Dr. Scott Dale Owen, 63, of Provo, Utah County, Utah, United States is a former therapist at Canyon Counseling Center in Provo, which officially closed on September 30, 2023. He is married to Dalene Workman Owen, 62.
As a therapist, Owen was known as a specialist who could help gay men who were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). At the recommendation of their bishop, the gay men struggling with their sexuality began therapy with him.
While Owen was working as a therapist, he allegedly used his position of trust to coerce his patients into engaging in kissing, cuddling and sexual touching during therapy sessions. He allegedly told the patients that therapy could help them have normal relationships with men and eventually women.
As early as 2016, LDS leaders and state licensers in Utah knew of inappropriate touching allegations against Owen, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.Several patients complained to the state licensers that he had touched them inappropriately.
In 2018, Owen surrendered his license without admitting to any inappropriate conduct. In the licensing documents he signed, the sexual nature of his patient’s allegations was not referenced.
In August 2023, Provo Police Department officers started interviewing 12 of Owen’s former patients. According to the former patients, he used his hand to touch their anuses.
Two of the former patients claimed that during therapy sessions, Owen engaged in sexual contact with them. He allegedly performed oral sex on one of his former patients.
On November 8, 2023, Owen was arrested and booked into the Utah County Jail in Spanish Fork, Utah County. He was charged with four counts of forcible sodomy and six counts of object rape.
A judge in Utah County found that Owen could be a danger to the community and would likely flee if released. The judge ordered the former therapist remain in jail without the opportunity to post bail.
Incorporated in April 1850, Provo is the county seat of Utah County. The city was named for Canadian fur trader Étienne Provost, who died in 1850 at age 65.
Michelle Kaufusi is the 45th and incumbent mayor of Provo. The city is the home to Brigham Young University.
CONAN Daily 