Consultation For Those In Extreme or Dangerous Situations
Ellis Amdur offers private consultation for people who encounter troubling individuals who present a risk to either others or themselves, both ordinary individuals and professionals. (Please note: This is not psychotherapy; it is consultation. I try to assist people in difficult situations. Therefore, I try to work expeditiously, and although psychologically-informed, I am engaged to problem-solve with you, and that includes giving you direct advice.)
This includes assistance dealing with aggressive or suicidal people, as well as those struggling with mental illness, within your family, I also offers tactical assessments regarding stalkers (based on the information you and others provide), and then recommend actions that have the best chance of minimizing a stalker’s approaches. The goal of such assessment is to assist you in organizing the information that the stalker ‘provides,’ both to aid in keeping yourself safe, and to aid in effectively communicating your concerns to both law enforcement and, perhaps, to a prosecutor or other officials of the legal system.
Finally, I work with individuals who are being victimized in a violent relationship, be it emotional or physical abuse. I will assist you in understanding what is actually happening; violence can be so devastating that you can get a) overwhelmed and then confused what you should so, or b) so intimidated that you believe yourself to be too powerless to escape. I will assist you in making a decision when or even if you should leave, and how you should most safely do so. Such decisions are often tactical–safety concerns rather than psychological issues, but in either case, I will provide the consultation necessary for you to do what needs to be done. Finally, I will assist you in gathering your resources, so you find yourself to be strong enough to make the best decision for you (and often for your children).
Although emotional issues can certainly arise–issues that I am committed to assisting you–this work is primarily a consultation concerned with figuring out the best way to establish a better life for you and your loved ones.
When necessary – and only with your permission – I will consult with other experts in threat management, including law enforcement, to ensure that you can achieve safety and well-being.
Books To Supplement Consultation Regarding Extreme Situations
I have released a number of books concerning safety in extreme situations – the appropriate book will be a pre-requisite for consultation
- Among them are a series of thirteen, profession-specific books on de-escalation of aggressive individuals and those suffering from mental illness, specific to the profession or role of life that you are in. Of particular relevance to many is In the Eye of the Hurricane, the book most relevant to families concerned about the wellbeing of a loved one with mental illness, or for therapists and case managers to work with families in this area.
- Also extremely relevant are two books THE COORDINATOR (for law enforcement and military) and THE ACCORD AGENT (for the worksite), in situations where, for the benefit of all, you must take the lead role with people who have problematic ways of interacting and who may not trust you.
- Final Chapters, for those facing end of life issues, particularly in regards to loved ones.
Logistics
I meet with clients in their home or at another place of their choosing. I also consult by phone or other electronic media, enabling me to work with people around the globe. I do not maintain an office for meetings. My standard fee for face-to-face consultation is $160 per hour, billed in ¼ hour increments, paid at the end of each session. My travel time is not included in this fee if you are local to me (in driving range from north Seattle). If travel time is generally beyond 45 minutes each way (and not simply because of a traffic jam on a particular day), you will be responsible for payment at $80 per hour.
I also offer virtual consultation, through such media as Skype, Facetime, Zoom or Facebook Messenger for the full range of services described on this site. When filling out the contact page, include your time zone, best times to reach you, and the means to do so. My standard fee on online consultation is $120 per hour, billed in ¼ hour increments. When filling out the contact page, include your time zone, best times to reach you, and the means (online method or phone number) to do so.
Sessions are ‘as long as it takes.’ Rather than fostering dependency, I wish you to acquire the necessary strength to not need consultation. Paradoxically, this is best achieved in longer sessions, often two, even three hours. Sessions come to a natural close, either when sufficient work as been done, or an issue fully worked through. We can certainly architect a session to a specific time limit based on your financial situation. It is then my responsibility to ‘titrate’ the session so that it comes to a completion point at a specific time. If it is necessary to go over that time, I assume responsibility for that and will not charge you beyond a pre-agreed time.
Please note: I am not on any insurance board. If you wish to submit a request to your insurance company for partial or full reimbursement, I will fill out any necessary paperwork, but I make no promise that the insurance company will reimburse you.