Psychotherapist Nelson Acevedo charged with raping client

August 15, 2013

A New Rochelle counselor was arraigned Tuesday on rape and sexual abuse charges after authorities said he sexually assaulted a patient.

Nelson Acevedo, 42, worked at the Guidance Center of Westchester in New Rochelle, where, earlier this year, he provided counseling for a woman whom he had “touch him in a sexually explicit manner” on two occasions, prosecutors said.

On a third occasion, Acevedo allegedly raped her at his home, having lured her there apparently under the guise that it, too, was a counseling session.

Acevedo appeared Tuesday in New Rochelle City Court and was arraigned on one count of third-degree rape, a felony, and two counts of sexual abuse, both misdemeanors.

Bail for Acevedo was set at $100,000 cash or bond, and he was being held Tuesday afternoon at the Westchester County jail in Valhalla. He faces up to 4 years in state prison if convicted of the rape charge.

Amy Gelles, the executive director of the Guidance Center, said that Acevedo, who was hired in 2010, had cleared a background check. She also said that there was no indication that there were other patients involved.

Gelles said that staffers at the center alerted authorities immediately upon being told of the woman’s allegations, and that Acevedo was fired today after his arrest.

“We take these allegations very, very seriously and we’re deeply troubled by the nature of them,” Gelles said.

A lawyer for Acevedo could not be immediately reached for comment.

Source: Erik Shilling, "New Rochelle counselor accused of rape, sexual assault against patient," The Journal News, August 13, 2013.