Edgework

CV – Ellis Amdur

Curriculum Vitae

Ellis Amdur, M.A., N.C.C., C.M.H.S.

Founder of Edgework: Crisis Intervention Resources LLC

Overview of qualifications:

Verbal De-escalation of Extreme States: Training Seminars concerning Control of Aggression, Suicide Intervention, Effective Calming and Communication with Those Struggling with Mental Illness,  and Effective Clinical Work with Individuals  with Characterological Disorders. These trainings have been offered to law enforcement of all types, social services, schools and business, and  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 professional responsibilities of the agency, 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.

Individual Consultation:  For adults and for couples, coaching for parents with children who present with concerning behaviors, and at the more extreme end, consultation for those attempting to deal with individual threats, such as stalking or domestic violence.

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

Publications Concerning Psychology and Crisis Intervention (Books & e-Books)

THE ACCORD AGENT:  Managing Intense Problematic Social Interactions Within a Business Environment – Ellis Amdur & Robert Hubal

BODY AND SOUL: Toward a Radical Intersubjectivity in Psychotherapy

COOLING THE FLAMES: Communication, Control, and De-escalation of Mentally Ill and Aggressive Patients A Comprehensive Guidebook for EMS and Paramedics  – Ellis Amdur & John K. Murphy

  • Translated into French

THE COORDINATOR:  Managing High-Risk High-Consequence Social Interactions in an Unfamiliar Environment – Ellis Amdur & Robert Hubal

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

FROM 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

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 BEHIND BARS: Communication, Control, and De-escalation of Mentally Ill and Aggressive Inmates A Comprehensive Guidebook for Correctional Officers in Jail Settings – Ellis Amdur, Michael Blake & Chris De Villeneuve

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

SAFE WITHIN THE WALLS: Communication, Control, and De-escalation of Mentally Ill and Aggressive Inmates A Comprehensive Guidebook for Correctional Officers in Prison Settings – Ellis Amdur

  • Translated into Spanish

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

SHAPESHIFTING: Scenario Training for Crisis Negotiators (for Law Enforcement CNT/HNT) – Ellis Amdur & Lisabeth Eddy

SHAPESHIFTING: Scenario Training for Crisis Negotiators (for Correctional Facility CNT/HNT) – Ellis Amdur & Lisabeth Eddy

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

THREAT ASSESSMENT FOR THE ARMED CITIZEN – Ellis Amdur

WORDS OF POWER: A Guide for ordinary People to Calm and De-Escalaete Aggressive Individuals – Ellis Amdur

  • Translated into Spanish

Publications Concerning Martial Arts (Books and DVDs)

Dueling with O-Sensei: Grappling with the Myth of the Warrior Sage  – Expanded 2nd Edition – Freelance Academy Press, Chicago, Il (2016)

  • Translated in Italian, French, Hungarian, and Greek

Old School: Essays on Classical Japanese Martial Tradition – Expanded 2nd Edition – Freelance Academy Press, Chicago, Il (2016)

  • Translated in Spanish, French and Italian

Hidden in Plain Sight: Esoteric Power Training Within Japanese Martial Traditions – Expanded 2nd Edition –Freelance Academy Press, Chicago, Il (2018)

  • Translated into French

Ukemi from the Ground UpDVD on methods of taking falls for martial artists

Fiction by Ellis Amdur

The Cimarronin: A Samurai in New Spain: Neal Stephenson, Charles Mann, Ellis Amdur & Mark Teppo (A series of graphic novels) – Jet City Comics, a subsidiary of Amazon (2015)

The Girl with the Face of the Moon – Kindle Direct Publishing – (2014) – Ellis Amdur

Employment History

From 2016 – 2024 – Co-Founder – GullaAmdur Associates – Retired

1992 to 2024
Founder – Edgework: Crisis Intervention Resources LLC – Retired from active teaching. Continuing to offer consultation to individuals and organizations concerning volatile and potentially dangerous individuals

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

Education

1974 – Psychology, B.A. – Yale University

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

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

Notable Continuing Education & Professional Development

2013 – Crisis intervention Team Force Options – 8 Hours

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

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

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

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

Certification

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

1995 – National Certified Counselor

1993 – Washington State Certified Child Mental Health Specialist

 Other Professional Work of Note

2004  – 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 were forced both to suffer terrifying trauma and inflict terrifying trauma, who are now trying to recover their lives.