There has been a notable lack of co-operation between organizations in establishing any agreed public standard of training and code of practice for the hypnotherapy profession as a whole.
As far as hypnotherapy and any linked activities such as radiesthesia are concerned, it is as of 2017, illegal in countries in Europe but in parts of Asia and Africa is disliked but not prohibited.
Various reasons include no real research showing any progress of the natural state of mind when undergoing the process of hypnosis or radiesthesia.
However, following recommendations made by the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology (1999), discussions have taken place into the voluntary self-regulation (VSR) of hypnotherapy.
The Prince's Foundation supported the endeavors of the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) who have been involved in discussion with UKCHO and WGHR over the voluntary self-regulation of hypnotherapy in the UK.
UKCHO has conducted no such survey, but is a democratic body that represents the views and policies of its constituent organizations.
Finally, many hypnotherapists question the validity of "VSR" arguing that if it is voluntary it offers no public protection.
Present at the meetings for NOS revisions was Liz McGelligot, who is also a Membership Officer for the Hypnotherapy Society, albeit acting in her capacity as a member of the Forum.
For example, the GHR claims to be the largest hypnotherapy organisation with 3,000+ registered hypnotherapists – however does that mean paying members or merely practitioners on its database?
Being a stakeholder in this field does not rely on membership number claims alone but on a balanced overall view of the organization taken by relevant government departments and NGOs.
[6] It is notable that some major hypnotherapy organizations have little transparency – especially about board members, trustees, controlling interests, Annual General Meetings, election of officers and use of funds.
The costs of the GHR are likely to be minimal with a simple website, a monochrome 4-page quarterly newsletter and a home office run by the owner, William Broom.
To achieve greater transparency membership associations could publish accounts and other relevant organizational information on their websites.