Ellis Amdur developed a range of training and consultation services, as well as a unique style of assessment and psychotherapy. All are based on a combination of phenomenological psychology and the underlying philosophical premises of classical Japanese martial traditions. His work focuses on communication to calm and control people manifesting mental illness and emotional disturbance, particularly those who are exhibiting potentially dangerous behaviors. He was a lead trainer for close to eight hundred law enforcement agencies, correctional institutions, social services agencies, schools and various businesses, all on crisis intervention related subjects. Ellis’s professional philosophy can best be summed up in this idea: the development of an individual’s integrity and dignity is the paramount virtue. This can only occur when people live courageously, regardless of the circumstances, and take responsibility for their roles in making the changes they desire. [He retired from active teaching in 2024, but continues to work as a consultant for people and agencies facing aggressive or otherwise chaotic/threatening individuals. He is also in regular consultation with Edgework Certified Trainers, to ensure that all information is presented at the highest level, thereby ensuring everyone’s safety.
He has authored and self-published thirteen books on the verbal de-escalation of aggression and calming of agitated mentally ill people, some with subject matter expert co-authors, all available on this site, as well as Shapeshifting: Scenario Training for Hostage Negotiation Teams, co-written with Fmr. Sgt. Lis Eddy, and a number of other books concerning dealing with people in extreme situations.
Running parallel to his professional life, he has trained and taught classic Japanese combat arts for nearly 50 years, spending thirteen of these years studying in Japan. He is a recognized expert in classical and modern Japanese martial traditions, and has authored four iconoclastic books and one DVD on this subject.
Finally, he has published four works of fiction: two novels set in pre-modern Japan, The Girl with the Face of the Moon and Little Bird & The Tiger; Lost Boy, set in contemporary America; and a graphic novel, Cimarronin, co-authored with Neal Stephenson, Charles Mann and Mark Teppo.
Links to Ellis Amdur’s other websites
www.edgework.info – This is the professional website of Ellis Amdur’s Edgework: Crisis Intervention Resources LLC, concerning Edgework training and institutional consultation.
www.kogenbudo.org – this website focuses on Ellis Amdur’s martial arts related writing and practice.