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 importance of sleep in mental health and addiction recovery

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    There is a strong, bidirectional relationship between sleep and mental health. Untreated mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are all…
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  • Why early intervention matters in mental health and addiction recovery

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    Learn why early intervention is key in mental health and addiction recovery, helping prevent escalation and supporting long term healing.
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  • Exploring our different programme types at Ibiza Calm

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    Every client’s journey into treatment is unique, and the right programme is the one that best reflects their needs and circumstances. At Ibiza Calm, our…
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  • High-functioning anxiety: The hidden struggle behind success

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    Perhaps the most powerful step for anyone living with high-functioning anxiety is to redefine what success means. True success is not built on sleepless nights,…
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  • What self-care really means in a fast-paced world; And 5 key areas to focus on

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    At Ibiza Calm, we believe self-care is far more than a buzzword. It is a vital, ongoing practice, especially important for those in recovery from…
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  • The spiritual side of Ibiza

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    Here at Ibiza Calm, we are often asked what it is like to run a world-class mental health and addiction treatment centre on a Balearic…
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  • Planes, trains and sobriety: A guide to travelling in addiction recovery

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    At Ibiza Calm, we understand that recovery is not just about what happens inside a treatment centre – it is about living life fully, and…
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  • When feelings fester: The mental health impact of bottling emotions

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    In today’s fast-paced world, emotional expression is often sidelined in favour of productivity, appearances, or perceived strength. Many people are conditioned from a young age…
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  • Substance abuse in veterans: The hidden wounds of war

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    Armed Forces Day in the United Kingdom, observed this year on Saturday, 28th June 2025, is a national event to honour and commemorate the dedication,…
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  • Love vs likes: Social media addiction’s impact on young relationships

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    In today’s world, where social media is instantly accessible and deeply embedded in daily life, concerns are growing around its potential impact on the social…
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  • Understanding chemsex: The dangerous intersection of sex and substance use

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    In recent years, chemsex has found attention in mainstream discourse. Chemsex refers to the use of certain psychoactive substances to enhance or prolong a sexual…
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  • The power of community in mental health recovery

    by

    John McKeown

    on

    May is recognised internationally as Mental Health Awareness Month, with various events, campaigns, and initiatives taking place worldwide. In the UK, Mental Health Awareness Week…
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You’re not alone on this journey.

The path to recovery starts with a small first step.