The practice of professional counseling and clinical professional counseling is hereby declared to affect the public health, safety and welfare, and to be subject to regulation in the public interest. The purpose of the Act is to protect and benefit the public by setting standards of qualifications, education, training, and experience for those who seek to engage in the independent practice of clinical professional counseling and in the practice of professional counseling in the State of Illinois and to obtain a license and hold the title of professional counselor, to promote high standards of professional performance for those licensed to practice professional counseling and clinical professional counseling in the State of Illinois, and to protect the public from unprofessional conduct by persons licensed to practice professional counseling and the independent practice of clinical professional counseling.