Sacramento Psychotherapist Convicted of Sexual Exploitation and Battery
SACRAMENTO—A Sacramento psychotherapist, who has been convicted by a jury for battery, sexual exploitation and sexual battery in separate assaults involving two patients, will be sentenced next month.
Marvin Dennis Todd, 72, who has had a private practice clinic at 2740 Fulton Avenue in northeast Sacramento, was convicted in two incidents that took place in 2014. In one incident, Todd was accused of touching a longtime female patient’s breast without her consent during a psychotherapy session.
When she asked him what he was doing, she said Todd told her “he thought it would be more comforting for both of us,” according to a transcript of the woman’s comments contained in a detective’s request for an arrest warrant.
In a second incident, he forcibly kissed a female patient following an evening counseling session. The victim attempted to push him away, but was unsuccessful. Todd forcibly kissed her a second time, but the victim was able to push him off and break his hold.
As part of the investigation, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department established a tip hotline that resulted in other female clients who said they experienced sexually inappropriate behavior by Todd during counseling sessions.
Todd’s practice was located in the Citizens Business Center on Fulton Avenue.
Todd has a bachelor’s degree in sociology and psychology from La Sierra College; a master’s in social work from CSU Sacramento; and a doctorate of philosophy degree from the California Graduate School of Psychology in Corte Madera. His clinical social worker license has been in suspension since July 2014, according to the State Department of Consumer Affairs.
Todd’s practice also included contracts with the Sheriff’s Department where he provided “police psychological services” in 2003-04, 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12. In at least three of those contracts, his rate was $110 per hour with a cap of $35,000.
Todd was also rated on HealthGrades.com, a physician’s practice rating and evaluation site, with 3.5 stars out of 5. Six patients had evaluated their experience, giving the office four star ratings for staff friendliness and courtesy, and the doctor’s time with patients. The office got only three stars for environment, cleanliness, comfort, etc.
Todd faces a maximum potential sentence of two years in county jail and registration as a sex offender.
