About Zach Cairns
Who I Am
I’m Zach, a BABCP-accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist in Cheadle Hulme. I support adults, young people and families, with nine years of experience in residential children’s homes, community mental health and private practice.
My approach is compassionate, collaborative and evidence based. I shape therapy around each person’s experiences and needs, including neurodiversity-affirming adaptations for Autistic people and people with ADHD.
I am BABCP accredited. The BABCP register is accredited by the Professional Standards Authority. Check the CBT Register.
🌱 My Therapeutic Philosophy
Across my work in different sectors, one thing has always stood out: therapy only works when it is shaped around the individual. My focus is to make every aspect of therapy genuinely tailored to your needs, while grounding the work in evidence‑based practice. This is especially important for neurodivergent individuals, who are often expected to fit into therapeutic models that were never designed with their experiences in mind.
Through my clinical experience, I’ve seen how taking time to understand each person’s communication style, sensory needs and processing preferences can transform therapy from something overwhelming into something accessible and effective. My aim is to create a space where therapy adapts to you—not the other way around—so you can engage with support in a way that feels safe, respectful and meaningful.
🧩 My Clinical Experience
Working in residential children’s homes helped me develop practical approaches that support young people’s communication, learning styles and emotional regulation. A key part of this work involved helping families understand these needs in a clear, actionable way so they could build routines and relationships that supported growth and stability. Seeing how meaningful change could happen when the right support was in place inspired me to continue this work within CAMHS.
In Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, I combined these skills with CBT formulation and evidence‑based interventions to support young people with complex mental health needs, including those who were neurodivergent. The work was not only individual but also systemic, involving close collaboration with schools, social workers and families to ensure that support was consistent across all areas of a young person’s life. This experience deepened my understanding of how mental health difficulties develop, how systems influence wellbeing and how important it is to understand the root causes, not just the symptoms.
I also saw the limitations of public healthcare, where time, resources and service pressures can mean that therapy is cut short or cannot be delivered at the pace someone truly needs. This is one of the reasons I moved into private practice. My experience across these sectors allows me to offer genuinely person‑centred care that is not restricted by external pressures. I can work at your pace, focus on your values and strengths, and tailor therapy to your goals in a way that feels meaningful, sustainable and grounded in evidence.
How I Work
I offer a calm, predictable and supportive space where you can explore your experiences at a pace that feels right for you. Therapy is a partnership: we work together to understand what is happening, identify patterns that may be keeping difficulties going, and develop practical ways forward.
My practice is grounded in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Where helpful, I also draw on ideas from Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and DBT-informed skills.
I take time to understand how each person thinks, communicates and processes experiences. Adjustments to pace, materials, communication and sensory needs are available to everyone, with neurodiversity-affirming adaptations for Autistic people and people with ADHD where relevant.
Training & Professional Background
I hold:
- BSc Psychology
- MSc Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy
- Specialist training in CBT for Autism and ADHD and DBT skills
I am fully accredited with the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP), which means my practice meets national standards for CBT training, supervision and ethical care.
Where I Work
I offer in-person therapy at 11 Station Road, Cheadle Hulme, SK8 5AF, welcoming people from Stockport, South Manchester and further afield. Online sessions are also available where appropriate.
The room is quiet, with low-level lighting and wheelchair access via a lift. You are welcome to bring sensory supports that help you feel comfortable. Parking is free for three hours at ASDA next door.
What You Can Expect
- A warm, structured and collaborative approach
- Clear goals and shared decision-making
- Adaptations that support your communication and processing style
- Practical tools you can use between sessions
- A focus on making sense of your experiences with care and understanding
Therapy is always tailored to your needs, whether you’re seeking short-term support or longer-term work.
Confidentiality, Safeguarding & Data Protection
Confidentiality and safeguarding
We discuss confidentiality and its limits at the beginning of therapy. With young people, we also agree how parents or carers will be involved, taking account of the young person’s needs and safety.
Information will not normally be shared with a third party without explicit consent. Information may be disclosed where required by law or where there are serious safety or safeguarding concerns, including risk of serious harm, abuse or neglect, court proceedings or relevant insurance requirements.
Looking after your information
I collect information needed to provide therapy and keep brief clinical records. Physical records are kept securely, and electronic records are password protected; session notes are held in WriteUpp. Access is limited to me and any necessary administrative support who is bound by confidentiality.
Clinical notes are normally retained for seven years after therapy ends; for young people, they are retained until age 25 where this is longer. You can ask about your data, access or correction, subject to legal and professional record-keeping duties. The therapy agreement explains recording, transcription, retention and your rights in more detail.
I hold full professional indemnity insurance. My practice is not an emergency service, and messages are not monitored continuously.