A New Zealander with European and Ngati Hikairo ancestry, David was educated at the University of Canterbury completing a Bachelors Degree in Science in 1972 and a Post Graduate Degree in Business Administration at Otago University in 1973. He further complimented this education in the United States at the State University of Minnesota in 1983 by completing a graduate degree in Counselling Psychology alongside a career in Ericksonian and strategic family therapy. This work focused on the development of linguistically based techniques that enable therapists to access information contained in primary process language forms, and the facilitation of experiential change in non cognitive learning. He then developed work and competency based training for Mental Health Professionals, Counsellors and Therapists which is extensively known throughout both the United Kingdom and United States and furthermore was approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) for continuing education for Psychologists.
Until his untimely death in 2008
David innovated numerous therapeutic methods and he conducted training
seminars in the USA, UK, France and in his country of origin New Zealand. In 1989 he co-authored with B.I.
Panzer, Resolving Traumatic Memories: Metaphors and Symbols in Psychotherapy. He was the originator Clean Language, Clean Space, Emergent Knowledge and a host of other processes.All information on this web site (unless otherwise stated) is Copyright © 1997- Penny Tompkins and James Lawley of The Developing Company. All rights reserved. You may reproduce and disseminate any of our copyrighted information for personal use only providing the original source is clearly identified. If you wish to use the material for any other reason please contact: