Dedicated to helping people meet their challenges in a safe and non-judgmental environment. Judy Zexter brings over 20 years of clinical experience to her Santa Monica based private psychotherapy and counseling practice. She has helped countless individuals, couples and families to gain insight into their personal dynamics and overcome the obstacles to satisfying relationships and productive lives.
Judy provides feedback in a collaborative dialogue that promotes deeper self understanding, self confidence and self influence. With a focus on intentional living, Judy helps her clients face their challenges through an empowering process that identifies and supports their true desires and values.
Judy provides feedback in a collaborative dialogue that promotes deeper self understanding, self confidence and self influence. With a focus on intentional living, Judy helps her clients face their challenges through an empowering process that identifies and supports their true desires and values.
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BACKGROUND: Throughout her twenty plus years of practice, Judy has worked with a diverse population of women and men who have faced a variety of personal challenges.
She has extensive experience and training in psychodynamic psychotherapy, interpersonal neurobiology, mindfulness based cognitive therapy, reflective parenting and family systems therapy which have provided her a solid foundation in her work with adolescents, adults, couples, parents and families.
She has extensive experience and training in psychodynamic psychotherapy, interpersonal neurobiology, mindfulness based cognitive therapy, reflective parenting and family systems therapy which have provided her a solid foundation in her work with adolescents, adults, couples, parents and families.
Judy works with women and men from late adolescent age through adulthood, who are experiencing challenges related to their relationships, emotional states and self image. She works within short-term and long-term frameworks depending on the situational and emotional needs of her clients. Judy helps couples to identify patterns of thinking and behavior that may be creating obstacles to open communication and overall satisfaction.
Judy utilizes an eclectic approach to psychotherapy that individualizes treatment according to the uniqueness of each client and his or her specific needs. Judy believes in the integrity of each person and his/her family, and therefore uses a personalized approach that is tailored to best meet the specific needs of each client.
Let's face it. We all have the tendency to blame, especially when we are feeling defensive in the presence of disappointment, pain or vulnerability. Blaming is a common reaction, because when we want to. I have met with many clients over the years that have struggled with discomfort around speaking up for themselves.
Reviews (11)
Brady S.
Mar 26, 2019
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Judy is an excellent therapist and consummate professional. She is able to look at both the big picture of my life situation and history while helping to make daily life more manageable with practical and workable tools, such as mindfulness practice. She is a great listener and most importantly very compassionate and caring in her approach to difficulties while not pathologizing as so many therapists do. She sees the whole person and doesn't see me as my problems, but rather looks at how we can build my strengths. I feel respected by her and trust her judgment and years of expertise. She
April M.
Feb 18, 2019
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Judy Zexter has an ease about her that makes one feel totally safe and heard. Her ability to listen in a nonjudgmental way and then reflect back to you thoughtful yet important insights you might have been overlooking about yourself is uncanny.
I recently had an experience with her where I had an AHA moment that is leading me to make positive changes in myself.
I recently had an experience with her where I had an AHA moment that is leading me to make positive changes in myself.
Stephen K.
Dec 24, 2018
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A fantastic therapist if you need assistance with life's challenges. Smart, insightful, non-judgemental. Has helped me through some trying times and has taught me how to cope when things get tough.
UPDATE
Taking stock at the end of the year, I really want to give a shout out to my therapist. I've come a long, long way and I know I put in the work, but it was through her guidance that I was able to change how I think about myself and how I deal with other people. Intentions, intentions, intentions. Whenever I seem to be be getting in over my head, she will help me understand
UPDATE
Taking stock at the end of the year, I really want to give a shout out to my therapist. I've come a long, long way and I know I put in the work, but it was through her guidance that I was able to change how I think about myself and how I deal with other people. Intentions, intentions, intentions. Whenever I seem to be be getting in over my head, she will help me understand
Constance Y.
Nov 27, 2018
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Dangerous therapist. In couples therapy, requested to see me alone after 3 sessions (no reasons like physical abuse, etc) which is _not_ good practice and after which I said I would not be returning because I knew that's not what couples therapists should do. Also during our couples sessions she generalized with quips like, "oh I always see the girlfriend in relationships saying that, but it's not a real problem" to my concerns. Continued to see my partner (also _not_ good practice) who became so depressed and started talking about killing himself after several months under
Fredrik E.
May 30, 2016
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Karen K.
Feb 28, 2016
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Jessica S.
Feb 21, 2016
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Judy Zexter is an incredible social worker and psychotherapist. She has been practicing successfully for years and continues to be open and learn how to support,serve and empower her clients. Her psychotherapeutic approach includes Cbt as well as mindfulness based techniques. She clearly works with where the client is at and, both, works actively and supportively with her clients. I would never hesitate to recommend clients to her. I have worked personally with her, as well.
R. K.
Feb 17, 2016
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Red flag 1) Second session she immediately and out of the blue blamed my parents (i know what the real reason is, and my parents are wonderful) as culprits for an area of concern I had instead of listening to me and guiding me to real insight. If I didnt have such a good relationship with my parents and/ or if I didnt already know what the real culprit was, I imagine this would have put a huge, unnecessary strain on my relationship with my parents. Red flag 2) Said "the dishes are just the dishes" before going on to tell me that it's not a big deal and she hears girlfriends complain
Jessica Shapley
Nov 25, 2015
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I have known Judy Zexter for over 20 years. As a supervisor and clinician, Judy's perspective, presence and support has been inspiring, encouraging and empowering. Judy works successfully with a wide range of clients, providing individual and couples counseling. She has incredible assessment skills and is able to work from where the clients is at. I will continue to refer clients to her and receive supervision from her.
Yasmin C.
Feb 09, 2012
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Elizabeth H.
Jul 15, 2009
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