Speaking & Presenting

On June 20th, 2025, The Florida Internal Affairs Investigators Association selected Cathi Long, LMFT, owner of 360 Counseling in Clearwater, Florida, as a featured speaker at their annual conference held on Clearwater Beach at the Hyatt Hotel—recognizing her unique ability to speak authentically and clinically to the mental health needs of the First Responder community.

Cathi brings a rare and powerful perspective. Before becoming a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, she served as a police officer, detective, and sex crimes investigator, giving her firsthand understanding of the operational stress, cumulative trauma, and cultural realities faced by law enforcement professionals. In addition, her husband currently serves as a police officer, further grounding her work in the lived experience of law enforcement families.

This combination of real-world law enforcement experience and clinical expertise allows Cathi to bridge the gap between the badge and behavioral health—addressing mental wellness in a way that resonates with officers, investigators, command staff, and their families.

At the conference, Cathi spoke on the importance of mental health awareness, resilience, and relational support within the First Responder community, offering practical insight grounded in both professional training and personal understanding. Her presentation was met with strong engagement, affirming the need for voices that truly understand the demands of the job.

Organizations seeking a speaker who can speak credibly, compassionately, and effectively to First Responders will find Cathi Long to be an invaluable resource.

 Cathi Long, LMFT has played a pivotal leadership role in advancing access to mental health care for First Responders through her long-standing partnership with the nonprofit Mental Health for Heroes.

Over a five-year collaboration, Cathi helped facilitate no-cost mental health services for hundreds of First Responders, ensuring that those who serve their communities had access to confidential, culturally competent care. Through the partnership between 360 Counseling and Mental Health for Heroes, barriers to treatment—including cost, stigma, and lack of understanding—were systematically removed.

Cathi’s impact extended beyond clinical oversight. Drawing on her background as a former law enforcement officer, detective, and sex crimes investigator, she brought a deep understanding of both First Responder culture and institutional accountability. This allowed her to effectively translate frontline mental health needs into clear, data-informed reports and presentations for the foundation’s board.

Her ability to communicate complex clinical outcomes in concise, accessible language was instrumental in securing additional funding for the program, including the successful acquisition of a federal grant—significantly expanding the nonprofit’s reach and sustainability.

This rare combination of operational credibility, clinical expertise, and executive-level communication makes Cathi a powerful speaker for conferences, boards, agencies, and organizations seeking to understand not only why First Responder mental health matters—but how to build effective, funded solutions.