About John

Why might I be the right person for you?

When I became the court partner in a Glasgow city centre law practice at the unusually early age of 26, I was very successful in conventional terms, but not happy. I was poor at forming, maintaining or even understanding intimate relationships. I gradually came to understand that I was stuck in my head, disconnected both from my body and from my heart.

In my thirties, while continuing my professional life in the law [I remained a partner until 2019] , I started to get in touch with my body and my feelings through dance, tantra, psychotherapy, body-mind centering and other practices. I discovered the joy and aliveness of my body and my sexuality. I studied core process therapy and later gestalt psychotherapy for four years.

In 1990, I set up The Glasgow Zen Group, where, 35 years later, I continue to be the principal meditation teacher. Buddhism has significantly contributed to my holistic view of sexuality.

I really love to work with people who experience significant blocks to their capacity for sexual pleasure and intimate connection, because that’s what I experienced for much of my earlier life, and I understand the deadening effect it has. Lack of sexual fulfillment doesn’t necessarily manifest as unhappiness; it can appear as boredom, or repetition, or disconnection, or a sense that there must be ‘something more’. Even so, the point remains: if we are not happy in our sexuality, we are very unlikely to be happy with this one precious life we have. Which is a tragedy. A tragedy that can be resolved.

You can get more detail about my perspective from my free video courses Sexuality Maps and Sexual Confidence For Women

I truly believe that the performance focused picture we have of sexuality is the cause of a huge amount of avoidable pain, and I offer a genuine alternative to that.

I trained in Sexological Bodywork with Joseph Kramer, Deej Juventin and Uma Furman, qualifying in 2015. I set up my practice that year, and have since worked with many individuals and couples to awaken or rekindle their capacity for joy, connection and expression.

Since qualifying I have done further training, including Caffyn Jess’ Intimacy Educator Programme and  Betty Martin‘s inaugural  practitioner training in The Wheel Of Consent.

I think people are entitled to know the motivations of practitioners doing this kind of work. I have an emotionally rich life, a long term partner and wonderful relationships. I do this work because I love it and it’s inspiring and joyful for me to help you fully discover your sexuality, in all its aspects: healing and expanding through pleasure, connection and expression. This, and my meditation teaching, is my small contribution to this difficult stage in our collective history.

I understand that if you’re a woman it might seem quite a stretch to work with a male practitioner. But if you’ve been wounded by the toxic masculine, isn’t the most direct way to heal through the healthy masculine?

I’m plainly not for everyone. Which is why, prior to taking any money, I will have a detailed, free conversation with you [ideally in person here in Edinburgh, otherwise by telephone or Zoom; it’s your choice] so that, from an informed position, we’ll know if we’re a good fit.

Alongside my individual work I was the co-founder and co-director of The School Of Conscious Touch, which provided expert in person certified training in Scotland for people who wished to work professionally with sexuality in a way that was authentic to them. Two of my students now have thriving practices here in Scotland. I provide mentoring on a one to one basis for aspiring sexuality practitioners and supervision and collaborative creativity for those in practice.

I have written extensively about sexuality. You can find my articles here ,which give some idea of the scope and range of my work. I’d encourage you to explore these articles. They offer a fairly consistent – if unorthodox – perspective on sexuality, a contrast to the performative, orgasm focused mainstream view, which may resonate with you. If it does, let’s talk.

You can contact me here

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