TV sex therapist sued for rape in civil court by client
A TV sex coach who uses “touch” in his therapy sessions is being sued for rape by a former client.
Michael Lousada, 57, who charges hundreds of pounds for sessions and once appeared on ITV’S This Morning, is accused of assaulting child sexual abuse survivor Ella Janneh, 37, in a civil claim.
The High Court is due to hear that during a £750 session, he “sexually assaulted and raped” her, allegedly telling her his penis could “burn up trauma”. Mr Lousada denies the allegations, claiming it was consensual and a reasonable treatment.
His defence case, seen by The Sunday Times, states that he “has worked with approximately 1,000 separate clients”, with “approximately 30 to 40 of whom he has engaged in penile penetration”.
Ms Janneh was seen by Mr Lousada at his north London clinic in August 2016. During the session, it is alleged that he touched, massaged and penetrated her with his penis. She alleges that she cried “as she relived her child sexual abuse”.
She says that she would not have attended if she knew sexual touching would be involved.
Mr Lousada says in his defence that he “worked as a sexual healer rather than a traditional psychotherapist” and Ms Janneh would have been aware of what the session entailed. He claims that he asked her at each point that he made or changed contact whether it was OK and if she wanted him to continue and got a clear “yes” in response.
A civil trial is due to start at the High Court on Friday. When contacted by The Telegraph, Mr Lousada said: “I am advised by my lawyers that it would be inappropriate to comment at this stage. My case is set out in the court papers and I will give evidence to the court.”