Trafford R. Cole, originally born in Germany to an American military family, has lived in various locations across the U.S. and Italy. He earned a Doctorate in Psychology from the University of Padua and built a successful career as a counselor, specializing in childhood trauma and sexual abuse. Trafford also taught psychology for the University of Maryland on U.S. military bases in Italy for 25 years.

Along with his work in psychology, Trafford became interested in Italian genealogy and published a book on Italian records in 1995. His passion for personal growth led him to write books on relationships and achieving success. In retirement, he focuses on writing books about happiness, including Happiness Begins Today, You Deserve to Be Happy, and his latest work, Flourishing: Transforming Your Life from Stagnation to Joy. His work aims to help people find happiness and fulfillment in life.