Meet Our Staff
Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) at UC Santa Cruz is a part-centralized, part-decentralized service, with professionally trained master's- and doctoral-level clinicians located in our central counseling office within the Cowell Student Health Center complex, as well as in various locations across campus. Our staff members come from diverse backgrounds and have a special interest in and experience with helping students explore a wide range of issues. We offer a variety of mental health and wellness services to UCSC students and the broader UCSC community.
Please note that while some of us have particular areas of specialization, all of us at CAPS recognize the social pressures and cultural factors that affect different groups in unique ways. We have been trained in aspects of multicultural counseling, including working with LGBTQIA+ students, addressing rape and sexual abuse, and supporting students with disabilities. CAPS staff also engage in ongoing mandatory and voluntary continuing education to further enhance their skills as mental health professionals.
The following is a list of our staff members and their locations. Note that we do not provide drop-in counseling, so if you are interested in finding out about and/or starting services with CAPS, please stop by our central office or call us during business hours at (831) 459-2628. You can also find more information about our services on our Counseling Services, Psychiatry, and Groups & Workshops web pages.
- Pronouns she/her
- Title
- RISE Psychotherapist, LCSW
- Division Student Affairs and Success
- Department
- Student Health Center
- Mail Stop CAPS
Summary of Expertise
Rebecca specializes in addiction treatment, trauma therapy, and helping individuals develop mindfulness and self-compassion. Her therapeutic approach is client-centered, walking alongside individuals to reflect their strengths, navigate challenges, and foster personal growth and well-being. She is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an evidence-based approach for processing trauma and promoting emotional healing. Rebecca also incorporates principles of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), guiding clients in exploring dialectics—the practice of holding two seemingly opposing truths, such as “I am worthy of acceptance as I am, and I am capable of meaningful change.” She is passionate about creating a collaborative and supportive environment where clients feel empowered to navigate their challenges and embrace their strengths.
Biography, Education and Training
Rebecca Zalona is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 14 years of experience in the behavioral health field. She began her career as an alcohol and drug counselor in Los Angeles, supporting individuals through addiction and recovery, before moving back home to Santa Cruz to earn her Master’s in Social Work from San Jose State University. Rebecca is a proud alum of UC Santa Cruz, affiliated with Porter College, where she studied Film and Digital Media as an undergraduate. She emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic relationship, believing that the student is the expert of their own experience and that success in therapy begins with a strong student-therapist connection.
