Pioneering PTSD Therapist Edna Foa Dies at 88

Foa's exposure therapy approach revolutionized treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 10:56pm

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A ghostly, translucent x-ray photograph revealing the internal structure of a human brain with faint, glowing neural pathways, conceptually representing the complex inner workings of the mind and the process of confronting and overcoming traumatic memories.The pioneering work of psychologist Edna Foa helped revolutionize the treatment of PTSD by encouraging patients to directly confront their traumatic memories.Philadelphia Today

Edna Foa, an Israeli-American psychologist who developed the groundbreaking prolonged exposure therapy for PTSD, died on March 24 at the age of 88. Foa's innovative approach, which involved having patients directly confront their traumatic memories, became a widely adopted first-line treatment, particularly for veterans returning from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Why it matters

Foa's work fundamentally changed the field of PTSD treatment, moving away from gradual desensitization towards a more direct confrontation of traumatic memories. Her approach proved highly effective, leading to its widespread adoption by the Department of Veterans Affairs and other clinicians treating PTSD. Her death marks the passing of a pioneering figure who revolutionized the understanding and treatment of this debilitating disorder.

The details

Foa began developing her prolonged exposure therapy approach in the 1980s, after observing that gradual desensitization was often too slow to help patients with severe anxiety disorders. Her new protocol involved having patients recount their traumatic experiences in vivid detail over the course of 8-12 sessions, followed by real-world exposure to reminders of the event. While initially uncomfortable, this process helped patients overcome their sensitivity and correct distorted thinking about the trauma. Studies showed the approach was highly effective, leading the VA to adopt it as a first-line PTSD treatment by 2007.

  • Foa began developing prolonged exposure therapy in the 1980s.
  • In the 2000s, hundreds of thousands of veterans returned from Afghanistan and Iraq with PTSD symptoms.
  • In 2007, the Department of Veterans Affairs adopted Foa's approach as a first-line PTSD treatment.
  • By 2010, over 1,000 VA therapists nationwide had been trained in Foa's prolonged exposure technique.

The players

Edna Foa

An Israeli-American psychologist who pioneered the use of prolonged exposure therapy to treat PTSD, revolutionizing the field.

Joseph Wolpe

One of the pioneers of behavior therapy, whom Foa worked with early in her career.

Victor Meyer

A British psychologist who observed 'fear extinguishment' in animals, influencing Foa's work.

Barbara O. Rothbaum

The director of the Emory Healthcare Veterans Program, who collaborated with Foa on testing prolonged exposure therapy for rape survivors.

Patricia Resick

A professor emeritus of psychiatry at Duke who developed another commonly used PTSD treatment, cognitive processing therapy.

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What they’re saying

“She said it's better to just start at the worst and go through the whole thing.”

— Patricia Resick, Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry, Duke University

“She was highly competitive. And I think she had to be, because she had to force her way into a world that wasn't going to accept her. She did it. She's a giant.”

— Patricia Resick, Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry, Duke University

What’s next

Foa's pioneering work on prolonged exposure therapy will continue to shape the field of PTSD treatment, as clinicians build on her approach and explore new ways to help patients confront and overcome traumatic memories.

The takeaway

Edna Foa's development of prolonged exposure therapy represents a major breakthrough in the treatment of PTSD, moving the field away from gradual desensitization towards a more direct and effective approach. Her work has had a profound impact, particularly on the care of veterans, and will continue to influence the understanding and management of this debilitating disorder.