Edna B Foa

Edna B. Foa, Ph.D., is a Professor of Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania, where she serves as the Director of the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety. She is an internationally renowned authority on the psychopathology and treatment of anxiety. She approaches the understanding and treatment of mental disorders from a cognitive-behavioral perspective.

Her research, aimed at determining causes and treatments of anxiety disorders, has been highly influential. Foa is currently one of the leading experts in the areas of post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The program she has developed for rape victims is considered to be the most effective therapy for PTSD. She has published several books and over 200 articles and book chapters, has lectured extensively around the world, and was the chair of the PTSD work group of the DSM-IV.

Awards
Foa is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including:
 * The Distinguished Scientist Award from the Scientific section of the American Psychological Association
 * The First Annual Outstanding Research Contribution Award from the Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy (ABCT)
 * The Distinguished Scientific Contributions to Clinical Psychology Award from the American Psychological Association
 * Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
 * Exemplary Contribution to the Field of Psychology and Humanity Philadelphia Society of Clinical Psychologists
 * Exemplary Substance Abuse Prevention Program Award from SAMHSA/CSAP, CADCA, and NASADAD
 * Annual Signature Service Award from Women Organized Against Rape
 * Honorary Doctorate Degree of Philosophy by University of Basel

Research Interests

 * Development and evaluation of cognitive-behavioral treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress  disorder (PTSD), and social anxiety disorder (SAD)
 * Experimental psychopathology of anxiety disorders, especially post-traumatic stress disorder, social phobia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder
 * Dissemination of evidence-based treatment to mental health professionals in the community