Meet Dr. Jean-Machelle Benn-Dubois

International Psychologist | Licensed Therapist | Trauma & Relationship Specialist

Healing is deeply personal. The right therapeutic relationship should provide a space where you feel heard, understood, and supported while also giving you the tools and insight to create meaningful change in your life.

Dr. Jean-Machelle Benn-Dubois is an international psychologist and founder of Professional Counseling & Consultancy Services (PCCS). With extensive clinical training and experience working with individuals and couples, she provides evidence-based, culturally responsive therapy designed to help clients better understand themselves, navigate life's challenges, and develop healthier ways of coping and connecting.

Born and raised in Antigua & Barbuda, Dr. Benn-Dubois combines her Caribbean roots with international education and clinical experience. This perspective informs her understanding of the important role that culture, family, relationships, identity, and environment can play in our mental and emotional well-being.

A Culturally Responsive Approach to Mental Health

No two people experience life's challenges in exactly the same way.

Our upbringing, relationships, culture, family expectations, past experiences, and current circumstances all influence how we understand ourselves and respond to the world around us.

For this reason, Dr. Benn-Dubois takes an individualized approach to therapy. Rather than applying the same solution to every client, therapy is shaped around the person's experiences, needs, strengths, and goals.

Her therapeutic style balances compassionate support with thoughtful challenge, helping clients develop greater insight while building practical skills they can use beyond the therapy room.

Who We Help

Dr. Benn-Dubois works with adults and couples experiencing a wide range of emotional, psychological, and relationship challenges, including:

Anxiety and persistent worry
Depression and low mood
Trauma and post-traumatic stress
Grief and loss
Stress, burnout, and emotional overwhelm
Emotional regulation difficulties
Anger management
Relationship and communication difficulties
Life and career transitions
Interpersonal challenges
Unhealthy coping patterns and addiction concerns
Personal growth and self-understanding

Therapy may begin because something feels wrong, because life has changed unexpectedly, or simply because you recognize that the way you have been coping is no longer working for you.

You do not need to wait until you are in crisis to seek support.

Dr. Benn-Dubois Approach to Therapy

Therapy is a partnership.

Dr. Benn-Dubois works collaboratively with clients to understand what they are experiencing, identify existing strengths, recognize patterns that may be holding them back, and develop practical strategies for moving forward.

Depending on the individual and their therapeutic goals, treatment may incorporate:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT helps clients explore connections between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It can be particularly useful in addressing anxiety, depression, stress, and unhelpful patterns of thinking.

EMDR Trauma Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based therapeutic approach commonly used in the treatment of trauma and post-traumatic stress. Dr. Benn-Dubois is trained in EMDR trauma therapy through the EMDR Institute, Inc.

Relaxation, Meditation & Mindfulness

Dr. Benn-Dubois is trained in six relaxation approaches: Yoga, Progressive Muscle Relaxation, Deep Breathing, Imagery, Autogenic Training, and Meditation & Mindfulness.

These techniques can be incorporated into treatment to help clients manage stress, regulate emotions, reduce physical tension, and develop a greater sense of calm and control.

Couples Therapy

Relationship therapy provides couples with a supportive and neutral environment in which to understand recurring patterns, improve communication, address conflict, rebuild trust, and strengthen emotional connection.

The goal is not to determine who is "right" or "wrong," but to help both partners better understand the relationship they have created and the changes required to move forward in a healthier way.

Education & Clinical Training

Additional Information

Dr. Benn-Dubois's academic and professional journey has taken her from the Caribbean to the United States and reflects her longstanding commitment to understanding human behavior across cultures.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Psychology from the University of the West Indies in Barbados before completing a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology at Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois.

She later earned her PhD in International Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Chicago.

Her additional specialist training includes a Graduate Certificate in Relaxation, Meditation and Mindfulness and professional training as an EMDR Trauma Specialist through the EMDR Institute, Inc.

Licenses & Professional Credentials

Dr. Benn-Dubois's professional credentials include:

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) — Illinois
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) — Ohio
Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) — Center for Credentialing & Education
National Certified Counselor (NCC)
Professional membership with the American Psychological Association, Division 52 – International Psychology

Her combination of clinical practice, international psychology training, trauma specialization, and culturally responsive care allows her to work with clients from diverse backgrounds and life experiences.

Why We Do This Work

Dr. Benn Dubois believes that therapy should be more than a place to talk about what is wrong. It should be a place where you begin to understand why you feel, think, and respond the way you do—and discover what you can do differently.

Sometimes that means processing an experience from the past. Sometimes it means developing healthier boundaries, changing the way you communicate, learning how to manage anxiety, or simply giving yourself permission to acknowledge that something in your life needs to change.

The role is not to make those decisions for you.

Our role is to provide a safe, supportive, and honest space where we can explore them together.

Ultimately, our clients should leave therapy with a deeper understanding of themselves and practical tools they can continue using long after our work together has ended.

What Clients are Saying

“I have been a client since 2012, and over the years I have continued to return whenever I need guidance and support. Dr. Benn-Dubois provides a safe, professional and non-judgmental space that has helped me navigate different stages of my life. Her compassionate approach and genuine care have made a lasting positive impact.”

— Client, Antigua & Barbuda

“I had tried therapy before, but since working with Dr. Benn-Dubois, I have developed a much better understanding of myself. She is knowledgeable, flexible and takes the time to find approaches that work for me. I also appreciate how direct and honest she is. There is no unnecessary fluff, and I always feel heard, supported and understood.”