_edited_edited.jpg)
Our Team
Mari Sakano, MD, MSc
（Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist）
I graduated at Nippon Medical School and received my qualification as a physician in 2003. After being trained as a resident in paediatrics at Tokyo University Hospital, I obtained a three year scholarship program at Matsushita Institute of Government and Management. During those 3 years, I decided to work with the most vulnerable children both as a doctor and as a politician. I started my training as a child and adolescent psychiatrist in Tottori, where I was chosen as an MP candidate for the national election in 2010. Though unsuccessful in the election, I continued to work for desperate children as a psychiatrist. In 2015, I moved to Tokyo University Hospital to learn more about advanced clinical skills in child psychiatry. A year later, I travelled to the UK to study for an MSc degree in Child and Adolescent Mental Health at Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London. After successfully completed MSc, I returned to Japan and established my own private clinic, "Rainbow Forest Clinic" in Tottori in 2018. In 2020, I established the UK branch, "Rainbow Forest Centre London".
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
Certified Occupational Physician
Family: husband and two sons
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)
Affiliation Society; Japan Developmental Psychology Society, Japan Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Society
Family: husband and two sons
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.
