03/28/2026
In Tribute to Edna B. Foa, PhD
The Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety (CTSA) mourns the passing of our founder, mentor, and guiding force, Edna B. Foa, Ph.D.
Edna was far more than an internationally renowned scientist and clinician: she was the heart of CTSA. Through her brilliance, determination, and unwavering belief in the power of evidence-based care, she transformed the understanding and treatment of anxiety-related disorders and changed the lives of countless individuals and families around the world.
As a pioneer of exposure-based therapies, Edna was fearless in challenging convention, tireless in her pursuit of scientific rigor, and deeply compassionate toward those who suffered. She held us to the highest standards while inspiring curiosity, humility, and courage. For many of us, she was not only a teacher and supervisor, but a lifelong mentor whose influence shaped our careers, our clinical practice, and our values.
Edna built CTSA as a place where science and humanity coexist: where patients are treated with dignity, clinicians are trained with care, and research is conducted with integrity and purpose. That mission endures because of her.
We will honor Edna’s legacy by continuing the work she devoted her life to: advancing science, training future generations, and helping people reclaim their lives from fear.
She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.