Founded in 1979, ADAA is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention, treatment, and cure of anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and co-occurring disorders through education, practice, and research.

ADAA's mission. ADAA focuses on improving quality of life for those with these disorders. ADAA provides education about the disorders and helps people find treatment, resources, and support. More than 11 million people visit ADAA's website each year - from all across the globe.  ADAA strives to improve patient care by promoting implementation of evidence-based treatments and best practices across disciplines through continuing education and trainings and accelerating dissemination of research into practice. ADAA promotes scientific innovation and engages a diverse network of basic and clinical anxiety and depression researchers and providers encouraging the implementation of new treatments to clinicians. These commitments drive ADAA’s promise to find new treatments and one day prevent and cure these disorders.

ADAA is about people. Our passion is helping people understand the disorders, find treatment, and recover. We educate people about all scientifically supported treatments so they can make informed decisions to best meet their individual needs. We support professionals who provide treatment and those who conduct research. We invest in the future by encouraging students and trainees.

ADAA is unique. Our commitment to diversity and inclusivity brings together clinicians and researchers with diverse backgrounds in medicine, psychology, social work, counseling, nursing, neuroscience, genetics, epidemiology, and other disciplines to advance science and treatment. We engage those who suffer from these disorders to work together toward our goals.

ADAA is evolving. We started more than three decades ago as The Phobia Society of America. We have incorporated scientific knowledge and understanding. We have expanded to include anxiety and mood disorders,depression, OCD, and PTSD. We have adapted to challenges in economics, business, leadership, and the digital world.

ADAA supports public health.  ADAA is leading the way, improving the lives of millions of children and adults and promoting professional and public awareness of anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and co-occurring disorders.

ADAA encourages the advancement of scientific knowledge.  ADAA works with its mental health professional member base and the broader scientific community to share current research and treatment.

ADAA links people. ADAA connects people to our member health care professionals who provide treatment and support.

ADAA works to reduce the stigma.  Through education, outreach and special programs, ADAA is focuses on reducing the stigma surrounding depression, OCD, PTSD, and co-occurring disorders.

Diversity and inclusiveness has been and continues to be a core value of ADAA. Our commitment to be a culturally diverse membership organization is founded on the principle and practice of prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, disability, sex, age, sexual orientation, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity or expression. To this end, ADAA is committed to providing an environment at all levels in which our diverse members can learn, network, and share information freely with their colleagues. 
 
ADAA continues its commitment to diversity and inclusion by eliminating bias in every aspect of our conference and webinar participant selection process. All complete and qualified submissions are considered for presentation without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other similar basis.