Our Team

Mari Sakano, MD, MSc

（Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist）

I am a Japan-qualified psychiatrist with over 20 years of experience specialising in child and adolescent mental health.

After graduating from Nippon Medical School and training in paediatrics at the University of Tokyo Hospital, I received a three-year scholarship at the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management, where I began combining my medical career with a commitment to public service. In 2010, I was selected as a parliamentary candidate in Japan to advocate for the most vulnerable children and families.

I later trained as a child and adolescent psychiatrist and joined the University of Tokyo Hospital to deepen my expertise in complex developmental and mental health conditions. In 2016, I moved to the UK to pursue an MSc in Child and Adolescent Mental Health at King’s College London (IoPPN), which expanded my international perspective and clinical approach.

In 2018, I set up Rainbow Forest Group (Rainbow Forest Clinic/Daycare Centre) in Japan, an unique mental health institution dedicated to supporting neurodivergent children and families.

In 2020, I set up the UK branch, Rainbow Forest Centre London, now operating as a limited company. We provide psychological assessments and therapeutic support for Japanese-speaking children and families living in the UK.

My mission is to make mental health care more culturally sensitive and accessible to migrant and minority communities—particularly those raising neurodivergent children across borders.

Qualification (registered in Japan):

Designated Psychiatrist (equivalent to a Section 12 approved psychiatrist)

Certified Psychiatrist (equivalent to a consultant psychiatrist)

Instructor Psychiatrist

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Board Certified Child Mental Health Medical Specialist

Certified Occupational Physician

Publications:

Sakano, M & Snowden, N. (2018), "Paving the way for the future of child and adolescent mental health in Japan", London Journal of Primary Care, 10: 4, 123-125, _cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b -136bad5cf58d_ https://doi.org/10.1080/17571472.2018.1483002

Sakano, M., Mukherjee, R. and Turk, J. (2019), "Behaviour and adaptive functioning in children and young people with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: a UK study", Advances in Dual Diagnosis, Vol. 12 No. 1 /2, pp. 62-72. https://doi.org/10.1108/ADD-10-2018-0016

Message:

As a parent of a child with SEND, I myself faced various challenges in transitioning school between countries. Although my son had received very supportive care in a SEND provision at school in Japan, I could not feel supported in the UK. The UK laws regarding parental responsibilities of attendance, exclusion systems which might exclude children with SEND, and a difficult pathway to the EHCP were all overwhelming for me. I also noticed that there were ineffective interventions and misunderstanding of children with SEND in the UK. I would like to create a place where a child and family can be accepted in a non-judgemental and empathetic way and where comprehensive and integrated assessments and therapies are accessible.

Yuki Kawakubo, MA, PhD

（Child Developmental Psychologist）

2003 Completed PhD at University of Tsukuba Graduate School

(Doctor of Physical and Mental Disability Studies)

2003-2018 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Neurology,

University of Tokyo Hospital and Department of Mental Development

Engaged in clinical and research mainly for developmental disorders from

infancy to adulthood

2003-2009 Part-time counsellor, Psychological and Developmental Education Counselling Office, University of Tsukuba

2006 Researcher, Intellectual Disability Department, National Center of Neurology

and Psychiatry

2016- Living in the UK

Qualification;

- Clinical Development Psychologist (Registration No. 01908)

- Certified Psychologist (Registration No.71554)

Affiliation Society; Japan Developmental Psychology Society, Japan Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Society

Message:

I have been impressed with cultural differences since I moved in the UK. In terms of the development of children and people's lives, the environment such as language and culture is substantially related to the personality of each person. Also, I believe that everyone has worries and anxieties in life or parenting because there is no correct answer. When you're feeling pain or difficulty in living, I'd be happy to help you with feeling easy and walking your own path.