What are the opening hours?

Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 11am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 6pm

Valerie McDonnell, LCSW, 2567 Homeview Drive, Richmond, VA (2025)

11/03/2025

Full force into podcast production for the RISE to Intimacy podcast!

My podcast will be launching in the new year and I’ll be discussing things like how to communicate in a way that ends in resolution vs resentment, how to tackle the differences in your desire level with your partner, and focusing a lot on the magical skill of emotional regulation when helping you create a fulfilling emotional and physical relationship, amongst many other topics related to trauma-informed s*x therapy.

I can’t wait to share this new journey with you so please stay tuned for more details as the new year approaches.

Thanks so much for your support!

03/25/2025

Ever wonder why you react the way you do in relationships? 🤔 Whether it’s feeling insecure, pulling away, or seeking constant reassurance, your attachment style plays a major role in how you connect with your partner. 💞

Our earliest relationships—often with our caregivers—shape how we experience love, security, and intimacy. These patterns follow us into adulthood, influencing the way we communicate, handle conflict, and express emotional needs.

The good news? 🌟 Your attachment style isn’t set in stone. With awareness, emotional regulation, and the right tools, you can break unhealthy cycles and build a more secure, fulfilling relationship.

💬 Drop a ❤️ if you’re ready to transform your love life by understanding your attachment style! And check out my latest blog to dive deeper into this fascinating topic. 🔗

03/17/2025

I’m thrilled to announce our new name, RISE Relationship Therapy & Training Services! 🎉

At RISE, we help you:
- Reconnect
- Improve
- Strengthen and
- Enrich your relationships

RISE works with individuals and couples and offers trauma- informed therapy as well as s*x therapy and coaching services. 👩‍❤️‍👨

For professionals and organizations, we offer trainings on topics such as:
- Creating a trauma-informed workplace
- How trauma impacts romantic relationships
- How to work with non-monogamous clients
- How to incorporate s*x therapy in couples counseling

At RISE, we pride ourselves on helping you build deeper connections, create fulfilling intimate relationships, and develop lasting pleasure for a lifetime! ❤️

Please check out our extensive list of free resources at www.risetointimacy.com or book a complimentary consultation with us today! 📅

Just head over to the link in our bio. We can’t wait to meet you! 🙏🏼

❤️

02/18/2025

Are you wondering why you keep having the same, repetitive arguments with your partner, only to wind up no closer to resolution?

Do you find yourself feeling discouraged, lonely, and questioning if maybe it’s a sign of incompatibility?

If so, read our latest article to discover the main reason you’re still struggling with effective communication.

We provide 3 easy steps you can take today to start fixing your communication breakdowns and learn how to reconnect while preventing resentments along the way!

02/10/2025

Did you know that most women don’t or**sm from pe*******on alone?

In fact, most women require cl****al stimulation to fully achieve pleasure during s*x.

Lacking this knowledge or feeling confused or anxious about it can cause avoidance, which leads to the or**sm gap.

Dr. Laurie Mintz is a Psychology Professor and Human Sexuality Expert who has studied the or**sm gap extensively.

In her book, “Becoming Cliterate,” research shows that “55 percent of men versus 4 percent of women said they usually reach or**sm during first-time hook up s*x.”

And, “64 percent of women versus 91 percent of men said they’d had an or**sm during their most recent s*xual encounter.”

If you want to learn some easy ways to start communicating about the or**sm gap and increase your pleasure, read our latest article by clicking the link in our bio.

And, let us know if you play our version of truth or dare this Valentine’s Day!

**sm **smgap

02/08/2025

Why does “pleasure equality” matter?

Most women weren’t raised believing that we deserve pleasure during intimacy.

Instead, the focus is directed towards pregnancy and STI prevention and ensuring our partner has a good time.

Because of this, we may grow up not knowing what really sparks our desire or knowing how to advocate for our pleasure during intimacy.

Or, we may be LGBTQIA and never learned about pleasure and intimacy in the context of how we love and participate in relationships.

Add to that the current toxic discourse around gender identities, and we may be too afraid or otherwise inundated with messages that cause confusion, shame, anger, frustration, etc.

It makes sense if pleasure has taken a back seat to our other concerns.

But ALL of us deserve to experience healthy relationships where we can discuss our desires, have our needs met, and be respected for who we are and who we choose to be in a relationship with.

So this year, make a priority!

Do you agree? Let us know in the comments.

02/08/2025

Why does “pleasure equality” matter?

Most women weren’t raised believing that we deserve pleasure during intimacy.

Instead, the focus is directed towards pregnancy and STI prevention and ensuring our partner has a good time.

Because of this, we may grow up not knowing what really sparks our desire or knowing how to advocate for our pleasure during intimacy.

Or, we may be LGBTQIA and never learned about pleasure and intimacy in the context of how we love and participate in relationships.

Add to that the current toxic discourse around gender identities, and we may be too afraid or otherwise inundated with messages that cause confusion, shame, anger, frustration, etc.

It makes sense if pleasure has taken a back seat to our other concerns.

But ALL of us deserve to experience healthy relationships where we can discuss our desires, have our needs met, and be respected for who we are and who we choose to be in a relationship with.

So this year, make a priority!

Do you agree? Let us know in the comments.

02/06/2025

What is aftercare and why is it important? 🧐

Aftercare is the act of providing care and attention to your partner after physical intimacy. 🥰

Including aftercare increases connection, enhances feelings of security, and helps to regulate your nervous system. ❣️

Save these tips (and share them with your partner) for ways to practice aftercare and amplify your love and connection! 😍

Be sure to follow for more helpful relationship advice. 💗

And, click the link in our bio to head over to our website and book a 30 minute complimentary consultation with us today! 🫵

02/05/2025

Give the gift of long-lasting this by investing in one of our curated programs for individuals and couples.

RISE offers 3 and 6 month programs for those looking to heal from trauma, overcome attachment wounds, and reignite passionate intimacy in their relationships.

We’re experts in trauma and healthy relationships and absolutely love working with clients looking to live their most fulfilling and rewarding relationships of a lifetime.

Head over to our website now by clicking the link in our bio to schedule your 30 minute complimentary consultation with us today!

02/04/2025

This try something new with your partner that will significantly increase your while also reigniting . ❤️‍🔥

Our latest article takes a deep dive into Sensate Focus, a technique developed in the 1960’s by a gynecologist and his colleague to help men with psychological ED. 👨‍⚕️

Fast forward to 2025, and we now know that this technique is effective when working with couples and individuals of all genders and relationship dynamics. 😁

If you want to learn more about how you can incorporate Sensate Focus into your romantic partnership, then click the link in our bio to read our latest article! 📝

# ❤️

02/04/2025

Every week I help clients tackle challenges with desire for intimacy, process trauma and make sense of attachment wounds, address performance anxiety, and learn effective ways to communicate during conflict.

An intimacy therapist isn’t the “a la carte” item on the menu. We also have training in helping you with anxiety, depression, work and relationship stress, and managing the effects of trauma and abuse.

If you’re ready to have meaningful and fulfilling relationships full of passionate intimacy, contact RISE today by heading to our website to see how we can best help you with meeting your relationship goals! 🥰

Valerie McDonnell, LCSW

11/03/2025

03/25/2025

03/17/2025

02/18/2025

02/10/2025

02/08/2025

02/08/2025

02/06/2025

02/05/2025

02/04/2025

02/04/2025

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