Resources by Dr. Angelika Halstead
Here you’ll find my published and developing works for people who wish to deepen their psycho-spiritual growth. These journal articles, doctoral research, contemplative writing papers, and forthcoming books explore therapeutic writing, contemplative practice, and transformative faith development.
Published Paper | Pilgrimage on Paper: A contemplative writing practice
This paper introduces an innovative contemplative writing process that aligns with the classical stages of pilgrimage. It combines the therapeutic benefits of writing with contemplative practices. By following its six distinct steps our human storylines converge in a moment of epiphany and we become living participants of sacred stories. We reclaim the gift of our larger story and return with an experience of a re-enchanted, interconnected world that is brimming with divine presence.
Published in International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage, Volume 14(i) 2026
Doctoral Thesis | Writing your Way Home
My doctoral thesis describes the transformational journey of eleven participants who went through the original Writing Your Way Home therapeutic writing course. The findings of my research show that combining writing with psychological and spiritual input, contemplative practices, and therapeutic support, maximises its transformative power and therapeutic effects. The stories of the participants reveal transformative changes in their perceptions, spiritual consciousness, character structures, emotional spheres, relational approaches, vocational aspirations, and foundational identity.
Article | Companionship for Your Soul: Reflections on spiritual direction and counselling
In this article I reflect on the commonalities, differences and overlaps between spiritual direction and counselling. While counselling often begins with a presenting problem and spiritual direction with listening for God’s presence and invitation, both can foster growth and transformation of the whole person. I also explore Internal Family Systems (IFS), and how its understanding of the authentic Self can enrich both counselling and spiritual direction.
Published in Refresh Journal of Contemplative Spirituality, Winter 2026, Volume 28, Issue 1
Article | Iona: A pilgrimage, a book, and a new approach to gardening.
The topic of pilgrimage has fascinated me for a very long time and the more I engage in this spiritual practice I notice the similarities between pilgrimage and the HOMING writing model. Both invite us onto a journey of contemplation and transformation. In this article I write about my pilgrimage to Iona with its insights and outcomes which reflects the five common stages of pilgrimage.
Published in Refresh Journal of Contemplative Spirituality, Summer 2025, Volume 27, Issue 2.
Article | The Healing Effects of Feminine Energy
This writing journey and the HOMING model encourage you to move into a space where you can encounter the divine. Whatever image we carry in our heart of God or the divine will affect the nature of this encounter. In this article I explore the healing effect of positive feminine God images and share some of my own and my clients’ experiences with the Divine Feminine.
First published in Refresh Journal of Contemplative Spirituality, Winter 2025, Volume 27, Issue 1.
Book in Progress | Removing roadblocks on the journey towards Love and inner Freedom
My husband and I have worked with many spiritual seekers and people who long to move to the next stage of their spiritual development, ability to love and experience of inner freedom. In this book we describe the roadblocks that we and those who consult us have experienced. We map out different paths that show how to overcome these roadblocks and move towards a greater level of wholeness and closeness to God.
You can learn about our first book, IT WORKS: Stories of Transformative Spiritual Practices HERE.