Provo therapist arrested for voyeurism, police encourage additional victims to come forward

This story contains descriptions of sexual abuse. If you or someone you know needs help, call the Rape & Sexual Assault Crisis Line 1-888-421-1100. 

PROVO, Utah (ABC4) — The Provo Police Department has arrested a mental health therapist for allegedly manipulating victims to expose themselves. They believe there may be additional victims and are asking those affected to contact the police.

Shawn Talbot, 55, has been arrested on three counts of voyeurism. Formal charges have not been filed yet.

According to court documents, on July 7, 2024, two women went to the Provo Police Department to be interviewed about alleged misconduct by a mental health therapist, identified as Talbot.

The first victim reported that she had been “manipulated” over the course of several mental health therapy sessions. Talbot allegedly pushed her to take her clothes off and expose herself as part of “humiliating exercises.” On one occasion, he even asked her to do a handstand in front of him. Talbot portrayed these actions as the victim showing that she could be “vulnerable.”

Documents say that Talbot abused the victim’s trust, and on some occasions even complimented the victim inappropriately. The second victim reported that she had been manipulated into bending down in front of him, making her expose her breasts to Talbot.

On June 30, 2025, Talbot was fired from his position at Utah Valley Counseling for allegations of sexual abuse and harassment by female coworkers.

The arrest affidavit states that detectives became aware of a previous case from 2020 that alleged Talbot had done “very similar things” to minor victims at a residential mental health facility. During forensic interviews, victims reported that Talbot had asked these minors to “lift their shirts” as part of a trust exercise.

Talbot allegedly wrote a “voluntary statement” to the Department of Professional Licensing stating that the first victim had “tried” the handstand in front of him, and he said that it showed “very poor judgment” and that he “allowed boundaries to be crossed.”

On Aug. 19, 2035, Talbot was interviewed by the Provo Police Department. According to documents, he did not deny the allegations but stated that they “took place in a therapeutic practice and was meant to empower them.” Talbot reportedly denied there being any sexual motive, but admitted that what he did was not right.

Talbot was arrested and booked into the Utah County Jail, but was released with conditions.

The Provo Police Department’s detectives believe there may be additional victims who “experience similar, non-therapeutic requests during treatment by Talbot.” They encourage those individuals to contact them and make a report by calling 801-852-6210.