Who We Are

Dr. Tom Essary has had years of experience dealing conflict, dispute resolution, negotiations, arbitrations, and solving problems. With twenty-seven years in law enforcement, Dr. Essary has seen and been involved in countless conflicts and solved even more disputes. Since 1990, Dr. Essary has been a licensed Realtor/Broker (retired) and successfully negotiated hundreds of contracts and resolved many buyer/seller disputes. Dr. Essary recently retired as Department Chairperson at a local career college where he helped solve problems such as unexpected homelessness, drug abuse, depression, pregnancy and a multitude of issues involving the students. Dr. Essary is associated with Aphesis House and teaches at the First Baptist Church Joelton.

Dr. Essary is a Rule 31 Family Mediator, Specially Trained in Domestic Violence and General Civil. No person shall act as a Rule 31 Mediator without first being listed by the Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission (ADRC). To be listed, Rule 31 Mediators must be approved by the ADRC and must comply with the qualification and training requirements set forth by the ADRC. All training must have been approved by the ADRC.

Dr. Essary has lived in the Middle Tennessee area since 1973. Attended Middle Tennessee State University receiving an Associates Arts Degree in Law Enforcement, Bachelors of Science Degree in Criminal Justice, and Bethel University receiving a Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution. Dr. Essary is a graduate of Colorado Theological Seminary having received a Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Christian Counseling. The National Christian Counseling Association awarded Dr. Essary an Advanced Certification in Integrated Marriage & Family, an Advanced Certification in Cognitive Treatment & Ethics, and the designation of Certified Temperament Counselor. He is also a Certified Clinical Member of the Sarasota Academy of Christian Counselors. He has been married to his wife Kathy for the last thirty-seven years and has one son.

Edited 08/21/2020