Police: Therapist from Laconia crossed boundary with woman seeking couples counseling

Daniel Thibeault, a pre-licensed therapist practicing in Bow, told a female patient that he “wanted her to feel seen” after she asked him to stop when he began touching her inappropriately during an in-person therapy session, according to police.

An arrest warrant for 51-year-old Thibeault accused him of sexually assaulting a female patient who had sought his help for couples counseling following marital difficulties.

On Jan. 5, Thibeault was arrested and charged with two counts of felonious sexual assault and one count of aggravated felonious sexual assault while providing services at Concord Behavioral Health on South Street in Bow.

Investigators with the Bow police department confirmed that Thibeault, who lives in Laconia, was working as an independent contractor for Open Path Collective, a nationwide nonprofit network of mental health professionals.

The incident came to light on Aug. 20, when the woman’s father, after learning what had happened, contacted the Bow police. 

After two sessions, her interactions with Thibeault began to take an uncomfortable turn, she told police.  

She recalled a “weird hug” from Thibeault at the end of the third session, which she attended alone. 

The next session, his advances escalated further when he touched and kissed her without her consent while making statements such as “I’m so attracted to you,” she reported. Thibeault broke professional standards set by the American Mental Health Counsellors Association 

After the incident, the woman went to Concord Hospital for a medical forensic exam. On Dec. 1, DNA analysis from the exam revealed the presence of an unknown male DNA profile on swabs taken from her leg and ear, court records show.

In September, police intercepted a call between the woman and Thibeault in which she confronted him. During the conversation, Thibeault admitted that he had ‘crossed a boundary’ and apologized, but he denied that anything sexual had happened.

Thibeault’s actions would have been a breach of professional standards set by the American Mental Health Counsellors Association.

Thibeault is currently being held at the Merrimack County House of Corrections and a probable cause hearing is set for Jan. 13 at 12:45 p.m.

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