I don't think so.
A true profession consists of mutual respect between professional and client.
The professional commands a lucrative fee, in return for which the client expects considerable expertise to be exercised on his behalf.
Qualifications and experience in the chosen field should be taken into account when hiring a professional, the good name of the firm, the individual's reputation. These in turn are valued by the professional who knows that without them he has no profession. The word "profession" instantly implies legitimacy.
A profession has a code of client confidentiality, it must have in order to exist.
A profession has an elected ruling body to devise and update the professions' code of conduct. This body, which the professionals are obliged to be members of, will deal with complaints, disputes and breaches of their professional code.
Doctors, nurses, lawyers, these are all examples of a true profession. Social workers, the police and teachers are not guided by a strict code of client confidentiality and are therefore not in the same league. Roman Catholic priests are true professionals in relation to the act of confession. The act of confession, by its nature, must be totally confidential. They do not command the high fees of some other professionals, but are superior to other denominations in the area of client confidentiality. Cheesey knows, from personal experience, that few other men of the cloth are genuinely professional and most cannot be relied on for their honesty and confidentiality.
"The oldest profession" is absolutely no such thing. It is a bunfight. Anyone can do it. No qualifications are required. No standards or codes of conduct are in place. No professional body oversees it. Breaches of trust and bad service go totally unchecked and disputes are rarely resolved in a civilised way - until the authorities, police even, become involved.
Please do not end up in the Sunday papers! Be very careful who you confide in, be very choosy when deciding to whom you will bare your - soul!