Dr. Dan L. Edmunds is an Existential Psychotherapist and Psychological Services Associate. Dr. Edmunds completed undergraduate studies at the University of Florida and received a Master of Arts in Theology from the University of Scranton. Dr. Edmunds completed post graduate coursework in Dispute Resolution at Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Edmunds earned a Doctorate of Education in Pastoral Community Counseling from Argosy University of Sarasota. He has served as a Psychological Services Associate Dr. Edmunds has completed psychological evaluations under supervision for children and adolescent behavioral health rehabilitation services, day treatment, and therapeutic family care services. He has served as a High Risk Behavioral Health Counselor.
Dr. Edmunds is a prior member of the American Psychological Association He is Board Certified in Sexual Abuse Trauma via the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and is a member of the Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia and an Associate Member of the New York Institute for Gestalt Therapy.
Dr. Edmunds work has focused on autistic empowerment, relational approaches to extreme states of mind, spirituality, and social justice. His work has been featured at Psychology Today online, Relevant Radio, Catholic Stand, Autism File, Autism Radio, Art for Autism, Asylum Magazine, CCHR International, Autism Parenting Magazine, Autism World, Chronogram Magazine, Psychology Tomorrow, InRecovery Magazine, Pioneer Magazine, CNN Philadelphia and radio programs in Des Moines, Iowa; Hartford, CT; Providence, RI; Phoenix, AZ; Los Angeles, CA; Daytona Beach, FL; Tampa, FL; Melbourne, FL; Oakland University; Ocala, FL; Blackwood, NJ, and Providence, RI.
From 2008 to 2011 Dr. Edmunds led a therapeutic community project offering dignified alternatives to those undergoing extreme stats of mind (what is commonly labeled as schizophrenia, schizoafective disorder, and bipolar disorder). His work focused on compassion, dignity, and autonomy. Dr. Edmunds has sought to be faithful to experience and sees the experience often labeled as schizophrenia as metaphorical and intelligible, a means of individuals conveying immense distress and oppression. Dr. Edmunds as an autistic self-advocate has been a strong proponent of autistic empowerment and has developed approaches focused on recognising strengths while helping persons in the autism spectrum be able to navigate through the mainstream and seeing autism as a mode of being.
Dr. Edmunds has spoken at various professional conferences including 2007 Alternative Education Resources Conference at Russell Sage College, an invited speaker at the 2013 Society for Humanistic Psychology Conference at Pacifica Graduate Conference, and the International Center for Ethical Psychology and Psychiatry (2005, 2010). Dr. Edmunds presented at the 2019 National Association of Social Workers conference and "Autism: Tolerance to Awareness to Acceptance to Empowerment" and is scheduled to present in 2022 on Extreme States of Mind and dignified alternatives. Dr. Edmunds served as a speaker for an online conference sponsored by Mind Zone- Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. He is a contributing author to the Autism Network Journal of the National Centre for Autism (New Delhi). Dr. Edmunds will be presenting to the American Ethical Union in 2022 on autistic empowerment. Dr. Edmunds is a member of Columcille Inc. which cares for Columcille Megalith Park, a spiritual sanctuary in the Poconos.
Dr. Edmunds is the author of BEING AUTISTIC, COSMIC DANCE, MYSTICAL METAPHORS, SACRED SPACE AND VOICES IN THE WILDERNESS, METANOIA, DRUG FREE COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO ADHD, SUTRA ON DESPAIR AND OVERCOMING, MEETING OF TWO PERSONS, and ABSURDITY AND THE COURAGE TO BE.
Dr. Edmunds served as the youngest legislative aide in the State of Colorado and as a youth was involved in various political campaigns.
Dr. Edmunds has had particular interest in the study of Comparative Religion. His studies have included Buddhism, Sanatan Dharma (Hinduism), Eastern Orthodox Christianity, Western Christianity, Islam, Baha'i, Sikhism, and Jainism. Dr. Edmunds took Mahayana Reuge Vows at the Kadampa Buddhist Temple in Glen Spey, NY in 2007 and incorporates mindfulness based exercises and meditation into his practice.
1975- Dr. Dan L. Edmunds is born in Tampa, Florida
1981- begins elementary school at North Shore Elementary School in St. Petersburg, FL and is part of the Enhanced Learning Program (Gifted program)
1983- relocates to Fort Collins, Colorado
1987- begns exploration of world belief systems visting various communities including St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Shambala Center in Red Feather Lakes, Congregation Har Shalom, Saint Lukes Episcopal Church, Fort Collins Islamic Center among other communities
1991- becomes youngest legislative aide in the Colorado State Senate while a student at Fort Collins High School, later in year relocates to Ormond by the Sea, FL
1992-assists on Congressional campaign has opportunity to welcome then Govenor William Jefferson Clinton and Senator Albert Gore at event in Daytona Beach, FL and to spend time campaigning with Martin Luther King III
1993- graduates from Fort Collins High School, baptized and received into Catholic Church, St. Brendan's Roman Catholic Church in Ormond Beach, FL
1994- begins studies at the University of Florida
1997- completes Bachelor of Arts from University of Florida, begins Master of Arts program at University of Scranton
1998- publishes article in Diakonia Journal of Eastern Christian Studies
1999- receives Master of Arts in Theology from the University of Scranton and begins Doctoral studies in Community Counseling at Argosy University of Sarasota. Volunteers for trauma center
2000- begns work at psychotherapist initially working with children and adolescents. Begins a weekly radio program
2003- becomes Certified in Traumatic Stress, meets mentor Dr. Clancy D. McKenzie
2005- presents in Flusihing, NY at International Center for the Study of Psychiatry and Psychology conference, becomes Clinical Director for a therapeutic equestrian program.
2006- earns Doctorate of Education in Community Counseling, serves until 2017 as a psychological evlauator (under supervision)
2007- presents at Alternative Education conference at Russell Sage College, takes refuge vows at Kadampa Meditation Center New York
2008 to 2011- develops therapeutic community project for those in extreme states of mind
2010- publishes Meeting of Two Persons and begins speaking on various radio and television programs, presents at International Center for Ethical Psychology conference in Syracuse, NY, meets with mentor Dr. Clancy D. McKenzie at conference. Begins as faculty member for EAU.
2011- lecture tour for Meeting of Persons speaking in Philadelphia and New York city, presents at Occupy Wall Street and Occupy Scranton, meets Dr. John Nash at the University of Scranton.
2012- lectures in Ireland
2013- presents on autism at Society for Humanistic Psychology conference at Pacifica Graduate Institute, Carpinteria, CA, publishes Cosmic Dance, Metanoia, and Sacred Madness and Voices in the Wilderness. Begins writing blog for Psychology Today and Mad in America
2016- visits Montego Bay, Jamaica. Montego Bay Autism Center makes use of materials from Dr. Edmunds
2018- publishes Sutra on Despair and Overcoming and Absurdity and the Courage to Be, presents at National Association for Social Workers PA conference, begins visiting Vraj Hindu Mandir
2019- presents at National Association for Social Workers Conference PA, quote "Meaning is not found but created" placed on Tampa Riverwalk, birthplace of Dr. Edmunds
2020- presents for Mind Zone India online conference, begins work as High Risk Behavioral Health Counselor
2021- visits and attends course at Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, presents on Mental Health News Radio
2022- publishes BHAKTI and Voices Within, scheduled for presentations to National Association of Social Workers conference and American Ethical Union, becomes member of Columcille Inc and the Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia. Begins service as consultant to Koshish Nepal- Mental Health Advocacy Organization. Begins affiliation witn an Interfaith Seminary.