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Rising Stars: Meet Edda Colon of South-central Florida

Today we’d like to introduce you to Edda Colon.

Hi Edda, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My name is Edda Liz Colón. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, where I earned a Bachelor's
degree in Criminal Justice. From a young age, I felt a deep calling to serve others, whether
through law or mental health. That passion led me to begin my professional journey as a police
officer in Puerto Rico—a role I held for over a decade. It was an intense and often demanding
career, but it allowed me to fulfill my purpose of helping others and advocating for justice.
Eventually, I reached a point where I felt called to do more. I made the difficult decision to leave
my home and start over in Florida with my husband. That transition brought many challenges,
especially as I faced the reality of reinventing myself professionally in a new place and culture. I
had to confront doubts—both from others and within myself—about starting over after building
a stable career. But deep down, I knew it was the right step.
Along the way, I’ve learned that growth often requires discomfort. I began working in the mental
health field as an advocate for sexual assault survivors, then as a case manager for children at
risk and older adults. These roles opened my eyes to the vast need for mental health resources
and compassionate, trained professionals. That’s what inspired me to pursue a Master’s degree in
Social Work with a clinical specialization.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Looking back, my journey has not been smooth—but it has been meaningful. I’ve faced
obstacles since childhood, including being diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia, which made
learning incredibly difficult. But those experiences taught me resilience, patience, and the power
of perseverance. With the right support systems and faith, I was able to overcome them and now
use those lessons to empower others.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Today, I’m a mental health therapist working in private practice. I specialize in helping
individuals navigate trauma, anxiety, depression, and life transitions. My work is deeply rooted
in empathy, cultural awareness, and breaking the stigma surrounding mental health, especially in
communities where these conversations are still taboo. My long-term goal is to open my own
private practice, where I can continue creating a safe, supportive space for people to heal and
grow

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
For me, happiness comes from living with purpose. I feel the most fulfilled when I know my
work is making a difference in someone’s life. Helping people heal, find clarity, and recognize
their own strength brings me immense joy. I also find happiness in simple moments—time with
family, my faith, learning something new, and seeing my clients thrive. Every step of my
journey, even the difficult ones, has helped shape the woman I am today. And for that, I am
deeply grateful.

Contact Info:

  • Other: eddalizcolon@gmail.com

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