Asian American Psychological Association (AAPA)

The Asian American Psychological Association (AAPA) was founded in December 1972 by a group of Asian American psychologists and other mental health professionals in the San Fancisco Bay Area. With the leadership of Dr. Derald Sue (AAPA’s first President) and Dr. Stanley Sue, the first core group was formed and included educators, social workers, master’s level psychologists and other mental health professionals. The group was vitally interested in Asian American psychology and mental health issues, in the training and education of Asian American mental health professionals, and in collaborating and networking with their peers. Psychologists in this early group included Roger Lum, Marion Tinloy, Tina Tong Yee, and Reiko True. From these beginnings in the 1970’s, the AAPA struggled in its growth from a handful of active members located in California to a national organization with nearly 400 members in 1995.