Public InterestFeatured Psychologist: Derald Wing Sue, PhD
Born in Portland, Ore., Dr. Derald Wing Sue is the son of parents who emigrated from China. Early childhood memories of being teased due to his ethnicity lead to his fascination with human behavior. His deep interest and passion led him to becoming one of the most prominent voices in cross cultural studies. With over 150 publications under his belt he is the most cited Multicultural Scholar today.
He received a bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University, and a PhD in counseling psychology from the University of Oregon. The Civil Rights Movement sparked an interest in him and was the foundation for his interest in multicultural studies. Sue, along with his brother, and fellow psychologist, Dr. Stanley Sue wanted to emphasize the importance of understanding the culture of Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders, making sure that they too received attention and accurate mental health services. In 1972, Sue co-founded the Asian American Psychological Association (AAPA) with his brother Stanley Sue. Both brothers felt there was a need for others to understand the experience of Asian-Americans and this was the beginning.
Currently, Sue is a professor of psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University. Aside from his interests in multicultural counseling and diversity training he is the recipient of countless awards and honors such as The Society for the Psychological Study of Ethnic Minority Issues with the Mentoring and Leadership Award. He held numerous positions throughout the APA, including president of Division 45, Society for the Psychological Study of Culture, Ethnicity and Race. Sue has written several books, including "Microaggressions in Everyday Life: Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation," "Counseling the Culturally Diverse: Theory and Practice" and "Overcoming Our Racism: The Journey to Liberation."