PJ Long is available for personal appearances, most often as a speaker and a guide to surviving and coping with brain injury, and on a spiritual-based approach to recovering confidence and the sense of oneself. She has delivered keynotes and speeches at brain injury and cancer-related events; professional development seminars for rehab hospitals and hospice; state and national conferences for brain injury associations; inspirational /educational events for cancer patients, survivors and caregivers; radio and television talk shows. Drawing on both personal experience and her background in psychotherapy, PJ has demonstrated a unique capacity to connect with a range of audiences-from professional caregivers, physicians, and therapists to TBI victims and cancer-survivor groups.

Mark Johnson, host of WDEV Vermont's award-winning news show, says: "PJ is one of the most gripping people I've interviewed. I have not had the kind of audience response I had with her—ever."

 
Groups and events which have featured PJ Long as a speaker include:

  • Pacific NW Brain Injury Conference
  • Neural Perspectives Conference
  • Brain Injury Association of Vermont
  • Federated Church of Rochester VT
  • Congregational Church, Charlotte VT
  • Unitarian Church of Montpelier VT

  
  • New York State Department of Health, Best Practices Conference 2008
  • Weekend of Hope for cancer survivors
  • American Cancer Society Relay for Life
  • Vermont Flower Show
  • Stowe (VT) Free Library
  • University of Massachusetts
  

Current Topics for Speeches, Keynotes and Seminars

Seasons of Healing: Lessons from nature's timeless wisdom to guide us in recovery.
Relinquishment and Acceptance: The paradox of suffering and the journey toward faith.
Living with Brain Injury: Strategies, dreams, and ways to stay organized when your mind isn't.
Writing as a way of Healing: Pen and paper become like needle and thread, mending the torn fabric of our lives.
Sanctuary in a Garden: A single plant in a window, or a vast landscape, the garden is a place to plant hope.
Coping with Chemo Brain: Tools and techniques to enhance quality of life after cancer treatment.
 
Workshops and Trainings

In addition to independent speaking engagement, PJ also regularly conducts workshops and on-site trainings for CMI Education Institute. PJ's "Spiritual Counseling Facilitator Training Program," a 3-day conference sponsored by the American Academy of Bereavement, explores questions essential for spiritual conselors: How do we discover someone's spiritual language? How can we show respect for that language and use that language to improve someone's health? How can we talk about issues of spirituality without using words that are heavily laden with religious prejudice? How do we create an environment whereby people feel comfortable in talking about their beliefs and values? How do we respond to people who ask us to pray for them? How do we respond to people who have religious beliefs and values that are causing psychological and physical damage to themselves and others? How can we explore and enhance spirituality through physical activities? How can we explore and enhance spirituality through guided imagery? How can we explore and enhance spirituality though the client's interactions with others? How can we use various forms of meditation, guided imagery, and psychological tools to explore the spiritual?
 
Comments on PJ Long by Conference Organizers and Professionals

"I've worked in the brain injury field for over 30 years, and I was blown away by her presentation. She is a remarkable author and person."
~ Ronald C. Savage, Ed.D.,
Executive Vice President, North American Brain Injury Society


"Her former work as a psychotherapist comes through in her soothing way of speaking, but with the emotion needed to hold her audience and make them yearn to hear more. She is able to inspire an array of feelings while commanding the interest and attention from her listeners. I have overheard people respond that it is as if she is addressing them personally. [They] swarm to her after presentations wanting to share of themselves, ask questions, or just stand by to listen as she engages with those wanting to speak with her."
~ Carol A. Leech, M.Ed.,
Vermont Division of Vocational Rehabilitation


"I was thoroughly entranced by P.J. Long's keynote at this years' Department of Health's Traumatic Brain Injury best practices symposium. Her presentation was imaginative, poetric, and deeply moving as it took the listener through the seasons of life adjusting to self-awareness as a person living a full life with a brain injury. I have attended many of the 15 best practice conferences dating back to 1994 and there is no doubt that her presentation was the most captivating yet!"
~ Robert Gumson, Mgr. of Independent Living Services
Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities
New York State Department of Education


"I recently heard PJ Long deliver the keynote address at the New York State Department of Health Best Practices conference. I was so impressed by the content of her talk that I immediately added several quotes from her talk to the presentation I was about to give on identity construction after brain injury. But her style of presentation and the beauty and incisiveness of her many metaphors were even more impressive than her content. It was the best talk of that sort I have heard -- truly outstanding."
~ Mark Ylvisaker, PhD, Rehabilitation Consultant
College of Sainst Rose, Albany


"There were 66 people here today. Each left a bit healed because PJ reached most deeply into herself and brought her gift to us. . . She has the ability to offer hope for all sorts and conditions of people on difficult journeys in life."
~ Rev. Bill Daniels,
Congregational Church, Concord NH


"She was an inspiration to all … her presentation and delivery were outstanding -she speaks beautifully … Everyone was in awe."
~ Jane Weaver,
Relay for Life Organizer, American Cancer Society


"In her soft, clear voice, PJ Long is a powerful speaker. Eloquently, poignantly, at times humorously, PJ told us about her struggle to find and reassemble her self after a life-altering brain injury. In its rigorous honesty, her story transcended the personal to connect with our own experiences of the isolation of adversity, the terror of losing any component of our sense of self, the flailing for familiar equilibrium. In sharing the essential truths of her experience, PJ Long offered us illumination and sustenance in our own living."
~ Ruth Wallace-Brodeur,
Worship and Arts Chair, Unitarian Church


"The evaluation summaries clearly state how wonderful her presentation was. One mother told me, 'it even moved my husband to tears, and he hasn't cried since our son's accident.' Many stated that they got more out of her keynote than anyone that we had ever had speak in the past."
~ Erin Weaver, Supervisor,
Vt. Division of Disability and Aging Services


 
Comments from Participants

. . . Insightful. Warm. Deep. ~ The BEST!! . . . PJ's presence is particularly warm and friendly, coupled with a great sense of humor. . . . Excellent seminar! Very informative, Very Soothing! You leave feeling refreshed!! . . . Information presented in a way I could understand. So many good ideas! Ms. Long's elocution, presence, and spirit of delivery at the podium placed her in my mind as one of the finest speakers I have listened to. As one woman expressed after the talk, 'This has been a life-changing evening.' Her laughter, grace, and strength is an inspiration to all who daily face loss, challenges, and changes in life. . . . I am in awe of her calm and professional manner, and the way she takes her topic to a higher level… I personally look forward to hearing her speak at every opportunity. . . . So honest and heartfelt - PJ Long has done a great deal to reduce the sense of isolation so many have suffered. . . . She is fabulous and fully present! . . . The way PJ gives voice to her experience and thoughts … is rare and fine. The music, the words, her spirit, all combined to take us beyond where we were. . . . She certainly knows how to project… precious offerings from the heart. . . . I have never heard a better speaker! I came away with so much, I want to experience this workshop again and again. . . . Excellent activities and stories to reinforce important points. Delightful to listen to. Great skills and exercises to develop them. . . . Very informative and motivating … I have received more here than I have at any other conferences! . . . Thank you for leading us into scary ground - it felt very safe with you. . . . This was another day when what was "given" greatly exceeded expectations! . . . PJ totally rocks!



Contact PJ by email here.