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A Knoxville woman who spent a month undergoing inpatient treatment at Cornerstone of Recovery in Maryville has sued the business, claiming a counselor at the facility had an inappropriate personal relationship with her that allegedly escalated into "sexual misconduct."

Courtney Smith and her husband Larry filed the suit Monday in Blount County Circuit Court. The lawsuit names Cornerstone of Recovery Inc. -- a Maryville-based addiction treatment facility -- and Kerry Bryan -- the counselor in question -- as defendants.

In the suit, Courtney Smith alleges that Bryan "misused his position as a therapist to start an inappropriate personal relationship" with her by "talking to her more than other patients and showing her added attention ... Bryan's actions escalated and he began showing up at the facility on his days off, sitting next to (Smith) at meetings, physically touching her and making unsolicited contact with her."

Cornerstone employees should have stepped in to stop Bryan's conduct, the suit alleges, because they "knew, or had reason to know, that defendant Bryan was maintaining an inappropriate relationship with Mrs. Smith because another patient reported suspicious/improper activities to defendant Cornerstone."

When contacted Tuesday, Dan Caldwell, president and CEO of Cornerstone of Recovery, said he could not comment on the suit, as it is pending litigation. Bryan is no longer employed by Cornerstone.

The Smiths are seeking a total of $750,000 in damages.

A response had not been filed on behalf of Cornerstone of Recovery or Bryan as of Tuesday.