John McKeown

Managing Director

John McKeown is a highly qualified Clinical Psychotherapist and Addiction Counsellor, who trained at the Guy’s, St Thomas’s and King’s School of Medicine in London. With over 38 years’ experience in the addiction and mental health recovery field, he has helped to develop many inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation clinics across the UK.

John ran a successful private practice in Harley Street, London, providing services to several premier league football clubs, working clinically and delivering education programmes. He was instrumental in setting up the first drug and alcohol rehabilitation project in the British prison system.

In 2007, John co-wrote a self-help autobiographical book with Paul Gascoigne (Being Gazza, my journey to hell and back). John, alongside actress Finty Williams, presents “The Wagon”, a podcast about mental health and addiction. Each episode has a special guest and is a unique story about what struggling with mental health can feel like, what being an addict means, what happens in treatment, and what recovery feels like.

More Articles

  • The hidden cost of always being ‘fine’

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    “How are you?” ….. “I’m fine.” Most of us understand that “How are you?” is often more of a greeting than a genuine invitation to…
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  • Trainspotting: The Musical and the launch of the Ibiza Calm Foundation

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    The launch of the Ibiza Calm Foundation marks an exciting new chapter. Through education, collaboration, and community initiatives, the Foundation aims to increase awareness, encourage…
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  • How hot weather affects your mood, sleep, and mental wellbeing

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    If you have noticed that you feel more anxious, more emotionally sensitive, unusually exhausted, or simply not quite yourself during periods of extreme heat, you…
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  • When self-care feels impossible

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    If looking after yourself continues to feel beyond reach despite your best efforts, it may be a sign that additional support is needed. With appropriate…
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  • Why emotional exhaustion is not always burnout

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    Emotional exhaustion can arise from a wide range of circumstances, including anxiety, depression, caregiving responsibilities, trauma, relationship difficulties, addiction, and prolonged life stress. Although these…
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  • Trainspotting: The Musical in London in support of the Ibiza Calm Foundation

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    On 23 July, Ibiza Calm will be attending a special performance of Trainspotting: The Musical at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London in support of…
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  • Loneliness in a hyperconnected world. Why real human connection matters more than ever

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    Human connection is a fundamental psychological need. It shapes how we experience ourselves, how we relate to others, and how we respond to life’s inevitable…
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  • Why do so many men only seek help at breaking point?

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    When people think about mental health difficulties, they often imagine someone who is visibly struggling, openly distressed and unable to cope with the demands of…
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  • Are you functioning or flourishing? Thriving or surviving? The hidden cost of high-performance living

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    Many people associate mental health difficulties with an obvious crisis. They imagine a point at which stress becomes unmanageable, relationships begin to break down, daily…
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  • Why environment matters in mental health recovery

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    Research continues to show that access to nature and green spaces helps reduce stress, supports emotional regulation, and improves overall wellbeing. Calm outdoor environments can…
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  • What meaningful mental health support should actually look like

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    Meaningful mental health treatment is not defined by a single therapy model or intervention. More often, it emerges through emotional safety, skilled clinical care, trusted…
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  • Ibiza Calm in Barcelona: Building connections in mental health and wellbeing

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    Today, Thursday 21st May, Ibiza Calm hosted an introductory lunch at Restaurant Windsor, bringing together professional contacts and respected colleagues from the fields of psychiatry,…
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You’re not alone on this journey.

The path to recovery starts with a small first step.