Abstract

One of the three key elements of evidence-based practice (EBP) includes the expertise of psychological service providers. The qualifications that define these service providers determine the quality of evidence-based psychological services. In Korea, numerous private psychological service qualifications have been inadequately regulated, leading to the provision of non-professional and unethical psychological services to the public. This study aimed to examine private psychological service qualifications in Korea, analyze their specifics including service types and training requirements and compare their regulatory status and prerequisites with those in other countries. The findings revealed that qualifications in South Korea encompass a range of psychological services extending beyond psychotherapy and counseling and are designed to provide psychological services to vulnerable populations such as children and individuals with mental illnesses. However, most psychological service qualifications in Korea were found to specify insufficient education and training requirements, as compared to those regulated in other countries. These findings highlight the urgent need for the legal regulation of private qualifications and the formulation of comprehensive legislation for psychological services with the context of Korean mental health.