Ellis Amdur lived in Japan for thirteen years, and while there, received teaching licenses in two classical Japanese martial traditions. Since his return to America, he has developed a range of training and consultation services, as well as a unique style of assessment and psychotherapy, based on a combination of phenomenological psychology and the underlying philosophical and tactical premises of classical Japanese martial traditions. Ellis has been a lead trainer for close to one hundred law enforcement and correctional institutions on crisis intervention and negotiation-related subjects. A prolific writer, he has authored ten profession-specific books on tactical communication with mentally ill and emotionally disturbed individuals, and several works of fiction. In addition to Old School, he has also authored two other martial arts-related texts, Dueling with O-sensei, and Hidden in Plain Sight.