Zach Raftery
Clinical Psychologist & Counselling Psychologist
As humans, none of us are perfect. We all have strengths and challenges. When considering making an appointment with a psychologist, it’s common to have feelings of apprehension and uncertainty. Lots of questions might run through your mind. Am I crazy? Am I broken? Do I need this? Seeking psychology is never, ever a declaration of failure. It is a recognition of an inner desire to hope for something more – because we all have the capacity to improve.
Zach is a Clinical Psychologist & Counselling Psychologist & works Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays. He is currently not taking new clients. Zach’s mission is to provide a warm, safe, and empathic space for his clients to consider and explore positive and values-driven change.
SPECIAL INTERESTS
- Loss, grief, and bereavement
- Coping with changes in mood and adjustment to difficult life circumstances
- Burnout and stress
- Self-esteem, resilience, and self-image
- Interpersonal and social difficulties
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
Masters of Clinical Psychology & Masters of Counselling Psychology
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Zach works from a person-centred framework, guided by the principles of acceptance, safety, unconditional positive regard, and empathy. He draws primarily from the Acceptance and Commitment (ACT), Compassion Focused (CFT) and Cognitive-Behavioural (CBT) therapeutic modalities in his work with clients. Zach has a particular interest in working with clients who are struggling with grief and bereavement. He works with clients across the lifespan, including primary and high school aged children, students, parents, young adults and older adults. Zach has previously worked clinically in a variety of occupational settings, including schools, disability and employment services, corrective services, the performing arts, child mental health, and in private practice. When he is not working at our clinic, Zach teaches advanced counselling skills to students in the Masters of Psychology and Masters of Counselling programmes at UQ. Zach is also a board-approved supervisor (STAP certified) and he supervises provisional (trainee) psychologists who are completing postgraduate study. He enjoys sushi, rainforests, video games, sleep, dumplings, and dogs.