Mission
Our world doesn't need more fake-happy people. What it needs more of is people who are genuinely at ease in their own minds, their relationships, and their lives.
The Happiness Doctor exists to support that kind of happiness, which grows from the inside out.
Through tools, teachings, and spaces that invite reflection, self-compassion, and growth, The Happiness Doctor helps people show up more fully – for themselves, their relationships, their work, and their lives.
Founded by Dr. Sophia Godkin, this work is rooted in the belief that healing and happiness are not separate and not just personal; they ripple outward. By tending to our own inner worlds, we help create a kinder, more compassionate world for everyone.
Meet the Human Behind the Work
I’m Dr. Sophia Godkin, and I wear a few hats – Psychologist, Coach, Author, Facilitator, and Speaker. But before any of those roles, I’m a person who cares deeply about honest connection, about healing what hurts, and about helping people live a life that feels good on the inside.
My work is about helping people feel better from the inside out.
We’re not born knowing how to navigate our thoughts, emotions, relationships, or the hard stuff. But we can learn.
Real happiness isn’t about luck or pretending everything’s fine. It’s a practice. One that begins with self-understanding, honest reflection, and learning how to meet yourself with care, and that grows through skills like boundaries, regulation, and inner connection.
And, real happiness isn’t just about growing the good stuff. It’s also about tending to the hard stuff. The grief… the fear… the parts of you that feel messy. Real happiness makes room for all of it.
That’s the kind of happiness I care about and the kind I help people find.
Bio
Sophia Godkin, PhD is a psychologist, happiness & relationship coach, and best-selling author. Known for helping people build happiness that feels real and sustainable, Dr Sophia shares practical tools for emotional well-being through in-person and online coaching, courses, and writing. Her first book, The 5-Minute Gratitude Journal: Give Thanks, Practice Positivity, Find Joy, was released in 2020 and has received over 5,000 five-star reviews.
As a sought-after coach, former university professor, and former head of learning at national and international wellness companies, Dr Sophia has spent many years teaching the principles and practices of emotional health and well-being to people of all ages and backgrounds. While she often delivers talks at universities and professional events, she especially loves creating spaces that feel like honest, heartfelt conversations — where people leave feeling more connected to themselves and one another.
Whether in the form of one-on-one work, writing, or group education, Dr. Sophia is known for blending psychological insight with warmth, lightness, and practical tools that create meaningful, lasting change.
Here are a few of the roles I hold and how I hold them:
Psychologist
(with a deep love for honest conversations and a good cup of tea)
Happiness & Relationship Coach
(who believes real joy lives in the real and messy, not just the perfect)
Author
(of bestselling journals – and frequent handwritten notes and quotes to herself)
Speaker
(who blends science, lived experience, and soul-deep wisdom you can feel, and shares it with a whole lot of heart)
Group Facilitator
(and longtime believer in the healing power of connection and community)
Practicer of What I Teach (Most Days 😊)
(hey, I’m human too)
A few things that make me, me
I’m a deep thinker and feeler. I live for thoughtful conversations, quiet moments with a cup of tea in my hand, and laughing way too hard with people I love. I have a growing collection of houseplants (many thriving, some… trying), and a deep fondness for movement, dance, and the occasional rom-com.
I’ve been called grounded and wise, warm and bubbly, compassionate and real. If I had to choose one word though, I’d say the most accurate label is human. Full of feeling, still growing, still learning, and very much practicing what I teach.
Some days, that looks like guiding a room full of people toward deeper happiness. Other days, it looks like journaling through something messy in my pajamas, talking to a friend, or going on a walk with the sky, trees, and sun as my therapist.
I write a monthlyish newsletter called Happy from the Inside Out where I share the things that have been sparking joy, offering new lessons, and helping me find peace along the way. I believe that sharing these insights can help us all grow, heal, and feel truly happier, more connected, and alive. If you’d like to make your inbox and your heart a little happier, subscribe here.