Dr. Mark D. Goodson was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the youngest of seven children. He has been married to the love of his life, Vanessa, since 1984. Together, they have raised two daughters and are blessed with three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. His commitment to family, faith, and service has remained central to his life and professional journey.

Driven by a desire to receive a Christian education, Dr. Goodson attended Eastern University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership. He later received a Master of Arts in Human Services from Liberty University before returning to Eastern University, where he earned a Doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Throughout his life, Dr. Goodson has dedicated himself to serving others across multiple professions and communities. In April 2022, he retired following a distinguished 32-year career in law enforcement. In addition to patrolling and serving the communities of Philadelphia, he was assigned to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), where he provided counseling and support to law enforcement officers and their families as they navigated the unique personal, professional, and emotional challenges associated with police service.

Dr. Goodson also served six years in the United States Army Reserve and has devoted 20 years to pastoral ministry. His combined experience in law enforcement, military service, counseling, and ministry has provided him with a broad understanding of the challenges individuals and families face throughout life's different seasons.

As a psychotherapist, Dr. Goodson has worked with individuals, couples, families, first responders, military personnel, and clergy. He facilitates workshops for married couples and singles and conducts seminars addressing pastoral burnout prevention and suicide awareness. His approach emphasizes compassion, understanding, and the importance of supporting the emotional, relational, mental, and spiritual well-being of those he serves.

In addition to his counseling and ministry work, Dr. Goodson is a Trauma-Informed Educator who provides professional development and trauma-informed training for schools, educators, and churches. His training helps educators understand how trauma can affect students' behavior, emotional regulation, relationships, and ability to learn. Through practical strategies and increased awareness, he equips educators to create more supportive, responsive, and trauma-informed environments in today's classrooms.

Dr. Goodson is also the author of the children's book ARE WE SAFE with THEM?, available on Amazon. The book helps parents and other trusted adults initiate meaningful, age-appropriate conversations with children about encounters with law enforcement, commonly known as “The Talk.” Through this work, he encourages open communication, preparation, and understanding between children and the adults who care for them.

At the heart of Dr. Goodson's life and work is a simple but powerful motto: “Serving is a Privilege.” Whether serving his country, his city, his family, his congregation, or the individuals and families he encounters through counseling, he considers it an honor to help others navigate life's challenges and move toward healing, growth, and transformation.

Dr. Goodson looks forward to serving you through Transformed By Grace, where he is committed to providing compassionate, faith-based counseling and support to individuals seeking guidance, healing, and meaningful change. He believes that everyone deserves to be heard, understood, and treated with dignity as they pursue a healthier and more fulfilling life.