CENTERVILLE — A former therapist accused of having a sexual relationship with a teenage client faces felony sexual abuse charges.
Scott Andrew Peterson, 36, of Bountiful, was charged Monday in 2nd District Court with forcible sodomy, a first-degree felony; three counts of forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony; and lewdness, a class B misdemeanor.
Peterson was arrested Wednesday and turned in his professional license Friday. The license had allowed him to practice as a clinical social worker in Utah. His business, Therapy on the Fly, 1199 S. Main, closed in August.
Peterson told police that a variety of sexual encounters occurred at least "a dozen times" with a female client who was 16 when the relationship began, according to the charges.
The incidents began after Peterson, who "occupied a position of special trust," exposed himself to the girl, charges state.
Investigators say most of the sexual encounters, which allegedly occurred between March 1 and Aug. 31, happened at Peterson's office.
Peterson cannot reapply to be licensed as any type of mental health worker in Utah for at least five years. He was licensed in Utah since 2008, according to the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing's website.
— McKenzie Romero