Payment is due in full at the time of service. Please contact your insurance provider directly to verify your coverage.

Q)	Are sessions confidential?
A)	Yes. As a U.S.-licensed psychologist, I adhere to strict confidentiality standards and practice in accordance with the California Board of Psychology regulations.

Q)	Where is your office located?
A)	Our office is conveniently located at Exit 9 of City Hall Station (Lines 1 and 2). Take the elevator to the 14th floor of Yuwon Building and proceed to Suite 1415.

Inquiry		Consultation		Confirmation
E-mail: theo cean psy@gmail.com Website: www.theoceanpsy.com	>	Request Confirmation Consultation and Confirmation	>	Complete Consent Forms and Intake Questionnaire Pre-payment (within 24 hours of booking)