We’ve all spent hours listening to our friends talk about their relationships. But just because we know all there is to know about heartache and love, doesn’t mean we can suddenly start charging a fee and calling ourselves experts.

So what qualifications should a counsellor have before they advertise their services, and how can you tell they are qualified and ethical professionals?

Unlike the medical or teaching professions, the counselling profession in Australia is not government regulated. This means that when you seek counselling you need to evaluate the qualifications of the counsellors yourself.

The Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) are two organisations set up to monitor and develop professionalism in the counselling industry. They can help you ensure you’re getting a genuine counsellor to help with your relationship troubles.

PACFA maintains a register of professional counsellors, so ask a potential counsellor if they are registered with PACFA. If they are, it means they have met certain professional standards of training and accreditation.

Requirements for those wishing to register include three years of psychotherapy or counselling training at undergraduate level or equivalent, comprising a total of 350 hours. Visit these associations online to learn more.

If you and your partner need to talk to someone, look for a relationship or marriage counsellor in the Yellow Pages today. Don’t forget to ask them about their qualifications.