A Merrimack Superior Court judge denied bail Wednesday for a therapist accused of sexually assaulting a patient during a therapy session in Bow.
Daniel Thibeault, a pre-licensed therapist who was practicing independently on South Street, was arrested after a female patient’s father reported to police that Thibeault had sexually assaulted her during an in-office session.
The assault was reported to have taken place in August, while Thibeault, who has three prior federal convictions, was still on supervised release. Bow Police arrested him in January.
“I do find that there is probable cause to believe that he presents a danger to the public, specifically victims in the case,” said Judge Daniel Hilaire at the Merrimack County Superior Court on Wednesday. “There’s no reason for me to believe that any conditions applied to the defendant during supervised release would help, given the fact that he was already under supervision federally.”
Thibeault, 51, was charged with two counts of felonious sexual assault and one count of aggravated felonious sexual assault.
His federal convictions included tampering with a witness, victim, or informant; violations of National Securities Exchange registration requirements; and the use of manipulative and deceptive devices, according to Melissa Kowalewski of the public defender’s office.
Thibeault was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and placed on three years of supervised release, which ended on March 7, 2026.
Attorneys for Thibeault requested that bail conditions include electronic monitoring while he stays at his mother’s home in Laconia, but the court denied him bail.
Since news of Thibeault’s arrest became public, at least one other former patient has come forward to speak with police, according to Kowalewski.
The second individual reported that during her own therapy session with Thibeault, he made an inappropriate comment, telling her to “think that we are in your bed,” said Kowalewski.
When the patient immediately opened her eyes and reacted with visible discomfort, Thibeault quickly corrected himself.
Kowalewski noted that while the incident did not necessarily constitute criminal conduct, it remains alarming.
“The state’s position is that there is ample evidence to establish probable cause that this defendant is a danger to the public at this juncture,” she said.