Edgework Staff: Ellis Amdur

Verbal De-escalation of Extreme States – Seminars & Trainings in Control of Aggression, Suicide Intervention and Effective Clinical Work with Characterological Disordered People – various training seminars for law enforcement, social services, schools and business. These range from a basic seminar presentation to advanced scenario training for hostage negotiators

Grand Rounds - This is an advanced training concerning subjects of concern such as working with people with severe mental illness or character disorders.  The group presents cases or situations of concern and Mr. Amdur provides strategic options concerning safety, as well as case management or therapeutic issues.  Interventions are geared to the needs of the client, which can be a mental health clinic, social services agency or business.

Consultancy Practice – in a variety of venue including law enforcement, business and mental health settings regarding volatile, suicidal or otherwise dangerous individuals.  Specialized consultancy in stalking situations.

Expert Witness in cases regarding child abuse and neglect as well as interaction between law enforcement and mentally ill or emotionally disturbed individuals.

Psychotherapy for Adolescents and Adults – Individual counseling for teens and adults, coaching for parents with difficult children and counseling for couples.

Case and Record Review - In depth review of cases concerning child abuse and neglect, as well as family assessments.

Evasion of Assault for Mental Health Professionals and School Personnel – physical evasion procedures suitable for individuals with no athletic training

Publications Concerning Psychology and Crisis Intervention (Books)

CHAOS TO COMPLIANCE: Communication, Control, and De-escalation of Mentally Ill, Emotionally Disturbed and Aggressive Offenders A Comprehensive Guidebook for Parole and Probation Officers - Ellis Amdur & Alan Pelton

EVERYTHING ON THE LINE: Calming and De-escalation of Aggressive and Mentally Ill Individuals on the Phone A Comprehensive Guidebook for Emergency Dispatch (9-1-1) Centers - Ellis Amdur

GUARDING THE GATES: Calming, Control and De-escalation of Mentally Ill, Emotionally Disturbed and Aggressive Individuals A Comprehensive Guidebook for Security Guards - Ellis Amdur & William Cooper

GRACE UNDER FIRE: Skills to Calm and De-escalate Aggressive and Mentally Ill Individuals in Outpatient Settings: 2nd Edition A Comprehensive Guidebook for Health and Social Services Agencies, and Individual Practitioners - Ellis Amdur

IN THE EYE OF THE HURRICANE: Skills to Calm and De-escalate Aggressive and Mentally Ill Family Members: 2nd Edition - Ellis Amdur

SAFE HAVEN: Skills to Calm and De-escalate Aggressive and Mentally Ill Individuals: 2nd Edition A Comprehensive Guidebook for Personnel Working in Hospital and Residential Settings - Ellis Amdur

SAFETY AT WORK: Skills to Calm and De-escalate Aggressive and Mentally Ill Individuals A Comprehensive Guidebook for Corporate Security Managers, Human Resources Staff, Loss Prevention Specialists, Executive Protection, and others involved in Threat Management Professions - Ellis Amdur & William Cooper

THE THIN BLUE LIFELINE: Verbal De-escalation of Mentally Ill and Emotionally Disturbed People A Comprehensive Guidebook for Law Enforcement Officers - Ellis Amdur & John Hutchings

Pending Publications (2012)

SAFE BEHIND BARS: Communication, Control, and De-escalation of Mentally Ill and Aggressive Inmates A Comprehensive Guidebook for Correctional Officers in Jail Settings (Pub. Pending, 2012) - Ellis Amdur & Chris De Villeneuve

SAFE BEHIND THE WALLS: Communication, Control, and De-escalation of Mentally Ill and Aggressive Inmates A Comprehensive Guidebook for Correctional Officers in Prison Settings (Pub. Pending, 2012) - Ellis Amdur & George Galaza

Publications Concerning Martial Arts (Books and DVDs)

Dueling with O-Sensei: Grappling with the Myth of the Warrior Sage  

• Translation published in Greece by Alkimachon Publications
• Translation published in Hungary by Unicornis Press (www.asunicornis.hu)

Old School: Essays on Classical Japanese Martial Tradition

• Translation published in France by Budo Editions
• Translation published in Spain by Shinden Ediciones

Hidden in Plain Sight: Tracing the Roots of Ueshiba Morihei's Power

Ukemi from the Ground Up – DVD on methods of taking falls for martial artists

1992 to present
Founder – Edgework: Crisis Intervention Resources PLLC

1992-1998
Crisis Intervention Specialist in Emergency Services – Compass Health, Everett, WA 98203  (1997-1999 – Clinical Supervisor of the Children’s Crisis Team)

1998
Associate Professor – Edmonds Community College – Counseling Program

1997
Associate Professor – Antioch University – Graduate Program of Psychology

1990-1992
Crisis Intervention Specialist – Community Psychiatric Clinic – 4319 Stone Way N., Seattle, WA  98103

1974 – Psychology, B.A. – Yale University

1990 – Clinical Psychology, M.A. – Seattle University

1992 – Graduate, Hakomi Institute’s Professional Training in Psycho-therapeutic Techniques

1994 – The Reid Technique of Investigative Interviewing for Child Abuse Investigations – 20 hours

2003 – Basic Skills for Close Protection Officers – Meido, Limited, Great Britain – 32 hours

2004 – Basic Hostage Negotiation Skills – FBI under auspices of Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission – 36 hours

2009 – Physical Conflict Resolution (PCR) - Progressive Combat Solutions – 40 hours

2001 – WA. State Licensed Mental Health Counselor (#020703  LH0004793)
(Previously Certified Mental Health Counselor from 1995)

1995 – National Certified Counselor (#38452)

1993 – Washington State Certified Child Mental Health Specialist

2004 – Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (NW Chapter)

2004 – Western States Hostage Negotiators Association

2004-ongoing – Psychological Consultant to the South African/Madagascar documentary, Being Junior, 14 years old: Ex-soldier – this is a documentary on the boy-soldiers of the Congo, who forced both to suffer terrifying trauma and inflict terrifying trauma are now trying to recover their lives.

Biannual presentation to Seattle University’s Masters Program in Psychology on “The Art of Assessment”

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