We recently had the chance to connect with Vassilia Binensztok PhD and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Vassilia, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Lately, one of the simplest things bringing me real joy is taking short, spontaneous day trips around Florida. There’s something grounding about realizing how much beauty exists just a short drive away. Whether it’s wandering through a small coastal town, stopping for coffee somewhere unfamiliar, walking near the water, or spending an afternoon surrounded by nature, these mini escapes feel restorative in a way that’s hard to replicate.
They don’t require elaborate planning or time off, which makes them feel accessible and freeing. I can step out of my usual rhythm, reset my nervous system, and return home feeling clearer and more present. Florida has this quiet way of reminding you to slow down, and these short trips have become a meaningful way for me to reconnect with that, outside of work and expectations. My most recent one was to the Everglades National Park, an incredible living ecosystem.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Dr. Vassilia Binensztok, a licensed mental health professional, founder, and clinical director of Juno Counseling & Wellness in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. My work sits at the intersection of psychotherapy, neuroscience, and whole-person healing. At Juno, we provide therapy for children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families, while also integrating innovative, nervous-system–informed approaches like sensory-based interventions, trauma-focused care, and emerging wellness technologies.
What makes my work and my brand unique is the way I blend depth psychology with modern, integrative care. I’m deeply interested in not just *reducing symptoms*, but helping people understand their inner world, their patterns, and the nervous system responses that drive them. My own life experiences shaped that curiosity early on, and they continue to inform how I lead, practice, and build spaces where people feel both emotionally safe and intellectually respected.
Beyond clinical work, I’m also a writer, speaker, and educator, focused on changing how we talk about mental health, trauma, and resilience. I’m currently expanding Juno’s offerings, developing therapeutic journals and educational content, and working on projects that make high-quality mental health care more accessible, nuanced, and human. At the core of everything I do is the belief that healing is possible when we approach people with curiosity, compassion, and depth.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
One of the relationships that most changed how I see myself wasn’t a single person, but a group – my students when I taught at Palm Beach State College. Standing in front of a classroom early in my career, I didn’t fully grasp how much those interactions would shape my confidence and sense of purpose.
As I taught, listened, and engaged with my students, I began to see the impact I could have beyond one-on-one clinical work. Watching them grow, ask deeper questions, and feel inspired to pursue their own paths showed me that my voice, perspective, and knowledge mattered. Their curiosity and trust reflected something back to me that I hadn’t fully claimed yet, that I could lead, mentor, and influence in meaningful ways.
That experience helped me believe in myself on a deeper level and gave me the courage to go further in my career. It expanded how I understood my role in the field, not just as a clinician, but as an educator and thought leader. Seeing my students believe in themselves helped me do the same, and it ultimately shaped the trajectory of the work I’m doing today.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self that you don’t have to rush to prove your worth; it’s already there. The uncertainty, self-doubt, and pressure you feel to get everything right aren’t signs that you’re behind; they’re part of the journey. Trust that your sensitivity, curiosity, and depth are strengths, not weaknesses, and that they will one day become the foundation of your work and your leadership.
Keep going, even when you can’t yet see where it’s all leading. You’re building something meaningful, and it’s unfolding exactly when it’s meant to.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, but it’s a curated and protected version of me. The public version reflects my values, my voice, and the parts of my story that are meant to be shared. It’s honest, but it’s also boundaried.
Like most people, I’m more expansive in private. There are layers of reflection, vulnerability, and complexity that belong to my inner life and my closest relationships. Over time, I’ve learned that authenticity doesn’t require full exposure. It means showing up with integrity, intention, and truth, while still honoring what deserves to remain personal.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think people may misunderstand how much was carried quietly along the way. From the outside, my story can look like steady achievement, resilience, and forward momentum. It speaks of degrees earned, milestones reached, and organizations built. What often isn’t visible is what it was like to move through childhood holding experiences that required strength long before there were words for it, and to continue carrying that weight while still showing up, striving, and accomplishing.
I don’t think people will always see the emotional labor behind the success, including the internal work, the self-regulation, the moments of doubt that existed alongside ambition. My hope is that, over time, my legacy reflects not just what I built, but the truth that it’s possible to create meaningful, impactful work while healing, not after healing is “complete.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.junocounseling.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.vassilia/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vassilia-binensztok-phd
