Living Free is proud to announce that our Founder and Clinical Director, Dr Reshie Joseph, will be presenting his innovative trauma recovery framework at the upcoming National Counselling & Psychotherapy Conference (NCPC) Singapore 2025. His keynote, “Unlocking Trauma: A Diathesis-Stress Model for Resilience and Recovery,” will introduce a new way of understanding trauma recovery–shifting the focus from avoiding triggers to building true resilience through mastery of six key domains.
Why Trauma Recovery Needs a New Approach
For many years, trauma recovery has often been associated with the idea of avoiding triggers and eliminating stressors. While this may feel intuitive, it rarely works in practice. Stress and adversity are part of life, and attempts to remove them often leave people more vulnerable, disconnected, or reliant on unhealthy coping strategies.
Dr Reshie Joseph’s keynote challenges this belief. He will argue that recovery is not about avoiding triggers but about building the capacity to regulate, adapt, and grow in the face of them. This shift in perspective is key to achieving lasting trauma resilience.
Read more: Breaking Stigmas in Trauma Recovery: NCPC Singapore 2025
The Six Domains of Trauma Recovery
In his keynote, “Unlocking Trauma: A New Model Using Diathesis-Stress as the Key to Trauma Resilience and Recovery,” Dr Joseph introduces a six-domain framework that addresses the maladaptive patterns created by trauma and offers a structured path toward resilience:
- Event: Recognising the original traumatic experiences, whether major life-threatening incidents, ongoing psychological wounds, or complex trauma from repeated stress.
- Avoidance: Understanding how survivors push away reminders of trauma, often through overwork, isolation, or addictive behaviours.
- Arousal (Hyperarousal): Addressing the over-activated nervous system that can manifest as panic, insomnia, anxiety, or anger.
- Intrusion: Managing flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, and nightmares that replay past experiences as if they are happening again.
- Negative Cognitions: Transforming destructive thought patterns such as self-blame, hopelessness, or distrust into more adaptive beliefs.
- Somatoform Symptoms: Recognising the physical expressions of trauma, such as chronic pain, fatigue, or gut issues, that are often overlooked.
By systematically working through these six domains, individuals can move away from maladaptation and build true resilience. The model has already been validated in clinical practice, including a rehabilitation program in Australia, before being further developed at Living Free.
Read more: Are You Experiencing Hyperarousal?
From Theory to Practice
The six-domain model integrates insights from behavioural, cognitive, and somatic psychology, as well as neuroscience domains such as the autonomic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis). It provides a structured, manualised framework that therapists and clients can apply in both individual and group settings.
The Significance of NCPC Singapore 2025
National Counselling & Psychotherapy Conference Singapore 2025, themed “Breaking Stigmas, Transforming Growth”, is one of Asia’s premier gatherings for advancing mental health practice. With over 14 international speakers, 8+ expert sessions, and 300+ participants, the event provides a unique platform for dialogue, learning, and innovation.
For Living Free, Dr Joseph’s invitation to speak is both an honor and an affirmation of the institute’s mission: to pioneer evidence-based, trauma-informed care that combines science with compassion.
Read more: Reshie Joseph to Present New Trauma Recovery Model at NCPC 2025
About Dr Reshie Joseph
Dr Reshie Joseph, MB ChB, MSc, began his career as a medical doctor before retraining as a counselling psychologist. With an MSc in Psychology and the Neuroscience of Mental Health from King’s College London, he has worked in Singapore’s criminal justice psychiatric team and as Head Counsellor at The Cabin Addiction Services Group.
In 2017, he founded Living Free, where he integrates trauma-informed psychotherapy with innovative clinical models such as EMDR. He is also the author of A Beginner’s Guide to Trauma, a book that blends his professional expertise with his personal journey of recovery. Today, he practices in Singapore and Bali, offering therapy and training rooted in both neuroscience and empathy.
About Living Free
Living Free or known as Living Free Institute is dedicated to helping individuals and communities heal from trauma, strengthen resilience, and transform suffering into recovery. Through psychotherapy, training, and resources, Living Free provides compassionate, evidence-based pathways for long-term healing and emotional wellbeing.
Looking Ahead
As Living Free prepares for NCPC Singapore 2025, we are excited to see Dr Reshie Joseph’s six-domain model for trauma recovery presented to a global audience. His keynote will challenge traditional assumptions, inspire new approaches, and offer a practical roadmap for resilience in a world where stress is inevitable.
Stay connected with Living Free for more updates from the conference and insights into trauma-informed care.
Read more: Psychological Trauma: Symptoms, Causes, and How to Heal