Recent national survey data suggest that lifetime prevalence of mental disorders are on the rise in South Korea while utilization of mental health services remains low. These results are disconcerting, and it is critical to find ways to increase access to mental health services and service utilization. One emerging solution is to provide psychological intervention via the Internet, and wide use of computer and mobile devices makes video-counseling a low-cost alternative to traditional face-to-face psychotherapy. In the current study, a total of 190 adults completed a questionnaire assessing the history of mental illness, experience with psychotherapy, and attitudes towards video-counseling, mainly focusing on treatment needs, future service utilization, effectiveness, and cost. Results suggest that participants endorsed the pros more strongly than the cons of video-counseling. Specifically, participants reported accessibility, privacy, and convenience as major strengths, and provider credentials and reduced confidentiality as major weaknesses. Limitations of the current study and recommendations for implementing online counseling service are further discussed.

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