Edna B. Foa

Edna B. Foa was a clinical psychologist recognized for her contributions to the understanding and treatment of trauma and anxiety disorders. As a professor of clinical psychology in psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania, Foa also served as director of the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety, a program she founded. Her academic work focused on the psychopathology and treatment of anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and social phobia. Foa earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and literature from Bar Ilan University and a doctorate in clinical psychology and personality from the University of Missouri.

Foa developed prolonged exposure therapy, an evidence-based intervention for PTSD that encourages patients to revisit memories, feelings, and situations associated with trauma. This approach, initially met with skepticism, became widely adopted as research demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing fear and improving functioning. Foa also played a key role in establishing exposure and response prevention (ERP) as a standard treatment for OCD, contributing to the advancement of cognitive-behavioral therapy in clinical psychology.

Her research included the development of theoretical frameworks for understanding anxiety disorders, the creation of targeted treatments, and the study of treatment mechanisms. Foa chaired the DSM-IV subcommittee for OCD and co-chaired the DSM-IV subcommittee for PTSD. She maintained a clinical practice throughout her career, integrating patient care with research to address practical challenges in mental health treatment. Foa’s publications include "Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD: Emotional Processing of Traumatic Experiences," "Effective Treatments for PTSD: Practice Guidelines from the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies," and "Mastery of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Cognitive-Behavioral Approach." She authored more than 20 books, translated into several languages, and published over 300 articles in the field of psychology.

Foa received recognition from professional organizations, including the Distinguished Professor Award under the Fulbright Program for International Exchange of Scholars, the Distinguished Scientist Award from the American Psychological Association's Society for a Science of Clinical Psychology, the Outstanding Research Contribution Award from the Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy, the Distinguished Scientific Contributions to Clinical Psychology Award from the American Psychological Association, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. She was named to Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people. Foa also worked to disseminate prolonged exposure therapy internationally, including training clinicians in Israel. Her legacy continues to influence the treatment of PTSD, OCD, and anxiety disorders in clinical psychology and mental health care.