Dr. Vassilia Binensztok, PhD, LMHC, NCC, QS

Founder & Clinical Director of Juno Counseling and Wellness

counseling dr vassilia binensztok

I founded Juno Counseling and Wellness with a clear intention: to create a modern, integrative approach to mental health care that honors both clinical rigor and the complexity of human experience. As founder and clinical director, my role is to shape the vision, philosophy, and standards that guide how care is delivered across the practice.

My work as a clinician, educator, and leader has focused on building systems of care that move beyond symptom management toward meaningful, sustainable healing. Juno reflects that commitment, bringing together trauma-informed therapy, nervous system–based approaches, and relational care within a thoughtfully designed clinical environment.

Juno was created in response to gaps I observed in traditional mental health models, approaches that often prioritize diagnosis over regulation. I wanted to build a practice that integrates neuroscience, attachment, trauma theory, and lived experience into a cohesive, compassionate model of care.

As clinical director, I oversee the development of Juno’s therapeutic philosophy, specialized programs, and training standards. This includes the integration of trauma-informed and somatic approaches, relational and evidence-based models, and innovative offerings such as our sensory room, somatic therapy services, and intensive therapeutic programs

Juno is intentionally designed to support individuals, couples, children, teens, and families through care that is developmentally informed, ethically grounded, and deeply human.

On Founding the Practice

Like many people, I come from a dysfunctional home shaped by depression and mental illness. I experienced chronic childhood trauma, which culminated in the loss of both of my parents in a car accident when I was seventeen.

In the years that followed, I carried a quiet belief that good things were meant for other people, but not for me. As I moved into adulthood on my own, I didn’t yet have the tools to understand how my early experiences were shaping my nervous system, my relationships, and my sense of self.

It was my own therapeutic journey that allowed me to reframe my story and reclaim personal power. That journey ultimately led me to found Juno Counseling and Wellness: a place where people can explore the roots of their struggles and create lasting change in a safe, thoughtful, and nonjudgmental environment.

I didn’t set out to become an expert in my field.
I set out to learn as much as possible—
and that road brought me here.

Today, I lead a team of highly trained therapists with varied specialties and one shared commitment: curiosity, humility, and the ongoing pursuit of knowledge. Together, we continue to learn, refine, and share that knowledge in service of the people and families we work with.

Clinical Philosophy & Leadership

My clinical philosophy is grounded in the understanding that problems often stem from unconscious and nervous-system patterns, and the belief that healing occurs when people feel safe, understood, and supported at both emotional and physiological levels. At Juno, this philosophy informs how clinicians are trained, how services are structured, and how care is delivered across the lifespan.

Rather than a one-size-fits-all model, Juno emphasizes:

  • Nervous system regulation as foundational to mental health
  • Trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate care
  • Integration of evidence-based and relational approaches
  • Collaboration, curiosity, and respect for individual experience

My role extends beyond individual clinical work to mentoring clinicians, shaping ethical and effective treatment models, and ensuring that the practice continues to evolve alongside advances in the field.

Education & Professional Credentials

My academic and clinical training inform the standards of care at Juno Counseling and Wellness.

Education

  • PhD, Counseling – Florida Atlantic Universit
  • MS, Mental Health Counseling – Nova Southeastern University
  • BA, English – Dartmouth Colleg

Licensure & Credentials

  • Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Florida
  • National Certified Counselor (NCC)
  • Qualified Supervisor for Registered Mental Health Counseling Interns

Advanced Training Includes

Trauma-focused therapies, EMDR, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), somatic and nervous system–based approaches, the Gottman Method, forensic mental health evaluation, family systems, and the Safe and Sound Protocol.

Awards & Recognition

  • Women Breaking Barriers – MSN Feature
  • Miami Weekly Feature
  • Apogee Award – Healthcare Innovator
  • Giraffe Award – Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County
  • Best of Palm Beach County – Finalist (2024)
  • Best of Florida – Honorable Mention (2023)
  • Best of Florida – Honorable Mention (2023)
  • CEO Magazine – Honorable Mention (2026)

Thought Leadership, Teaching & Community Engagement

In addition to clinical leadership, I am actively engaged in education, writing, speaking, and community service related to trauma, resilience, and modern mental health care. I have taught at the graduate and undergraduate levels, authored peer-reviewed publications and academic texts, and contributed to national media conversations on mental health and wellness.

My work has been featured in outlets including Forbes, Parents, Yahoo, Real Simple, MSN, and City Lifestyle. I regularly provide training and consultation to professionals, organizations, and community groups, and serve in leadership roles with nonprofit and civic organizations focused on mental health and community well-being, including as Chair of the Board of Directors for Vita Nova, a nonprofit serving vulnerable youth in Palm Beach County.

A Personal Note

At the heart of my work is a respect for human complexity and a belief that healing is not about fixing what is “wrong,” but about creating the conditions for regulation, connection, and growth.

Juno was built to embody those values, not only for clients, but for clinicians and the broader community we serve.

Learn More

To explore the care shaped by this vision, you can:

Multicultural Child Maltreatment Risk Assessment

Women Breaking Barriers and Setting New Standards

Across industries, women continue to challenge expectations and open doors for those who follow. These leaders are breaking barriers, setting new standards, and proving that progress is built through perseverance, vision, and purpose. Their stories highlight the power of leadership rooted in authenticity and the lasting impact of those who choose to lead by example.

@junocounseling

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