The practice of marriage and family therapy in Illinois is hereby declared to affect the public health, safety and welfare, and to be subject to regulations in the public interest. The purpose of this Act is to establish standards of qualifications for marriage and family therapists and license marriage and family therapists and associate marriage and family therapists who meet these standards, thereby protecting the public from persons who are unauthorized or unqualified to represent themselves as licensed marriage and family therapists or associate licensed marriage and family therapists, and from unprofessional conduct by persons licensed to practice marriage and family therapy.