Mental health counselor accused of sexually abusing teen patient

A Springfield mental health counselor has been accused of sexually assaulting a teenage patient.

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Mental health counselor accused of sexually abusing teen patient Ronald Treem, 69, of Chester, pleaded not guilty to 10 felony counts in Windsor Superior Court. 1211 Shares WPTZ Updated: 5:07 PM EDT Mar 27, 2018 Brad Evans Digital Media Manager Springfield therapist accused of sexually assaulting 15-year-old patient by WPTZ / WNNE US -0:51 Show Transcript SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — An Upper Valley mental health counselor has been accused of sexually assaulting a teenage patient. Ronald Treem, 69, of Chester, pleaded not guilty to 10 felony counts in Windsor Superior Court. Advertisement According to court paperwork, the alleged abuse happened in 2016. Police said the victim was 15 years old at the time and Treem had been treating her for several years. Prosecutors said Treem inserted his fingers into the victim's vagina as part of his treatment plan. "Treem was telling her how pretty she was and that she should wear dresses and not wear underwear under the dress," an investigator wrote in an affidavit. The victim also told police Treem kissed her, according to the court paperwork. She said the encounters happened three times. Police said Treem also touched the victim's breasts but never asked her to touch him. According to police records, Treem did not initially deny the allegations when speaking with investigators but rather the location of the sexual acts. He strongly denied them before admitting consensual sexual contact with the victim, documents said. Treem told police he thought the sexual contact "would be therapeutic for" the victim. He said he never initiated sexual contact with the girl. Treem told investigators he never got sexual pleasure from the encounters. He was charged with one count of repeated aggravated sexual assault of a child, three counts of sexual assault of a minor, three counts of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child and three counts of sexual exploitation of a child. Treem also worked for several years at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center as a drug and alcohol counselor. He was released on conditions. If convicted on all counts, Treem faces up to life in prison. Top2018News