About Us

About Princeton Family Institute | Who We Are

About Princeton Family Institute

What is Princeton Family Institute? Founded in 1982, Princeton Family Institute consists of a group of clinicians who are devoted to psychotherapy with couples, families and individuals.

With a focus on relationships we provide:

Our guiding philosophy: Every family, couple, or individual is unique within the web of relationships that connect people with each other. People can improve relationships and, together, people can solve problems including those that seem to affect only one person. Even the most troubled or stressed couple or family has innate resources and strengths that can be utilized for change. Although we are trained experts, who guide and direct treatment, our approach to treatment is collaborative. We work with couples, families, and individuals to build on their personal resources to solve the issues that are facing them and to improve the quality of their lives.

 

Who We Are

Hinda Winawer, MSW, LCSW, a New Jersey licensed marriage and family therapist and co-founder of Princeton Family Institute is currently the Executive Director of The Center for Family, Community & Social Justice, Inc. She has taught family and couples therapy at Rutgers University's Graduate School of Social Work and in other academic and clinical settings in the United States, Europe, Latin American and China. Ms. Winawer has authored publications related to couples and family therapy. She is a clinical member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT) and a charter member and serves on the board of directors of the American Family Therapy Academy (AFTA). She has been a psychotherapist, trainer, supervisor, and organizational and clinical consultant in psychiatric hospitals, mental health, human services and substance abuse settings. She is currently a member of the faculty of the Ackerman Institute' for the Family in New York City and a founding member of the Ackerman Institute's "Families, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Project," which was featured in the HBO film "Drinking Apart."

Norbert A. Wetzel, Th.D., a New Jersey licensed psychologist (Lic. # SI 02637) and marriage and family therapist, is co-founder of the Princeton Family Institute. He was visiting professor at the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Rutgers University, from 1980-1991, specializing in couples and family therapy. Dr. Wetzel was previously faculty at the Family Institute of the University of Heidelberg Medical School.  Among other books and numerous articles, he has co-authored The First Interview with the Family (Stierlin, et. al). Dr. Wetzel is currently Director of Training at The Center for Family, Community & Social Justice, Inc. He frequently lectures and conducts seminars for psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers in the United States and Europe as well as training and organizational consultation in the public and private sectors. Dr. Wetzel is an approved supervisor of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT), a charter member of the American Family Therapy Academy (AFTA), and a member of the New Jersey Psychological Association (NJPA).

Glenda Mendelsohn, MSW, LCSW is an experienced couples and family therapist and has been an integral member of our staff since 1995. Ms Mendelsohn combines a strong academic background in the fields of clinical social work and couples and family therapy and has over 20 years of practical experience working in both fields. She is a graduate of the Wurzweiler School of Social Work and completed four years post-graduate studies at the Ackerman Institute for the Family in New York City. She works with couples and families with a wide range of issues, including communication difficulties, learning and social problems in school, and depression and anxiety relating to life’s transitions, changes and stresses. Ms Mendelsohn integrates a family systems perspective in her therapy with individuals. She is also on the faculty of The Center for Family, Community and Social Justice, Inc. where she teaches family therapy theory and practice to mental health and substance abuse professionals.

Deidre Ashton, MSSW, LCSW, is a psychotherapist specializing in the treatment of couples and families. A graduate of the Ackerman Institute for the Family, and of Columbia University Graduate School of Social Work, she is also a member of the American Family Therapy Academy.  Ms. Ashton’s areas of therapeutic interest are issues related to the interface of physical health and family experiences and behaviors.  Her work has encompassed psychotherapy for HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, intimate partner violence, sexual trauma, as well as family and couple conflict.  She has facilitated multi-family and multi-couple groups which address the impact of health issues on relationships, family lifecycle development and functioning.  In addition, she has presented and provided training to others on many of these topics. Deidre Ashton received the prestigious Carl Kempner Award from the Ackerman Institute for the Family in recognition of her work in applying family systems approaches to health related issues. Ms. Ashton is especially committed to serving families who are often marginalized based on their gender and sexual identity, race or ethnicity.  In her work, she seeks to attend to the ways in which power, privilege and issues of social justice influence relationships.  She is especially drawn to the construction of narrative that empowers individuals and families to heal through storytelling and witnessing.

Shalonda Kelly, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Rutgers University. She is a licensed psychologist who conducts couple, family, and individual therapy from a cognitive-behavioral and family systems theoretical orientation. She has extensive experience in conducting outpatient and inpatient therapy with children, couples, families, and adults, predominantly of ethnic minority and other diverse backgrounds. At Rutgers, she teaches courses on couple and family therapy and diversity and publishes about racial, ethnic and cultural issues, and couple relationships. She has consulted with colleagues and conducted workshops with organizations towards better understanding the needs of African American and other ethnic minority clients. Dr. Kelly is a member of a number of important national psychological organizations.