Anka Behavioral Health, Inc. is one of California’s leading statewide behavioral healthcare and wellness corporation. We offer comprehensive services and programs designed to promote a client’s overall wellness and to attain an enhanced quality of life. We take pride in our team’s ability to develop innovative, client-responsive and community-based programs. Our best practice programs promote re-integration of a client back into the community.

Anka’s® mission is to eliminate the impact of behavioral health problems for all people.
This mission is centered in the firm belief that with proper care and support systems, even the most marginalized of people can improve their quality of life and be productive members in their communities. 

Anka Behavioral Health, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation headquartered in Concord, California.  Anka® has provided quality services throughout the state for more than thirty years. It operates programs using psycho-social rehabilitation and community-based models.  Anka Behavioral Health, Inc. has expanded its original mission—serving developmentally disabled children and adolescents—to include assisting people who are mentally ill. Specialized programs also serve adults, many of whom have substance abuse issues, the homeless mentally ill, and those who have been caught up in the criminal justice system. 

Anka® incorporated in 1973 as Phoenix Programs, Inc.  An emerging not-for-profit organization based in Concord, CA, its founders—a group of parents of developmentally disabled children and concerned community members—immediately began work to develop client-focused programs for children whose needs were not being met.  Over the years, the agency expanded services to serve other underserved groups, especially the mentally ill.  Gaining the ability to not only provide client-responsive services but also to also manage effectively and efficiently, Anka® merged with organizations that had vitally needed programs but lacked the management expertise to manage and grow their  programs.   As a result of its growth and success, the board of directors chose to change the agency’s name to Anka Behavioral Health, Inc. to avoid confusion with other like-named organizations, and in the process, adopt a unique company name that would become synonymous with “best practice,” “client-driven” and “effective”   This change became effective on July 1, 2006.  In 2007, the board of directors registered “Anka” as its trademark name to ensure that Anka® would always be associated with Anka Behavioral Health, Inc. and the agency’s many successful programs.
 
Today, Anka Behavioral Health, Inc. has grown into a strong vibrant organization that provides the highest quality care and treatment for the people it serves. While Anka® is a not-for profit California corporation, its management and operations are much like that of a major Fortune 500 company, reflecting its commitment to not only provide the most effective and efficient services but also serve as wise stewards of public and donated funds.  Anka® has received many national awards, state and local awards, has been featured on national television and has been listed in Forbes magazine.

We are committed to achieving our mission.  Testimonials from those whose lives our services impact continue to motivate us to this end.

Our Mission.
Anka® prides itself on innovation and creativity. Our mission is straightforward and to the point:  “Eliminate the impact of behavioral health problems for all people.”

Our Vision.
Our vision is to be recognized as the premier behavioral health care leader through best practice, cost-effective, client-centered services.

Our Values.
A  Attitude:   Passion, Ambition, Celebration, Tradition, Support
N  INnovation:  Fun, Imagination, Vision, Expertise
K  Knowledge:  Skills, Experience, Achievement, Learning
A  Astra:  Adaptability, Synergy, Team Work, Responsiveness, Attitude

Chris Withrow, Executive Vice President and Deputy Chief Executive Officer and has been in leadership roles in the behavioral health field for over 25 years. Throughout his career he has worked in private as well as public sector positions with a record of success in building organizations, and improving quality of care and productivity. He has been at the forefront of Anka Behavioral Health, Inc.’s more than 400% growth. 

Maryann has been with Anka Behavioral Health Services, Inc. for fifteen years and has been an essential part of the company’s rapid growth and expansion. She is energetic and passionate about her work. For past ten years she has managed Anka’s® IT Department, developing state of the art networking and communication systems for the company’s statewide operations. As Corporate Compliance Officer, she oversees all corporate office operations.

Charles Brigham, Senior Vice President of Clinical Services, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Policy and Practice. He brings to the company a wealth of knowledge and expertise in clinical management. Charles has worked in a variety of clinical settings in both the United States and Europe. He completed extensive training in family therapy at the well-known Milan Institute in Italy. He provides direction to staff in providing both residential and outpatient services including dual diagnosis, family therapy, EMDR, and Motivational Interviewing. Charles has brought another positive intangible to Anka, his invaluable coaching skills honed during his tenure in Europe as a professional basketball coach.

Mei-Li Hennen joined Anka in 2004 to oversee homeless services in the role of Vice President of Clinical Services.  Mei-Li has dedicated her career and work at Anka as an advocate to assist the organization in efforts to bridge the homelessness divide.  She is well-prepared for her role with over 15 years experience in project management and clinical services.  Her unique work history with leading nonprofit human service agencies and Fortune 500 companies has greatly enhanced the 20-plus programs Mei-Li oversees. She completed her Masters degree in Counseling Psychology at San Francisco State University and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Philosophy degree in clinical psychology.  It is her hope to further her skill set and knowledge base to better serve the organization and persons served at Anka.