Marlana Lytehaause, MSW
I do have some letters after my name: MSW (Master of Social Work) from the University of Oklahoma and DCH (Doctor of Clinical Hypnotherapy) from the American Institute of Hypnotherapy. I finished those degrees in the early 1990s. I had a private practice for about ten years, five of which I worked in an agency focusing on the sexual minorities. During that decade I earned and let go of my licenses for Oregon and Washington as I became more deeply aware of my spiritual and, as some would say “Psychic” gifts.
During the decade I spent as a mainstream psychotherapist I worked with all kinds of issues with my clients including Depression, Anxiety, Addictions, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) DID (Dissociate Identity Disorder) also known as Multiple Personality Disorder. I learned the most from my clients in the sexual minorities community. I learned that we all need the same thing; to love and be loved simply for who we are with no judgments.
Yes, I let my licenses go. That was a tough decision, but I needed to do this for me and for those I worked with because I simply could not reconcile the expectations of the licensing boards with my own spirituality. Many therapists have found a way through the maze of conflicting expectations placed on licensed therapists, I just continually felt pulled out of integrity with myself. I don’t regret that decision.
I have a very clear understanding of ethical boundaries as a therapist with my clients and I still maintain those professional boundaries because that’s what works best for all of us. However, now I am free to truly put the client’s needs first without concern for walking that licensing tightrope in the areas of spirituality and alternative techniques.