Terros Health, Phoenix, AZ: Therapist Arrested in Teen Sexual Abuse Case

July 14, 2026

A former therapist who worked for Terros Health has been arrested in Phoenix after a teenage client accused him of grooming and sexually abusing her while she was receiving counseling services.

According to court records, 27-year-old Robert James Macklin III faces multiple felony charges, including sexual conduct with a minor, sexual abuse, and child enticement involving a 16-year-old former patient. Police say the alleged victim came forward this year to report abuse that occurred during therapy sessions in 2024.

Investigators say the teen described a pattern of grooming behavior that began during counseling sessions and later escalated into inappropriate physical contact, explicit FaceTime interactions, and sexual encounters outside the clinic. Court documents indicate Macklin admitted he had been the girl’s counselor and acknowledged kissing her while knowing she was 16 years old. Prosecutors argued in court that the case involves a serious breach of trust because the accused held a position of authority over a vulnerable minor seeking mental health treatment.

Terros Health stated that Macklin has not been employed by the organization since May 2024 and said it notified regulatory agencies after learning of the allegations. The case has renewed concerns about patient safety and oversight within behavioral health settings, where young people and families depend on therapists to provide care, protection, and ethical treatment. Advocates say allegations involving the exploitation of a minor by a mental health professional underscore the need for strong reporting systems, thorough background reviews, and swift accountability whenever a therapist is accused of abusing a patient.

Source: “Former Terros therapist accused of sexually abusing a teen client in Phoenix, Arizona” 12News (with additional reporting from FOX 10 Phoenix and Arizona’s Family), July 2, 2026.