What qualifications does one need to have to call themselves a professional? It's always nice to be around like minded and stronger skilled people to learn from. I am new to the subject but from what I have read I have a strong ability in this area already. (I think)
The term is not regulated, so there is no formal requirement. Typically, professional intuitive have:
1) A background in coaching or psychology where they branched out in intuition (that's what I did)
2) A degree in metaphysics or medical intuition (like from http://www.aiht.edu/)
3) Experience as an intuitive, providing professional services to clients.
Hopefully we'll have a more formal certification process in the future. For now, you can still make your own :)
Actually, it is usually only Impaired Empath don't feel like they fit in the world. I meet well adjusted Empath all the time! As long as you see yourself as "deficient" somehow, you will probably find it hard to stay focus on a fulfilling career.
And I have seen MANY empaths who work as counselor, so that is definitely a career with a lot of potential :)