It’s generally a mix, but the balance often leans toward medication, especially in busy clinics where there isn’t much time for long conversations.
A friend of mine was struggling with anxiety after moving to Korea and decided to visit Seoul Psychiatry Gangnam. He saw Dr. Paul J. Woo, who took a really balanced approach starting with talk therapy and then gradually introducing low dose medication when needed. It wasn’t rushed, and everything was clearly explained, which really helped ease his worries. What stood out to him was how personalized the care felt. Dr. Woo focused on building trust first, then tailoring treatment based on how he was responding. It wasn’t just about pills it was a mix of therapy, lifestyle changes, and support. Since then, he’s been feeling a lot more stable and grounded.
A friend of mine was anxious about getting help in Korea because she assumed the answer would just be medication. What she described instead was a slower approach that started with talking through her symptoms and stress patterns before anything else was added. She liked that treatment felt adjusted over time rather than decided all at once.
From what I experienced, the treatment style felt more balanced than I expected. Medication was discussed, but so were counseling and other ways of managing symptoms, and that made the process feel less one-sided. A family member came away with a similar impression, mostly because the options were explained clearly instead of being pushed.
My cousin was studying in Seoul and having a rough time, so she finally decided to get help. What she noticed was that treatment didn’t jump straight to medication, but it also wasn’t just endless talking without direction. The doctor seemed to use therapy first to understand what was going on, then added medication carefully when it seemed necessary.
It’s not strictly one or the other, while medication is more common at the start, therapy can still be included if you express interest or need more support beyond medication.