A court in Santa Catarina state suspended a practitioner and ordered his office closed after women reported alleged sexual misconduct during consultations, state police said.
Officers from a police unit that protects children, adolescents, women and older people carried out the order on October 6 in Araranguá. The Regional Court of Guarantees in the Criciúma district issued the decision at police request as part of an investigation into alleged crimes against sexual dignity.
The state police said the inquiry began after one woman came forward. Other women later reported similar situations during consultations with the practitioner. Investigators are examining allegations including sexual assault by fraud and sexual harassment.
The court barred the suspect from providing psychoanalysis, therapy or individual psychological or therapeutic services, either in person or electronically. It also prohibited him from advertising or offering those services and ordered the office closed.
The suspect was not at the office when officers enforced the order. The investigation is ongoing. Police asked anyone who may have experienced similar conduct to contact the DPCAMI unit in Araranguá or the nearest police station.
CNN Brasil said it contacted the state court and Santa Catarina's regional psychology council but had not received a response by publication time.