Diane Langberg, Ph.D. - Co-Founder

Diane Langberg, Ph.D. is a practicing psychologist whose clinical expertise includes 35 years of working with trauma survivors and clergy. She speaks internationally on topics related to women, trauma, ministry and the Christian life. She is director of Diane Langberg, Ph.D. & Associates, a group practice in suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, staffed by Christian psychologists, social workers and counselors. The staff has expertise in many areas, including sexual and domestic abuse, addictions, depression and eating disorders. They work with adults, children and adolescents, and couples.

Dr. Langberg is a faculty member of Westminster Theological Seminary. She is the author of Counsel for Pastor’s Wives (Zondervan), Counseling Survivors of Sexual Abuse (Xulon Press) and On the Threshold of Hope: Opening the Door to Healing for Survivors of Sexual Abuse (Tyndale House). The latter two have been translated into Spanish and Portuguese. Dr. Langberg is a columnist for Christian Counseling Today and contributes to many other publications.

Dr. Langberg is Chair of the Executive Board of the American Association of Christian Counselors, serves on the boards of Ministry Wives Network International, GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in a Christian Environment) and the Society for Christian Psychology. Dr. Langberg is also a co-founder of The Place of Refuge, an inner city, non-profit trauma and training center. Dr. Langberg is the recipient of the Distinguished Alumna for Professional Achievement from Taylor University, the American Association of Christian Counselor’s Caregiver Award and the Philadelphia Council of Clergy’s Christian Service Award. She is married and has two sons.

Elizabeth Hernandez, M.A. - Director & Co-Founder

Elizabeth Hernandez, M.A. is the executive director of The Place of Refuge. She is very active as a consultant for urban faith-based organizations, with a specialty in trauma-based counseling. Her qualifications include 18 years of experience in the medical field with her last 12 years spent as a Senior Manager at Esperanza Health Center responsible for the Counseling/Therapy division, where she was responsible for coordination of special programs, management of counseling staff, fiscal planning and controls, and organizational oversight.

Ms. Hernandez holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s of Arts (Counseling concentration). She is a Doctoral Candidate in the area of religion and urban studies at Westminster Theological Seminary. This concentration emphasizes practical urban development research methods to establish best practices for meeting the needs of targeted communities. She authored Trailblazing in the Badlands of Philadelphia, published in Christian Counseling Today (1998), which provided information on best practices for counseling in one of the nation’s most at-risk communities.

Ms. Hernandez has presented seminars on counseling urban populations at Biblical Theological Seminary, Westminster Theological Seminary, Christian Community Health Fellowship (CCHF), the American Association of Christian Counselors World Conference (AACC), and Philadelphia Bible University. She has also given seminars on at risk youth. Ms. Hernadez is serving as a Track Leader for the 2007 AACC World Conference, and is in regular dialogue with local mental health organizations such as committees for youth at risk, and the Joseph J. Peters Institute.