Adel Houten is on a mission to help women transform life’s deepest wounds into their greatest sources of strength. A leading expert in emotional healing and subconscious transformation, she combines EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) and hypnotherapy to guide high-performing women from burnout, self-doubt, and emotional pain toward clarity, confidence, and freedom. Through her work with individuals, corporate teams, and her innovative Tapaway app, Adel is redefining what it means to heal — proving that even the most challenging experiences can become the foundation for empowerment, purpose, and lasting success.
What inspired you to start helping women turn trauma into triumph?

What inspired me to do this work is really quite simple. I think it has always been my destiny to do what I do. I’ve never really been conventional, never really felt that I fitted in, even in my own family! I have always questioned the ‘norm’ even as a child and have felt a sense of ‘duty’ to help people. I believe I am here to make a difference, to raise the consciousness of the planet. I know that sounds grandiose… but it’s the truth… It’s my mission.
On a personal note I’ve seen first-hand how pain can shape a life, and I’ve also witnessed how powerful it is when that pain is transformed into strength. From a young age I was fascinated by why people think, feel, and behave the way they do. I always knew we were so much more capable than what we are led to believe. Later, when I went through my own challenges, I discovered that healing wasn’t about covering things up, but about going deeper into the subconscious, finding the root of the wound, and releasing it. When you do this you find the divinity within. We are all divine beings capable of SO much! That’s why I help women turn trauma into triumph – because I know it can be done, and I know the freedom that lies on the other side.
Can you share a personal experience that shaped your approach to healing?
One of the most profound moments that shaped my approach was when I lost everything… and in the same moment I had gained an insight and knowledge that had a profound positive effect on my life, one that has helped me ever since! Let me explain… due to my (now) ex husband being an addicted gambler and con man in one year I lost my home, my rental property, I ended up with £60k worth of credit card debt I had never spent a penny of, I had thousands stolen out of my business account, he even stole my nectar store points! To top it off my son went off the rails and got expelled from school. One day I was sat in a coffee shop with a friend, exhausted from worry and I distinctly remember saying to her ‘So what, they can’t take what I don’t have’ and in that moment I realised that none of it mattered. It was all just ‘stuff’ My situation hadn’t changed, but in an instant my mindset had! I stopped trying to control that which was beyond my control and in an instant of doing that ALL my worries and cares dissipated. I realise there is nothing than can affect you other than that which you allow in your mind. I also have the strong belief that it all is happening for you … and not to you!
You work with high-performing women—what challenges do they often face emotionally?
The women I work with are often high performers. They’re successful, outwardly confident, sometimes even running companies or leading teams. But underneath, they can carry anxiety, self-doubt, or a sense of not being enough. Many have spent so much time looking after others – staff, family, clients – that they’ve lost touch with themselves. They come to me when they’re ready to stop managing symptoms and start truly healing. I have been working with someone recently who was hugely successful, had sold her business and still felt unhappy. She thought that when she had ‘made it’ which she clearly had, she would be happy, but wasn’t. This is because people chase things outside of themselves to feel happy… but happiness is always an inside job.
How do EFT and hypnotherapy work together to help people feel better?
EFT and hypnotherapy are so powerful but essentially they are two different roads to the same destination. EFT, or tapping works on the energy system and helps release stored emotional blocks. It is clinically proven to calm the amygdala in the brain which is the emotional centre and the part of the brain responsible for the fight or flight response. There are loads of studies showing how amazing it is. Hypnotherapy works with the subconscious mind, where our beliefs and patterns are held. When you combine the two, it’s like opening a door to both body and mind at the same time. People feel calmer, lighter, more in control. It’s not just about coping, it’s about rewiring how you experience life. I tend to use hypnosis to find the deeper memories which are forming the beliefs which keep people stuck. You can simply guide someone into hypnosis and ask the subconscious mind to go to the memory which is responsible for this person having this problem for example… and it will literally take you straight there. It is incredible and together they are an amazingly powerful team!
What does a typical session with you look like for an individual or a corporate team?
A typical session with me is very collaborative. For an individual, we begin by talking through what they want to shift, I always ask them what they want to achieve by having the session. I start with the end in mind and then I guide them to that end. If they are aware of a specific intrusive memory I may start with EFT and tap that out. It works very quickly. But if someone comes with a lack of self-worth for example and they are not aware of any memories or reasons why this might be, I would potentially use hypnosis to get other memories so that they can release what no longer serves them.
In corporate settings it looks different, because I work with groups – sometimes through workshops, sometimes through tapping circles where no one has to share their story but everyone benefits. It’s practical, accessible, and immediately creates a sense of relief and connection.
Why did you decide to bring your work into the corporate world? How do your wellbeing programs help teams perform better and feel happier at work?
It happened quite organically. I was delivering a training course for employees on mental health, stress management and resilience and they started telling me about employees who were struggling with their mental health and asked me if I knew anyone who could help. Obviously I could and started to take referrals. I love this approach because companies are offering therapies via my company which differ from the conventional CBT and counselling that they would be getting from their Employee Assistance Programmes. Employees can choose which route to go down. I also love the fact that the company is paying for the therapy so people have access to me who wouldn’t usually be able to afford the sessions. It’s a win-win for everyone.
Bringing this work into the corporate world was a natural step. Companies often focus on productivity and performance, but true performance comes when people feel safe, balanced, and supported. My programmes don’t just help individuals feel better – they help teams communicate more effectively, reduce sickness, and boost overall morale. It’s healing with a ripple effect.
Tell us about Tapaway—what is it, and how can it help people?
Tapaway grew out of this vision too. It’s an app designed to make EFT available to anyone, anywhere, at any time. Imagine having a personal therapist in your pocket, guiding you through the exact tapping you need for stress, anxiety, sleep, or even boosting confidence before a meeting. Tapaway brings together the science of the mind with the simplicity of tapping, so people can shift their state in minutes. It is there to empower people to be able to regulate their own emotions.
What advice would you give women who want to turn difficult experiences into personal strength?
If I could give one piece of advice to women who are going through difficult experiences, it would be this – don’t judge your pain, and don’t compare it to anyone else’s. Trauma is subjective. What matters is how it felt to you. And if you can start to shift your perspective, with tools like EFT or hypnosis, you can take back your power. The very thing that once felt heavy can become the wisdom that lights your way forward. And most of all, know that whatever you are going through is happening FOR you not TO you. Get curious and don’t ask yourself ‘why is this happening to me?’ instead, get curious and ask ‘what is this trying to teach me?’ Just know it is ALL part of the process of life and no matter what YOU WILL ALWAYS BE OK!
How do you take care of your own wellbeing while helping so many others?
As for how I take care of myself – I practise what I teach. I tap, I meditate, I use sound healing, I walk in nature, and I spend time with people I love. I see wellbeing as a practice, not a destination. It’s about tuning in daily, listening to what your mind and body need, and giving yourself permission to pause. That way I can keep showing up fully for others while staying grounded and energised myself.
Because at the heart of it all, healing isn’t just about removing pain. It’s about remembering who you are underneath it. A Divine Being!
For more information on how Adel can help your employees contact [email protected]
