zach raftery

Zach began studying psychology at UQ in 2007. After completing his undergraduate degree, Zach wanted to get some practical counselling experience straight away, so he got a job working as a counsellor at the Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre in Wacol. In 2012, Zach was released from prison to begin his Masters of Applied Psychology (Counselling Psychology) at UQ. It was during this degree where Zach discovered one of his key areas of interest- working with people affected by loss and grief. Under the supervision of Associate Professor Judith Murray, Zach's research explored the way in which people utilise social media when grieving.

After gaining his general psychologist registration in 2013, he worked clinically for a disability employment service, a not-for-profit child trauma service, a high school, and a theatre company. In 2014, Zach paused his clinical work to commence a PhD in Clinical Psychology at Griffith University, with his research exploring the impacts of social media on our health. He returned to clinical work in 2018, and has worked in private practice ever since. In 2026, Zach started GoodBlokes Psychology.

In addition to his clinical work, Zach has a genuine passion for teaching the next generation of psychologists. He has been a sessional academic at UQ for over a decade and has taught in the masters programs at UQ since 2017. In 2025, he took up a permanent position as a Teaching Associate in the School of Psychology at UQ. Zach currently teaches counselling, therapy skills and psychopathology in the Master of Clinical Psychology and the Master of Psychology degrees at UQ. He is a board-approved supervisor (STAP), and holds endorsements in both Clinical Psychology and Counselling Psychology. 

Zach practices client-centred psychotherapy and draws primarily upon process-based acceptance (ACT) and compassion (CFT) therapeutic frameworks. 

He is the husband of one amazing wife, legal co-owner of three needy children (two human, one retriever of gold). He enjoys rainforests, sushi, video games, sleep, dumplings, dogs, fireside chats, and the satisfaction that comes from a freshly mowed lawn.