Agenda
7 October 2025

09:00 am – 5:00 pm

9:00 AM

Introduction by Chairperson

9:10 AM
Supporting Clients in Narcissistic/Antagonistic/Emotionally Abusive Relationships: Applying an Antagonism-Informed Framework

Many clients in relationships characterized by invalidation, contempt, dismissiveness, betrayal, control, and manipulation with partners who may present to the world as successful, charismatic and even gregarious experience a range of psychiatric and psychosocial fallout including confusion, rumination, regret, helplessness, self-blame, self-doubt, hypervigilance, apathy, negative mood states such as anxiety, and physiological impacts as well.

The standard approach of “shared responsibility” in relationships can often reinforce the cycle of self-blame, loss of individuation, and decision “stuckness” clients often struggle with in these relationships.

This session will cover:

  • Understanding the constructs of narcissism and antagonism and how these dynamics show up in relationships.
  • The fallout of narcissistic dynamics in close relationships.
  • The tenets of an antagonism informed model when working with clients experiencing narcissistic relationships

 

The keynote will be a custom recorded session followed by a LIVE Q&A with Dr. Ramani who will answer audience questions in real time

Speaker:

Dr. Ramani Durvasula

Dr. Ramani Durvasula

Clinical Psychologist & Author

10:00 AM

Leading with Psychological Safety: A Foundation for Workplace Mental Health

Psychological safety can form the bedrock of mental well-being; especially in the workplace, enabling open communication and risk taking amongst teams and colleagues.

This session will cover: 

  • Understanding psychological safety and what it is
  • Encouraging open conversations and reducing stigma in the workplace
  • Empowering leadership behaviours to build trust and improve engagement

Speaker:

Michelle Mah

Michelle Mah

Psychotherapist & Coach

Rebalance Training & Consulting

10:50 AM

NETWORKING & COFFEE BREAK

11:15 AM

Unlocking Trauma: a new model using Diathesis-Stress as the Key to Trauma Resilience and Recovery

Challenge the belief that trauma recovery depends on removing all stressors and triggers. Instead, it introduces a practical clinical model that embraces the inevitability of stress and focuses on building resilience through six key domains of the trauma response. The approach is grounded in neuroscience and has been successfully applied in a structured rehab setting in Australia.

This session will cover:

  • Why avoiding triggers doesn’t lead to long-term trauma recovery
  • An overview of the six domains involved in trauma resilience
  • A practical model for working with trauma in clinical and therapeutic settings

Speaker:

Reshie Joseph

Reshie Joseph

Practising Psychotherapist and Clinical Director

The Living Free Institute

11:45 AM

From Stigma to Support: Reframing Mental Health in the Singapore Context

Deep dive into how cultural, societal, and workplace stigmas around mental health impact individuals and communities in Singapore.

This session will cover:

  • Factors influencing help-seeking attitudes and behaviours 
  • Provide strategies for professionals to challenge misconceptions and promote mental health awareness. 
  • Reshaping help-seeking attitudes and behaviours inside and outside of the therapy office

Speaker:

Dr. Jessie Chua, PsyD

Dr. Jessie Chua, PsyD

Lead Psychologist

University Wellbeing Office, Nanyang Technological University

12:35 PM

LUNCH 

1:35 PM

Smarter Support: The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Transforming Treatments & Therapies

AI is here to stay. Used correctly, it can be a win for everyone in the ecosystem; therapists, clients and caregivers.

This session will cover:

  • How to mitigate the risk of therapists being replaced by AI
  • Research findings on the use of chatbots for mental health support
  • Harnessing AI in therapy practice

Speaker:

Sarah Poh

Sarah Poh

CEO

The Therapy Platform Pte Ltd

2:25 PM

He Said, She Said: Couples Therapy For Intercultural or Interracial Relationships

Discover into how culture shapes emotional expression and how counsellors can help intercultural couples build a shared vision of love by adopting Western models of couple therapy to suit their needs.

This session will cover:

  • How to help couples uncover, and translate, the cultural meaning behind their behaviours, as well as move toward their ideal of a “self-actualizing relationship”
  • Practical strategies for helping couples co-create a relationship model that honours both their cultural roots and their shared goals
  • Respectfully adapting evidence-based tools, like the “softened start-up” and “bids for attention,” for clients who value harmony, indirectness, or non-verbal care

Speaker:

Qi Zhai-McCartney

Qi Zhai-McCartney

Psychotherapist & Counsellor (Member SAC, BACP)

Seeing Qi Therapy & Coaching

3:15 PM

NETWORKING & COFFEE BREAK

3:45 PM

Leveraging Group Process, Peer Forums, and Coaching Circles for Holistic Mental Health

Exploring how therapists and HR leaders can utilise these tools to foster resilience and support through peer-supported environments, positively impacting the entire organisation.

Speakers:
Nick Jonsson

Nick Jonsson

Managing Director

EGN Singapore

Dr Richard Lim

Dr Richard Lim

Clinical Psychologist

4:35 PM

[Panel]

Wired Minds & Social Ties: Navigating Neurodevelopment and Peer Dynamics in a Digital World

In today’s hyper connected world, digital interactions and online social behaviours have an outsized impact on emotional growth and peer dynamics and engagement of children and young adults.

This panel will:

  • Explore how the constantly evolving digital environment affects cognitive and social development amongst children and young adults
  • Highlight the challenges and opportunities that come up with growing up online and strategies for fostering healthy peer relationships, mitigating online risks
  • Digital & IRL tools to support and guide cognitive development for young minds and get them future ready

Panellists:

Michelle Ngiam

Michelle Ngiam

Founder & CEO

MEURAKI Pte Ltd

Dr. Kimberly Chew

Dr. Kimberly Chew

Clinical Psychologist & Founder

AO Psychology

4:55 PM

Closing Remarks