EDNA B. FOA, Ph.D.

Professor of Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry
Director, Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety
Department of Psychiatry
Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

Dr. Foa is an internationally renowned clinical psychologist with over 40 years experience researching the causes and treatments of anxiety disorders, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). She currently serves as Professor of Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry as well as Director of the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety in the School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Among her other notable past positions, Dr. Foa has been on the faculty at several highly regarded institutions including the MCP Hahnemann University in Philadelphia, PA; Medical Research Council Applied Psychology Unit in Cambridge, England; University of Texas at Austin in Austin, TX; Institute of Psychiatry in London, England; and Temple University Medical School in Philadelphia, PA.

Dr. Foa is an esteemed member of many well-respected national and international organizations including, but not limited to, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, American Psychological Association, American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, John Morgan Society, OCD Foundation, and American Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, and American Psychological Society.

As a prolific scholar, Dr. Foa has authored over 150 peer-reviewed publications and numerous books written for scientific audiences as well as individuals with anxiety disorders. In addition, Dr. Foa has a distinguished record of editorial activities, including serving as on the editorial board for the Anxiety Disorders Practice Journal, Behavior Modification, Behavior Therapy, Clinical Psychology Review, Cognitive Therapy and Research, Journal of Abnormal Psychology, Journal of Anxiety Disorders, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, Journal of Traumatic Stress, Trauma, Violence & Abuse, and Adolescent Health, Medicine and Therapeutics.

Throughout her impressive tenure, Dr. Foa has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards and honors, including TIME Magazineʼs 100 Most Influential People in the World for 2010, the Lifetime Achievement Award in the field of trauma psychology from the American Psychological Association, the International OCD Foundationʼs Outstanding Career Achievement Award for which she is the first recipient, the ABCT Lifetime Achievement Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Connecticut Psychological Association, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, the Annual Signature Service Award from Women Organized Against Rape, the Exemplary Substance Abuse Prevention Program Award from SAMHSA/CSAP, CADCA, and NASADAD, the Exemplary Contribution to the Field of Psychology and Humanity Award from the Philadelphia Society of Clinical Psychologists, the Distinguished Scientific Contributions to Clinical Psychology Award from the American Psychological Association, and the First Annual Outstanding Research Contribution Award from the Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy. Moreover, Dr. Foa has received an Honorary Doctorate Degree of Philosophy from the University of Basel and the Distinguished Professor Award under the Fulbright Program with Yugoslavia and Israel from the Council for International Exchange of Scholars.

Dr. Foa received her Doctor of Philosophy degree in clinical psychology and personality from the University of Missouri in Columbia. In addition, she completed her Master of Arts degree in clinical psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Foa also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and literature from Bar Ilan University in Tel Aviv, Israel.