Celebrating Dr Luisa Searle – Clinician of the Year 2025

November 12, 2025 | IN NEWS | BY Kate Thorpe

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Congratulations to consultant psychiatrist Dr Luisa Searle, member of the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society Expert Committee, who has been named Clinician of the Year at the 2025 Cannabis Industry Awards. The award was presented and sponsored by British Cannabis, recognising excellence, innovation, and compassion in clinical practice.

A member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists with more than 15 years’ experience, Dr Searle has worked across general adult psychiatry, substance misuse and complex dual-diagnosis care. Her clinical approach bridges conventional and emerging therapies, with special interest in medical cannabis, nutritional psychiatry and psychedelic-assisted treatments for resistant depression and substance-use disorders. Dr Searle’s earlier work as lead consultant for substance-misuse services in Westminster and for Camden & Islington’s under-18 and under-25 programmes helped shape outreach pathways for vulnerable and homeless populations.

Now consulting independently through Mind Balance and Cantourage, Dr Searle continues to champion a holistic, evidence-informed model of care that integrates empathy, patient empowerment, and novel treatment modalities.

On receiving her award, Dr Searle told attendees, “When you keep empathy at the heart of everything you do, you can always find a way to help your patients on their journey.”

As an Expert Committee member of the Society, Dr Searle supports new and experienced members alike, sharing her insights to help clinicians practise confidently and safely in this evolving field.

The Society’s Chair, Professor Mike Barnes, congratulated her on the win, noting that “Dr Searle is a superb example of what good clinical care looks like – kind, thoughtful and always guided by evidence. Her award is well deserved and reflects the best of our community.”

The MCCS is the UK’s independent, not-for-profit network for healthcare professionals working with or learning about medical cannabis. With over 500 members, the Society provides CPD-accredited training, clinical guidance, peer support, and advocacy to improve safe patient access across the UK and beyond.

If you’re a clinician interested in understanding or prescribing medical cannabis, join the independent network trusted by regulators and led by experts.