How Anise Health Addresses the Unique Mental Health Needs of the Asian Community

Stories

August 10, 2023

Anise Health is on a mission to improve mental healthcare for Asian Americans.

Recognizing the lack of health equity in the existing mental healthcare system, especially for people of color, Anise Health aims to create a positive change by offering culturally-responsive care.

Anise Health wants to make mental health care accessible and affordable for everyone. They work with different health plans and offer affordable plans for those who pay themselves. They have big plans to reach more people of color and support them in their mental health journey.

Anise Health believes that everyone deserves the care and support they need to live a happier and healthier life. Read through the inspiring insights from Anise Health in an interview with Asian Hustle Network.

Alice and Nisha, founders of Anise Health

ADDRESSING THE UNIQUE MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF THE ASIAN COMMUNITY

Anise Health is building the gold standard of mental healthcare for Asian Americans because there is an urgent need to advance health equity.

People of color are extremely underserved by the existing mental health care system, with 50% dropping out of therapy after just the first session. Specifically, 41% of Asian Americans experience current symptoms of depression and anxiety, yet only 30% report feeling supported today. The sharp increase in anti-Asian hate crimes compounded with the model minority myth means that the Asian community often suffers in silence, leading to devastating consequences such as Asian young adults being the only ethnic group with suicide as the leading cause of death.

Anise is on a mission to change these trends by creating a culturally-responsive digital mental health platform built by and for the Asian community. We’re humbled by the incredible results our clients achieve on our platform, including:

97% completion rate of the first 4 weekly sessions, which far exceeds the industry benchmark of outsized dropouts after the first session
95% of our clients report feeling heard or understood by their provider, demonstrating a strong therapeutic alliance between providers and clients
Net promoter score of 84 (46 points above the industry average), indicating unparalleled satisfaction with our provider curation and training

SPECIFIC CHALLENGES THAT INDIVIDUALS FACE WHEN SEEKING MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

Asian Americans experience unique stressors such as collectivistic family dynamics, bicultural tension living as a minority in a majority culture, pressure to achieve and perfectionism from reinforced narratives of self-sacrifice, intergenerational trauma from unhealed historical wounds, excessive shame and guilt leading to internalized self-criticism, rigid gender norms and relationship expectations, to name a few.

Our clinical advisory board comprises pioneering experts in the field who are leading evidence-based research to address these stressors and empower the well-being of the Asian community. We infuse their expertise into our care models and translate this information into digestible educational formats which are curated in our digital resource library.

DESTIGMATIZING MENTAL HEALTH

Anise normalizes mental health by delivering psychoeducational webinars and interactive workshops tailored to Asian Americans. Our clinicians lead these group services across a diverse range of topics for a variety of enterprise partners and schools, including Netflix, LinkedIn, Microsoft, and many more. We also host free community engagement programming with a large network of over two dozen nonprofit partners, as well as speaking at multicultural conferences and celebratory events.

For individuals seeking 1-on-1 services, Anise has developed care models that are clinically validated and culturally tailored, which research shows to be ~5x more effective than one-size-fits-all offerings. We are the only platform providing a holistic suite of services that integrate individual teletherapy, behavioral coaching, peer support groups, alternative medicine, and a curated library of self-service digital resources. Furthermore, our approach enables the accurate assessment of cultural stressors and personalization of care using machine learning technology. Anise’s proprietary clinical care model incorporates cultural adaptation along every step of the client’s journey from intake to blended treatment plans.

THE CULTURALLY-RESPONSIVE CARE MODEL

At Anise, culturally-responsive care means seeing a client as more than just a set of symptoms and diagnoses. Clients are seen as unique individuals whose racial and cultural contexts shape how they experience the world and how their needs are not being met.

Our providers are recruited for their deep expertise in culturally-responsive care and extensive experience supporting Asian clients. Once hired, providers are trained in our proprietary curriculum to explore clients’ intersecting identities and empowered in monthly consultation sessions, which offer providers their own space for connection and continued learning. In fact, our providers are diverse and maintain a wide range of ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, language capabilities, and therapy approaches.

Therapists and coaches work together as a dedicated team for clients, where the therapist helps the client navigate through psychological history and set concrete therapy goals, while the coach works with the client to achieve these goals. This empowers Asian clients to achieve lasting outcomes.

TESTIMONIALS

Anise Client – “Therapy had not worked for me before, but after meeting my Anise clinician I have regained confidence in the process and am excited to continue working with my therapist.”
Anise Clinician – “I found Anise’s clinical model to be such a culturally effective way to provide mental health services for clients and clinicians. Especially the way it incorporated coaching with therapy.”
Enterprise Partner – “I had never thought about burnout through the lens of cultural identity and how that may impact me. This session helped me understand deeper elements of what I was dealing with.”

ACCESSIBILITY AND AFFORDABILITY

Anise is in-network with Managed Health Network and Optum, and is in the process of contracting with several large health plans, in addition to accepting HSA and FSA benefits. For self-pay clients, Anise is affordable with subscription plans averaging $200 per month, nearly 1/4 the cost of average private practice rates in New York and California. For clients who want to supplement their holistic health, Anise offers clinician-led peer support circles along a variety of diverse themes at only $25 per week.

LOOKING IN THE FUTURE

We have ambitious growth plans to support the Asian community and people of color more broadly, which include expanding to more states, partnering with universities to support students, and offering our services as covered employee benefits for businesses. We are open to feedback and love piloting solutions with our community. Contact Anise Health’s Head of Growth, Angel Wang, for ideas at angel@anisehealth.co

CONNECT WITH ANISE HEALTH

Website: anisehealth.co

Instagram: @anisehealth

Linkedin: Anise Health

TikTok: @anisehealth

Facebook: Anise Health

News

The Price of Perception: What You’re Paying for in Luxury Goods

What makes a luxury product cost so much? The short answer is perceived value. But perception is a fragile thing: it shifts, it evolves, and when it does, things begin to get complicated.

Take a luxury handbag, for example. Whether it’s Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, or Hérmes, many of us are willing to spend thousands for that one beautifully crafted accessory. Why? Because we associate these brands with European sophistication, centuries of artisanal craftsmanship, and impeccable quality. We buy more than a bag; we buy into a story.

Now, imagine buying a bag labeled Made in China. If it’s affordable, you might not care. But if it has a luxury price tag? You might pause. The label alone could influence how you value the item.

The kicker is: Remember the bag you treasure from your favorite luxury brand? Based on the claims of factory workers and viral TikTokers, many high-end luxury products are manufactured in China, then shipped to Europe, to be relabeled and sold as European-made.

This controversial debate has sent the internet into a tailspin, asking: Are we paying for craftsmanship or the illusion of origin?

This is where soft power comes into play. It shapes how we see the world. We look at Hollywood movies and see the U.S. as a place filled with great dreams. We see the beautiful K-pop stars and K-drama idols, and we want Korean beauty products to fulfill our desire to be pretty like them. Customers don’t crave an expensive handbag because it’s objectively better; they buy it because of what luxury products emotionally and symbolically mean to them.

But in the wake of trade wars and rising consumer awareness, people are beginning to question the true value behind the price tag. Is it about where the product is made, or where we believe it’s made?

Whether this TikTok trend is a fleeting controversy or a wake-up call, one thing is certain: when perception changes, so do buying habits. And that could reshape the entire future of an industry.

https://www.tiktok.com/@sen.bags_/video/7494196205917097262?q=made%20in%20china&t=1745296877126

Apr 18, 2025
2 min read

Stories

How Deena Kong Is Rewriting Representation in Children’s Literature

Growing up Cambodian in North America, Deena Kong often felt invisible—a feeling that followed her from Canada to the U.S. and ultimately inspired her to write Grateful Being Me, a book to help children understand representation matters.

Deena Kong with her book Grateful Being Me (Photographed By: Jamie Sutera) — Deena Kong with her book Grateful Being Me *(Photographed By: Jamie Sutera)*

Seeing Herself in Stories

Growing up Cambodian in North America, Deena often felt invisible.

“I truly believed as a child that no one else could relate to these feelings I was experiencing,” she shares. “That’s why I wanted to share my story with others.”

Raised by supportive parents, Deena became a passionate reader, ultimately leading her to create a book that would help children from similar backgrounds see themselves represented.

“Representation matters,” Deena explains. “When a child wanders through a library or bookstore, they should be able to find themselves in the stories and pictures. I hope Grateful Being Me encourages self-acceptance, celebrates diversity, and promotes inclusion by empowering children to connect with one another.”

*Grateful Being Me (Photographed By: Jamie Sutera)*

The Making of Grateful Being Me

Finding time to write proved challenging while working full-time as a Government Contractor in Ethics & Compliance and raising a family. Yet Deena’s determination to promote diversity and inclusion kept her going until her book was ready for publication.

“Modeled after my real-life experiences, this book follows a young girl named Rosila on her adventure in an unfamiliar place,” Deena says proudly.

The story chronicles Rosila’s first day at a new school in a new country, where she discovers what makes her unique and learns the power of self-love.

“Rosila’s first language isn’t English, so her vocabulary stands out,” Deena notes. “She brings ethnic foods that seem unusual compared to typical American cafeteria lunches. The story captures her nervousness about how classmates will react as she navigates this new environment and makes friends.”

Through Grateful Being Me, Deena offers a powerful tool to help children understand they belong anywhere. The book thoughtfully explores the complex emotions children face when encountering unfamiliar situations, ultimately showing them that their uniqueness is something to be celebrated.

Connect

Instagram: @bydeenakong

Website: Deena Kong

Purchase your copy of Grateful Being Me on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, or Books-A-Million.

Apr 18, 2025
2 min read

News

‘This Moment Doesn’t Happen for Vietnamese American Girls Like Me’: Thuy’s Words Hit Home for Generations of Asians

Thuy has always been a proud Vietnamese at heart. In April 2024, Vietnamese American R&B artist Thuy made history at Coachella as the first official solo Vietnamese American artist to grace the well-known music festival. This year, a video clip of her Coachella speech has become widespread, sending out a powerful message to young Asian girls out there.

Thuy, a Vietnamese American R&B artist, shares empowering words for Vietnamese American girls. (Image source: PAPER Magazine)

Originally from the Bay Area, Thuy revealed that she grew up in a traditional family, hence, shaping her as a former optometric technician. However, weekend karaoke sessions with her family have brought her musicianship to life, sparking an interest that soon flourished. Taking a leap of faith and moving to Los Angeles (LA) for a music career, Thuy has proven to herself that the leap was a must, especially with the well-liked hit “girls like me don’t cry.”

Beyond her musical talent and captivating stage presence, Thuy’s performance at Coachella stands for something way greater—the well-deserved representation of Vietnamese Americans and Asian Americans in general. Her success challenges traditional expectations within Asian American households, where creative careers are discouraged due to the fear of instability associated with the jobs. Moreover, this is also a significant step forward in diversifying the music industry and amplifying underrepresented voices.

‘This moment doesn’t happen for Vietnamese American girls like me,” Thuy reflected during her Coachella performance. “I am so honored to be here today to be the first official solo Vietnamese American.”

https://www.tiktok.com/@thuyuniverse/video/7492153731891399978

Apr 17, 2025
2 min read

Blogs, Development

Is Your Homepage Welcoming or Driving Visitors Away?

Your homepage is like a party host—it either welcomes guests with open arms or sends them running for the exit. So, how can you ensure your homepage draws in visitors? Here are some tips:

Prioritize Essential Information

Modern users have short attention spans, so your homepage must prioritize essential information. Clearly state what you do, why visitors should care, and how you solve their pain points. The more straightforward this is, the less likely users will leave confused or frustrated.

Keep It Simple

Simplicity is key in navigation, layout, and messaging. While visitors may not convert immediately, an intuitive and engaging experience encourages them to explore further and return later. Avoid clutter, streamline choices, and guide users effortlessly to what matters most.

Build Confidence

Most importantly, your homepage must build confidence. People dislike feeling lost or unsure, so eliminate complexity. Use clear descriptions, trusted testimonials, and logical organization to make visitors feel comfortable and informed from the first click. A confident user is far more likely to stay, engage, and eventually convert.

Create Your Irresistible Homepage!

Why AHN Solutions?

A homepage carries a lot of significance and can make or break your website. Let AHN Solutions be your ultimate wingman, transforming your digital front door into an experience visitors will love to stay for.

Book a FREE call with us

If you want to learn more about our services, visit the AHN Solutions website at asianhustlenetwork.com/services/

Apr 17, 2025
2 min read