De-escalation: Grace Under Fire

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ELLIS AMDUR M.A., N.C.C., C.M.H.S.

Ellis Amdur is both a consultant specializing in trainings for those who face hostile and aggressive individuals and also a crisis intervention specialist in the Seattle, Washington area. He received his B.A. in psychology from Yale University in 1974, and his M.A. in psychology from Seattle University in 1990. He is both a National Certified Counselor, and a State Certified Child Mental Health Specialist.

He has trained in various martial arts systems for over thirty years, thirteen of those in Japan. Combining his knowledge of psychotherapy, crisis intervention, and martial traditions, Mr. Amdur has trained mental health professionals, disabled-housing staff, school personnel and students, Washington State DSHS social workers and clerical staff, survivors of abuse, various businesses and law enforcement personnel (both first-response officers and hostage negotiation teams).

He is a dynamic public speaker and trainer, presenting his work both nationwide and internationally. His trainings are noted for his humor and breadth of knowledge. His vivid descriptions and portrayals of aggressive and mentally ill individuals actively involve participants and help them retain and use in the field what they learn in his trainings.

Mr. Amdur offers consultation to therapists who are working with frightening individuals, or with clients who are in danger because of their association with such people.

He also has developed a unique method of psychosocial and family assessments, which has proved particularly useful in complex cases concerning child abuse and neglect. His work is exclusively in the home environment(s) of the children and/or parents associated with the case.

He is the author of two iconoclastic books on martial arts. The first, Dueling with Osensei, addresses the interface between combative studies in the dojo and the use of those skills, both mental and physical in the real world. The second, Old School, describes koryu, Japanese martial traditions, from his own unique perspective.