Edna B. Foa, PhD, is Professor of Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania and former Director of the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety.
Dr. Foa has devoted her career to the study of the psychopathology and treatment of anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). She is widely recognized as one of the leading experts in these fields.
Dr. Foa established a theoretical framework for understanding the psychopathology underlying these disorders. She also developed scientifically supported treatments and made significant contributions to clarifying the mechanisms through which these treatments produce change.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE), which Dr. Foa developed for individuals suffering from PTSD, is supported by a strong scientific evidence base and has been widely disseminated across the United States and around the world.
In recognition of her achievements, Dr. Foa has received numerous honors and awards and was named one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people.
Selected Honors and Awards
- Distinguished Scientific Contributions to Clinical Psychology Award, American Psychological Association (APA)
- Lifetime Achievement Award, International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
- Lifetime Achievement Award, Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
- 2010 Lifetime Achievement in the Field of Trauma Psychology Award, American Psychological Association
- Inaugural Outstanding Career Achievement Award, International OCD Foundation
