Meet Tamala Floyd, LCSW

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tamala Floyd, LCSW. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tamala below.

Hi Tamala, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

I found myself in the situation recently as the first Black person and person of color to become a Solo Lead Trainer of Internal Family Systems Therapy. This is significant because this model provides deep healing and people of color need access to this model, particularly from people who share important identifies with them.

I have learned to speak for being the only one in the room. I see my role as speaking for the needs of those similar to me who are not present. I also have learned to not hide allowing myself to seen and to speak to the difficult conversation that need to be had in the space. I also try to show up as authentically as I can. To this end, I express my vulnerability. I speak for the importance that I am not seen as a check box for diversity, but as an opening for others who have marginalized identities to enter the space bringing their unique perspectives.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am an Internal Family Systems (IFS) psychotherapist who applies the model to every aspect of my life and business. I write books helping people use IFS for self-discovery and healing of emotional wounds and trauma. I welcome ancestors into the healing work, especially when addressing generational/legacy burdens and trauma. My book, “Listening When Parts Speak: A Practical Guide to Healing with Internal Family Systems Therapy and Ancestor Wisdom,” brings IFS and connection to ancestors together to support folks on their healing journeys.

I host retreats and workshops focusing on healing generational trauma with the guidance of our ancestors. My brand as the The Living Ancestor is spreading the word on the impact of legacy burdens on individuals, families, organizations, systems, and the world at large. Each of us can access the wisdom and medicine of our ancestral lines to contribute to the continuation of humankind where every person’s humanity is honored, respected, and valued. I realize this change will take time and I will not live to see it’s fullness, and I also know I have a sacred responsibility to do my part.

Upcoming Events
Healing Legacy Burdens Retreat for Black Women
September 3–9, 2025A powerful 5-day retreat centering the healing of legacy burdens through the IFS model in a supportive space for Black women. Register here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/lwpsmoroccoretreat

Esalen Legacy Burdens Workshop (Open to All)
June 23–28, 2025 at Esalen Institute This 5-day in-person workshop explores the connection between Internal Family Systems and ancestral healing wisdom. Learn more at: https://www.esalen.org/workshops/internal-family-systems-and-ancestor-wisdom-listening-when-parts-speak-06232025

Self-Discovery Group (Open to All)
A reflective IFS-based group for anyone looking to explore their internal world, parts, and patterns with curiosity and compassion. Sign up here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Self_discovery_2025

Healing the Wounded Mother – Audiobook
A guided audio experience to explore how a mother’s unresolved wounds can shape her relationships with her children. Embracing both the pain and the possibility of change, a wounded mother can rewrite her story with IFS-inspired practices.
Listen on Audible: https://hayhs.com/htwm_pp_ad_az
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1zH2TDdprTK82IrpQLHi9n?si=dd58dce28f7b46fc

Listening When Parts Speak – Book
A practical guide to understanding and working with internal parts using the IFS model and ancestor wisdom.
Order the book at: https://hayhs.com/lwps_pp_pb_az

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Quality – Vulnerability and intuition using myself as a example; expressing vulnerability instead of trying to hide it, sharing my emotions as I feel them

Skill – Ability to help people feel safe, encouraging them to express who they are, and accepting them as they show up

Knowledge – Knowing that we are all connected. Knowing that what I do can elevate or harm the whole. I accept that you are part of me and I am part of you and together we make the whole. I know real healing for the whole will happened when we stop pretending that this is not true. Liberation will come when we accept that what we do to or for another we do to or for ourselves and all others. This truth is liberating if we allow ourselves to live it.

How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?

With 10 years to live, I would work toward connecting as many people as possible to their ancestral lineages, reconnecting to the healing wisdom found there, and brining it into the world. Much of the suffering in the world does not have to exist. It is so because too many of us are not doing enough to change it.

I want to work with like-minded people who know the path to social change is through restoring humanity for all. Many of these people are already identified and doing the work. I would spend my last years collaborating with them to come up with innovative ways to work together preparing the next generations to take up the cause.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tamalafloyd.com/
• Instagram: tamalafloyd_author
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tamala.b.floyd
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamala-floyd-lcsw-2ba1a837/