HealthApril 14, 2026

Edna Foa and Prolonged Exposure: A Short Course for Learners

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Key Vocabulary

PTSD/ˌpiː.tiːˈes.diː/

Post-traumatic stress disorder, a condition after very frightening events

"He felt nervous after the accident and was checked for PTSD."

prolonged exposure/prəˈlɒŋd ɪkˈspəʊʒər/

A therapy that helps people face traumatic memories and reminders

"She tried prolonged exposure with a trained therapist."

manual/ˈmæn.ju.əl/

A written guide with instructions

"The therapist read the treatment manual before the session."

Listening

Edna Foa and Prolonged Exposure: A Short Course for Learners

Edna Foa was a psychologist who helped people with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. She developed prolonged exposure therapy, a treatment that asks patients to face feared memories and safe reminders step by step. She taught at the University of Pennsylvania and led the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety.

She died on March 24, 2026, in Philadelphia from complications of pneumonia. She was 88 years old. Her treatment manual was translated into nine languages, and many clinics around the world now use her therapy. Her research showed that facing memories can reduce fear and help people live better lives. Many therapists learned her methods from manuals and trainings.

111 words

Quiz

1. When did she die?

2. Where did she teach and lead a center?

3. How old was she when she died?

Reading Practice

Read the article from the Listening section aloud. Your AI teacher will give you pronunciation feedback.

Discussion

Do you think talking about a hard memory helps reduce fear? Why or why not?

Have you ever learned a step-by-step method to improve a skill? What helped you learn?

What do you think about doctors and therapists teaching the same method to many people?