WHO WE ARE
The Founders
The Hermitage Philadelphia is operated by Elizabeth Seeley and Lois Volta. Over the past three years, they’ve dedicated every spare moment to their mission: to create a warm, welcoming environment in which to offer wellness and support services to the mental health and human service professionals of Philadelphia. With personal and external investments totaling $25,000 to date, they've been able to procure architecture and landscape architecture plans, establish The Hermitage Philly as a 501c3 (Nonprofit), and establish a digital presence. All while developing a support and partner network including legal and architectural consultants, local city council, city park organizations, and public health services.
Elizabeth M. Seeley, LCSW
Elizabeth M. Seeley, LCSW has been providing community mental health services to vulnerable populations in Philadelphia since 1999. In her current role as Chief Clinical Officer of WES Health System, Elizabeth is responsible for oversight of all clinical initiatives, clinical operations, quality management, and outpatient services. Elizabeth is trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and is a certified Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapist and consultant. She also provides individual, family and group therapy services, and specializes in treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Elizabeth serves on a task force established by the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Treatment and Study of Anxiety that aims to increase cultural competence associated with evidence-based treatment of PTSD. Elizabeth holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Rutgers University and a B.A. in Psychology from American University
Lois Volta
Lois Volta is a domestic educator, professional organizer, owner and creator of Volta Naturals, a holistic, feminist consulting and domestics company. She wrote a feminist domestics column for Grid magazine for three years before she released her book Confessions of a Cleaning Lady in early 2023. Lois is also a co-host of the radio and podcast program The Everyday Feminist where she discusses the intersection of mental health and gender equality with co-host Dr. Stephanie Heck. Alongside of her creative and business endeavors, Lois works within local politics to advance the rights for domestic workers by sitting on the Philadelphia Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Task Force and the Agency Council with the organization Hand in Hand.
