Christine Colburn: Healing Through Purpose and Humanity

In a world where resilience is often measured by success, Christine Colburn redefines it through compassion, authenticity, and the courage to turn pain into purpose. As the Founder and Owner of Beacon of Hope Counseling Services, LLC, Christine is a Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and motivational speaker. Her journey from personal tragedy to professional triumph embodies the true spirit of transformation. Through her work with children, families, and communities, she has become a voice of healing—helping others rediscover their strength, rewrite their stories, and reclaim their light.

Christine’s story is not just one of survival, but of service. From her early work with the Gila River Indian Community to building Beacon of Hope, she has cultivated a legacy rooted in empathy, advocacy, and deep human connection. In this candid conversation, she opens up about her journey, her leadership values, and her vision for a more compassionate world.

Q: Let’s start with your journey—how did you find your way to becoming a trauma therapist and motivational speaker?

My journey was anything but straightforward. It was shaped by heartbreak, loss, and a deep desire to find meaning in pain. My mother died by suicide just a week before my sister and I shared our 13th and 16th birthdays. Nearly twenty years later, my sister followed that same path. Those experiences changed everything for me.

For a long time, I didn’t know what to call the heaviness I carried. But over time, I stopped running from my pain and began to listen to it. I realized that I could either let my story define me or use it to help others heal. I chose purpose. At 29, as a divorced mother of two young boys, I began college, completed a fast-track degree, and went on to graduate school in Mental Health Counseling. My goal was to become the kind of safe presence I needed as a child—someone who could listen without judgment and believe in the possibility of healing.

Today, as a therapist and speaker, I use my voice to remind others that trauma does not define them. Healing is possible. Light can be found, even in the darkest places.

Q: What inspired you to specialize in trauma therapy, particularly with children?

My passion for this work comes from a deeply personal experience. I know what it feels like to carry emotions that are too big to hold and to feel invisible in your pain. That’s why I was drawn to helping children who often don’t have the words to express what they’re going through.

In therapy, I meet children where they are—through play, art, and movement. These creative spaces allow them to tell their stories without words and to reclaim the sense of safety that trauma often takes away. I believe that when we help children heal early, we don’t just change their present—we change their future.

Q: You’ve mentioned working with the Gila River Indian Community as a formative experience. What did that time teach you about trauma and healing?

That experience changed my entire understanding of what healing truly means. I saw how trauma could be both personal and collective, passed through generations. Many children carried pain rooted in history—systemic oppression, cultural loss, and intergenerational grief. But within that pain, I also saw incredible strength, community, and spiritual resilience.

It taught me that therapy must always honor culture, tradition, and identity. Healing isn’t something we do for someone—it’s something we do with them. The Gila River community reminded me that storytelling itself is medicine. Stories hold wisdom, identity, and hope. That lesson has shaped every part of how I practice today.

Q: Working with children who have experienced trauma must be both rewarding and challenging. How do you approach that balance?

It’s one of the most sacred parts of my work. Children often don’t have the language to describe their pain, so I use creative approaches that feel safe and natural to them—play, art, or sand tray therapy. Sometimes healing begins with a simple drawing or the way a child positions a figure in sand.

The biggest challenge is building trust, especially for children who’ve been hurt by the very people meant to protect them. My approach is always rooted in patience, presence, and unconditional positive regard. I show up consistently, so they know this space is truly theirs. Healing happens when they realize they have control, safety, and choice.

Q: You emphasize treating every client as unique. How does that shape your approach to therapy?

Every person carries their own story, so therapy should never look the same for everyone. From the first session, I focus on understanding who my client is, not just what they’re struggling with. Healing may start through art, conversation, or even quiet moments of shared stillness.

I adapt my approach to fit each individual—whether that means using evidence-based methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or more expressive, relational techniques. My role is to co-create a space that honors their pace and their truth. Healing doesn’t happen when someone fits into a box. It happens when they feel free to be who they are.

Q: Along the way, what has kept you moving forward through difficult times?

The belief that purpose can be found even in pain. Every challenge has reminded me that resilience isn’t built in ease; it’s built in endurance. My values—compassion, authenticity, and integrity—have guided me every step of the way. I lead with heart, showing up not as a title, but as a person who believes deeply in the strength of others.

Q: You lead Beacon of Hope with a focus on collaboration and innovation. How do you foster that culture?

Innovation begins with safety. When people feel seen and heard, creativity flourishes. At Beacon of Hope, every voice matters—regardless of title or position. We encourage open dialogue, shared ideas, and a spirit of trust. Growth happens when people know they can take risks, make mistakes, and still be supported.

Collaboration, to me, is about shared purpose. We’re not just a team—we’re a community driven by the belief that empathy and excellence can coexist beautifully.

Q: What advice would you offer to emerging leaders who want to create lasting impact?

Lead with heart. Focus on service over status. Stay authentic and humble, and never underestimate the power of kindness. Success isn’t about titles—it’s about how you make others feel.

Seek mentors, ask questions, and welcome feedback. Growth happens when you’re willing to be uncomfortable. The most impactful leaders create spaces where others feel empowered to shine.

Q: As you look to the future, what excites you most about your work and the field of mental health?

I’m excited about expanding Beacon of Hope’s reach and continuing to build spaces where healing and human connection come first. I want to help shift the conversation from mental health to brain health—to reduce stigma and make seeking help feel normal and empowering.

More broadly, I’m inspired by the growing recognition that empathy and authenticity are powerful leadership traits. The future of mental health lies in compassion and connection, and I’m grateful to be part of that movement.

Closing Thoughts

Christine Colburn has built her life’s work on the belief that healing begins with understanding and grows through love. Her journey—from personal loss to leadership—reflects the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of purpose. Through every client she supports and every story she helps rewrite, she continues to remind the world of a simple but profound truth: we are not defined by what breaks us, but by how we choose to rise.