The Asia Regional Online Community (ROC) was established in March 2023 to further the understanding of complex trauma and dissociation in Asia. It brings together ISSTD members across the region and supports the creation, discussion and dissemination of knowledge relevant to Asian contexts.
The current Executive Committee is comprised of Dr. Shekhar Seshadri as Chair, Dr. Prathama Raghavan as Chair-Elect, Dr. Hvovi Bhagwagar as Secretary, and Irawati Joglekar as Moderator.
Dr. Adithy served as the founding Chair from 2023 to 2024, with Dr. Seshadri as Chair-Elect, before Dr. Seshadri assumed the role of Chair for 2025-2026. Dr. Raghavan became Chair-Elect in 2026 and will serve as Chair during 2027-2028. Dr. Raghavan served as Secretary from 2023 to 2025, while Dr. Bhagwagar served as Secretary-Elect in 2025 and is Secretary for 2026-2027. Sukanya Ray served as Moderator from 2023 to 2025. Apoorva Vashisht began the 2026-2027 term as Moderator; following her resignation, Irawati Joglekar was appointed in July 2026 to complete the remainder of the term. The ROC is grateful for the time and commitment contributed by all its past and present leaders.
On 15 July 2026, the Asia ROC organised its first online Watch Party for members. Participants watched Naomi Halpern’s webinar, The Battle Within: A Parts Framework to Heal Internal Wounds and Conflicts, followed by an informal discussion. The gathering offered members an opportunity for shared learning, collegial conversation and reflection on the webinar’s relevance to clinical work in varied Asian contexts.
Former Moderator Sukanya Ray has generously offered to conduct a presentation for Asia ROC members. A session on parts work is being planned for early December 2026, with further details to be announced.
Four Asia ROC members – Dr. Adithy, Dr. Hvovi Bhagwagar, Dr. Gayitri Bhatt and Karishma Shah Savla – continue to serve as faculty for ISSTD’s Professional Training Program Level I course for mental health professionals in India. Following the completion of the first India-based course in 2025, the program is being offered again in 2026. The faculty and a course participant shared their experiences in the ISSTD News article, Reflections from the First ISSTD Professional Training Program in India. At the 2026 ISSTD Annual Awards, the four faculty members received the President’s Award in recognition of their work in developing and delivering the India-based program and expanding access to education in complex trauma and dissociation.
Asia ROC Secretary Dr. Hvovi Bhagwagar also received the 2026 David Caul Award for her doctoral thesis, Secondary Traumatic Stress in Psychotherapists in India. The award recognises outstanding work by a resident or trainee in the field of dissociative and complex posttraumatic disorders. Her research article, Echoes of Trauma: Experiential Insights into Secondary Traumatic Stress Among Psychotherapists, was published in the Journal of Trauma & Dissociation.
Asia ROC Chair Dr. Shekhar Seshadri has also been involved in an initiative addressing the impact of collective trauma in Manipur. The report, A Pilot Psychosocial Program for Conflict-Affected Children – Integrated Intervention Package for Reconciliation-Informed Child and Adolescent Mental Healthcare in Manipur, was shared with the Asia ROC community in May 2026.
The Asia ROC looks forward to creating further opportunities for learning, dialogue and professional connection among members across the region. ISSTD members based in Asia who are interested in joining the community are warmly invited to fill and submit this form. If you have any questios, please email the Secretary, Dr. Hvovi Bhagwagar (hvovi.bhagwagar@gmail.com). Members are also encouraged to invite eligible colleagues from across Asia to become part of the community.