she/her
Student Affairs and Success
RISE Psychotherapist, LCSW
Staff
CAPS
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.
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.
