During this time, he earned his certification as a Master NLP Practitioner, and became a trainer and professional speaker in association with the Tom Peters Group and other companies.

In 1994 he co-authored the international bestselling book, Dealing With People You Can't Stand: How to Bring Out the Best in People at Their Worst, published by McGraw-Hill. It has been translated into 17 languages and was updated and re-released in 2002. In 1998 he co-authored the McGraw-Hill book, Life by Design, Bringing Out the Best in Yourself, which is available in three languages. In 2002 McGraw-Hill released his third book, Dealing With Relatives: Bringing Out the Best in Family at Their Worst (Brinkman & Kirschner). In addition he is the author of four audio and two video training programs on customer service, communication and life management.

Dr. Brinkman has received numerous awards including Funniest Speaker of the Year by the Sales Forum and the Institute for Management Studies Distinguished Faculty award. His audio tape "Dealing with Difficult People" is on Columbia House's all time top ten best seller list. In 1988 he was one of only 15 people selected by the Tom Peters Group to present the In Search of Excellence and Thriving on Chaos programs. He is a regularly featured speaker for Young President's Organization, and many associations and corporations

Dr. Rick Brinkman is best known for his Conscious Communication expertise conveyed to millions of people via keynotes and trainings, radio, television, print interviews, and numerous award-winning books, videos and audio programs. Dr. Brinkman has been touring nationally and internationally since 1980 sharing his human behavior insights and practical communication strategies in his trademark entertaining and educational style.

After graduating with a Bachelors of Science degree from State University of New York at Oneonta, he earned his Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from National College of Naturopathic Medicine, Portland, OR. Following his residency in obstetrics and psychology, he opened a practice specializing in mind / body medicine. His success with his patients led him to further study communication and how it can profoundly affect one's quality of life.