Sioux Falls, South Dakota (Kero) — A Sioux Falls therapist accused of having an affair with one of his patients has had his first court appearance postponed. Roy Conrad is scheduled to perform on August 28th, one week from today.
Mr. Conrad is not the only high-profile case involving a person in a position of trust raising legal troubles. On August 14, Hartford chiropractor Joel Martens was formally charged with rape. He is accused of having a sexual relationship with a teenage girl he was treating.
The arrests of the trusted Martens and Conrad have raised concerns among experts in the health and mental health world. The Compass Center provides counseling and support to victims of sexual and domestic violence. The Director-General said incidents like this were heartbreaking.
“It’s already hard enough for victims to report, and it’s already hard enough to tell anyone what happened. This adds a new layer to whether or not you can trust this person I’m talking to.” just add ,” Compass Executive Director Michelle Trent said. center.
Brianna Halse is a registered play therapist in Sioux Falls who works primarily with children. She says her trust is the foundation of all therapy and counseling.
“So when you think about therapeutic relationships, it’s a very fragile thing. And that’s the rules we enforce, especially around the confidentiality part, because we know people bring the most vulnerable part.” That’s why we have ,” Hals said.
She wants people to know that the Compass Center and other places are safe places for people to tell their stories. Counselors fear that the alleged abuse of trust will prevent those in need from seeking help.
“Ethical boundaries exist for a reason, because you have trusted therapists and healthcare providers, and we want to help rebuild that trust,” said Trent. said Mr.
Many in the therapy industry said Conrad’s arrest was doubly disappointing because, in his capacity as a professor, he taught many counselors now working in Keroland.
In 2022, the South Dakota Counseling Association review board issued disciplinary action against three therapists.
One of them voluntarily surrendered his license and the other two were suspended. As of today, Conrad still has a license.
