If trauma can be passed down through generations, so can wisdom. This workshop invites you to consider that your healing may be supported not only by your own inner resources, but also by the insight and strength carried through your ancestral line.
Listening When Parts Speak is a carefully designed experience that helps you access the gifts of ancestry while working with the burdens of personal, cultural, and intergenerational trauma. In this process, you will be guided to build a relationship between your inner parts and the healing resource within you known in Internal Family Systems (IFS) as Self.
Using mindfulness, guided meditation, experiential exercises, and teachings from the IFS model, you will deepen your connection to Self and learn to relate more skillfully to the parts of you that hold trauma. The workshop creates space for both understanding and transformation, with support for connecting to wise ancestors as part of the healing journey.
During the workshop, we will explore:
By the end of the workshop, you will be encouraged to consider how to bring these tools into daily life, especially when parts of you become activated or triggered. You will also have the opportunity to develop a new or deeper relationship with supportive ancestors who can offer guidance in everyday living. In addition, the workshop invites reflection on the inner parts of others, supporting a greater understanding that may help you respond with less personalization.
20 IFS-CE credits are available for participants who are trained in IFS Level 1 and may be applied toward IFS certification or recertification. A completion certificate will be issued only to those who attend all 20 hours of this retreat. If you are unable to attend the full 20 hours for any reason, you will not receive a completion certificate. Please see faculty for details.
Recommended Reading: Listening When Parts Speak: A Practical Guide to Healing with Internal Family Systems Therapy and Ancestor Wisdom by Tamala Floyd, LCSW
Lead photo: Emily Miller
Tamala Floyd, LCSW, is a psychotherapist, author, and retreat facilitator. Her latest book, Listening When Parts Speak: A Practical Guide to Healing with Internal Family Systems Therapy and Ancestor Wisdom, offers healing for personal and generational trauma.
Workshop Schedule
Accommodations & Tuition
Registration and payment for accommodations and tuition are completed in two separate steps. First, sign up and pay tuition directly to [Provider]. Then, click Book Accommodations from this page and enter the password to complete your reservation at Esalen. Accommodation prices include lodging, meals, open classes, and use of the baths and other facilities.
Scholarship funds are available for those with financial need.
COVID Update
All guests and faculty must provide proof of negative test results at check-in. Please review the current COVID safety guidelines for full details before booking your stay.
Designed for shared stays, this room type accommodates four to six guests in a welcoming, gender-inclusive setting, with a maximum stay of seven consecutive days. It’s a practical choice for retreat participants who value comfort, simplicity, and a sense of community during their time away.
Each bunk room includes twin-size bunk beds and a private bathroom with a shower, offering the privacy and convenience guests need throughout their stay. Fresh towels, bath soap, and bed linens are provided, so you can settle in with ease and focus on your experience rather than the details.
With its straightforward layout and thoughtfully provided essentials, this accommodation supports a restful and uncomplicated stay, making it well suited for those looking to share space while still enjoying comfort and functionality.
Ideal for guests who want a more social stay without the atmosphere of a dorm, this cozy shared room offers a comfortable and practical setup for up to three people of the same gender. The space is arranged with three beds: two on the main floor and one tucked into a sleeping loft, creating a simple, welcoming environment that still feels private and restful.
Each room includes an in-room bathroom with a shower, making daily routines easy and convenient. To help you settle in with ease, towels, bath soap, and bed linens are all provided. Whether you are traveling for a retreat, a wellness stay, or a peaceful getaway with others, this room offers a warm balance of connection, comfort, and simplicity.
Designed for guests seeking a little extra privacy, this inviting room offers a peaceful place to unwind within the charming, Big Sur-inspired motel atmosphere of the property. Thoughtfully located for convenience, it overlooks the main campus and garden, giving you a calming view to return to throughout your stay.
Inside, you’ll find a private bathroom and a comfortable setting that supports rest, simplicity, and easy access to the wider retreat experience. It’s an ideal choice for solo travelers or couples looking for a quiet, well-situated space to recharge between wellness activities, meals, and moments of relaxation.
If you’d like to share the room, one additional guest may join for an extra $250 per night.
Settle into a relaxed stay surrounded by the charming motel-inspired atmosphere of Big Sur. This Standard Two Double Beds room offers a comfortable, unfussy space designed for easy rest and shared travel. With two double beds and a private bathroom, it is a practical choice for friends, couples, or family members looking to enjoy time together while still having room to unwind.
The room’s simple, welcoming feel makes it easy to slow down after a day of exploring, reconnecting, or simply enjoying a peaceful break. Whether you are traveling for a quiet getaway or a shared adventure, this space provides the comfort and privacy you need for a restful stay.
Tamala Floyd, LCSW, brings a compassionate, grounded presence to her work as a psychotherapist, author, and retreat facilitator. Known for guiding people through deep inner work with clarity and care, she supports healing that reaches beyond the individual and into the wisdom of family lineage. Her latest book, Listening When Parts Speak: A Practical Guide to Healing with Internal Family...
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Mon, Sep 14 – Fri, Sep 18