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 value of stepping away to support your mental health

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    Deciding to take time out for mental health is not always easy. It may come with uncertainty, particularly when life appears to be continuing as…
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  • High-functioning drinking & why it often goes unnoticed

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    High-functioning drinking is not a formal clinical diagnosis. It is a term often used to describe individuals who appear to function well in their personal…
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  • Recognising when stress is no longer manageable

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    Stress can become normalised, particularly in environments where high levels of responsibility are expected. It is common for individuals to minimise their experience or assume…
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  • Why bipolar disorder is often misdiagnosed

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    Understanding why bipolar disorder is often misdiagnosed can help reduce frustration, support earlier intervention, guide individuals towards more appropriate, effective care, and improve overall wellbeing.
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  • Protecting your mental health in the age of constant news

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    Whilst staying informed about world events is important, constant engagement with distressing information can have a significant impact on psychological wellbeing.
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  • When university becomes overwhelming: Supporting student mental health

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    University marks a profound shift. Young adults move away from home, manage finances, organise their schedules, and navigate complex social environments, often for the first…
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  • Eating disorders awareness week 2026: The power of community in eating disorder recovery

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that can affect people of any age, gender, background or body size. They are not a lifestyle choice,…
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  • Menopause and mental health – Understanding the psychological impact

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    Some women move through menopause with relatively mild disruption. Others experience profound shifts in mood, anxiety levels, sleep, concentration, memory, and self-confidence. These changes can…
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  • When love and attachment become painful

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    When attachment becomes compulsive rather than supportive, relationships may shift from sources of comfort into sources of ongoing distress. Love can begin to feel painful,…
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  • Why supporting parents supports families (Parent Mental Health Day)

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    Parent Mental Health Day (PMHD), marked on 30 January, offers an opportunity to reflect on the role parental wellbeing plays within families. Mental health difficulties…
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  • Mid-January clarity? When Dry January reveals a deeper issue

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    Mid-January can be a moment of clarity rather than failure. Alcohol and many drugs affect the brain systems responsible for reward, stress regulation, and emotional…
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  • Red January and the power of movement for mental health

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    Red January offers a compassionate way of approaching change at the start of the year, encouraging people to engage in daily movement as a means…
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You’re not alone on this journey.

The path to recovery starts with a small first step.