An umbrella organization is needed to oversee the work done by all counselors in Fiji.

Permanent Secretary for the Social Welfare Ministry, Dr Josefa Koroivueta says counseling is a professional skill and needs to be licensed due to its high demand.

Dr Koroivueta says the umbrella organization will also ensure that there are no bogus counselors.

“In the past, some people posed themselves to be counselors but actually do not provide the right information. Some have done so in hospital environment but they actually have got other agenda, they got hidden motive. So it’s a professional skill rightfully there should be a legislation in place, they should be licensed to practice and they should be monitored to ensure that there is professional development that meets up to the required standard.”

He adds the ministry is working with relevant stakeholders to provide counselling to those that suffer from stress, trauma and other mental and social issues.

They are also working with various institutions to train more counselors.