A BOLTON psychologist accused of having a sexual relationship with a client will have his misconduct hearing held in secret — to spare the embarrassment of the alleged victim.

Dr John McCarron is said to have had sex with Client A on two occasions in March last year.

McCarron — employed by Lancashire Care NHS Trust — had treated her at his private practice between May 2012 and February 2013.

McCarron is said to have set the married woman “homework” in relation to her sexuality and sexual interests as part of her treatment.

He allegedly sent a string of sexually explicit emails and texts between March and April last year and had sex with her twice in March.

McCarron is not attending but is represented by David Bradley at a four-day Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC) hearing in Manchester where he may be struck off if found guilty of misconduct.

Panel chairman Brian Wroe said: “This hearing will be heard in private to protect the identity of the witness, Mrs A.”

HCPC solicitor Julie Norris applied for the private hearing because she is “traumatised and embarrassed”.

McCarron is an NHS adult occupational therapist but has been in private practice since 1997. He holds clinics in Bolton, Blackburn, Blackpool, Manchester, Preston and Rochdale.

His website states he is a consultant clinical psychologist offering “competitively priced” services to adults aged 17 to 65.

The hearing continues.