Bill R. Edmonds

LCSW (Associate Clinical Social Worker), LTC (Ret), M.S.W., M.A., M.S.

My work is grounded in this truth: healing begins not with resistance, but with presence. Every wound—personal or collective—carries within it the seed of transformation.

Education

Master of Social Work (MSW)
University of Southern California, 2024
- Thesis: A Compassionate Nudge: Proposing the Ancient Buddhist Psychology and Practice of Dependent Origination as a Therapeutic Modality for War-related Moral Injuries

M.A. in Defense Studies
King’s College of London, 2019

M.S. in Defense Analysis
Naval Postgraduate School, 2008
- Thesis: The CounterMetrics System

B.A. in Political Science
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, 1995

Certifications & Training

Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification — UC Berkeley Greater Good Science Center (2023)
Integrative Restoration (iRest) Teacher Certification — iRest Foundation (2022)
Ordained Minister — Universal Life Church (2021)

Professional Experience

Private Practice, 2021–Present
Trauma-Informed Meditation Therapist & Integration Guide

Provide individual and group sessions rooted in mindfulness and contemplative practices.
Facilitate day-long retreats supporting veterans, first responders, and those seeking renewal.

San Luis Obispo County Hospice, 2021–2023
Meditation Therapist

Offered meditation and contemplative presence to terminally ill patients, their families, and caregivers.

Legacy Wellness Centers, 2021–2023
Director of Wellness Programs

Designed and led wellness programs at an inpatient treatment center serving veterans and active-duty military.

U.S. Army Special Operations Command & Federal Agencies, 1993–2021
Special Forces Officer / Special Operations Officer

34 years of leadership across 16 combat deployments.
Served as Chief of Current Operations (AFRICOM) and Director of Global Power Competition.
Worked in partnership with the CIA, DOJ, and other agencies on counterterrorism and intelligence missions.

Publications

Books

God Is Not Here: Torture, Trauma, and the Moral Injuries of War (Pegasus Books, 2015)
Contributor, War and Moral Injury: A Reader (Cascade Books, 2018)

Academic & Essays

A Compassionate Nudge (Master’s Thesis, King’s College London, 2019)
“After Moral Injury: Backing Through a Side Door into Consciousness” (War on the Rocks, 2019)
“The Ugly American in Iraq” (The Nation, 2007, originally titled A Soldier’s Story)

Anthology Contributions

God Is Not Here excerpted in War and Moral Injury: A Reader (2018)
“Backing Through a Side Door into Consciousness” included in collections on moral injury and veteran healing

Media

Featured author in War on the Rocks, The Nation, and multiple online platforms exploring trauma, moral injury, and war
Quoted and referenced in national and international discussions on moral injury and veteran healing
Work cited in academic and policy discussions on post-combat trauma

Awards & Honors

Purple Heart
Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device
National Intelligence Award (2015)
Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2)
Meritorious Service Medal (2)

Presentations & Teaching

Guest lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania, Penn State University, and University of Charleston
Invited speaker at conferences on moral injury, trauma healing, and contemplative practice
Workshop facilitator on mindfulness, iRest yoga nidra, and contemplative integration practices
Regularly teach veterans, first responders, and community groups on trauma, resilience, and the path of transformation

Areas of Focus

Trauma-informed contemplative practice
Healing moral injury and post-combat trauma
Mindfulness and iRest yoga nidra
Transformation through presence and compassionate awareness

Philosophy

What we can hold, we process
What we can process, we transform
What we can transform, no longer haunts us

Mindfulness Talks & Meditations

Yoga Nidra - iRest Meditations

Book, Music & App Recommendations

Bill's Published Works & Media

Terms & Conditions