Valerie McDonnell, LCSW

Valerie McDonnell, LCSW Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Valerie McDonnell, LCSW, Therapist, 2567 Homeview Drive, Richmond, VA.

RISE Relationship Therapy & Training Services provides inclusive trauma-informed s*x therapy to individuals and couples as well as professional trainings virtually and in person.

Most couples who come to see me haven’t stopped caring. They’ve just fallen into logistics mode - managing kids, calenda...
03/31/2026

Most couples who come to see me haven’t stopped caring.

They’ve just fallen into logistics mode - managing kids, calendars, and finances while the emotional and physical connection quietly fades.

This week’s episode is a roadmap for getting it back.

Listen now and save this as a reminder. ❤️

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03/26/2026

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03/26/2026

In this week’s episode of The RISE to Intimacy podcast, I discuss why great long-term relationships still struggle with s*x.

I talk about how stress, exhaustion, pressure to perform, lack of feeling emotionally connected, and feeling uncomfortable with vulnerability can all contribute to a lack of s*xual desire.

I also discuss how lack of education around how “s*x should happen” often interferes with feeling comfortable enough to initiate s*x, which can cause avoidance of intimacy or feelings of rejection for one partner.

And then, I’ll also discuss how societal conditioning affects women’s ability to feel as though they have permission to express themselves s*xually, which often leads to confusion and frustration for both partners.

Finally, I offer some quick tips for how you and your partner can increase s*xual desire while also nurturing emotional intimacy.

🎙️ Episode 11 is available now on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite listening platform.

Give it a listen and if you enjoy this episode, please leave me a rating and review.

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My podcast launched on January 27th this year and while I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the process, it’s also scary putting you...
03/19/2026

My podcast launched on January 27th this year and while I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the process, it’s also scary putting yourself out there.

Today, I received this notification that it’s received 500 downloads and I’m beyond grateful to everyone who’s supported me and taken their time to listen and learn alongside me.

Special shoutout to my producer Stacey for all her help!

I couldn’t have done this without her support.

If you’d like to take a listen, The RISE to Intimacy podcast can be found on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite listening platform.

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Dating didn’t get hard because there are no good people left. It got harder because our relational environment changed f...
03/17/2026

Dating didn’t get hard because there are no good people left.

It got harder because our relational environment changed faster than our nervous systems could adapt, and AI is accelerating that gap.

In Episode 10 of The RISE to Intimacy Podcast, I break down how AI is quietly shaping who you see, who you don’t, and how attraction is being rewired without you even realizing it.

Plus - why the real dating crisis isn’t about feminism, the manosphere, or apps.

🎙️ Listen now on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform.

03/13/2026

Vi**ra might help increase your blood flow, but it doesn’t fix these 3 issues that can prevent an er****on or the ability to maintain one:

High stress and anxiety
Pressure to perform during s*x
Your nervous system stuck in fight or flight mode

If you want to learn if these issues could be impacting your er****ons, listen to Episode 9 of The RISE to Intimacy podcast today!

03/04/2026

Maybe it’s low libido, or maybe it’s your unmet attachment needs showing up when thinking about being intimate with your partner.

If you become too overwhelmed or anxious when initiating s*x with your partner or if you shut down and feel unable to be vulnerable during s*x, then check out Episode 8 of The RISE to Intimacy podcast where I discuss what attachment needs are and ways to prevent them from sabotaging your s*x life.

🎙️ Listen to the latest episode of The RISE to Intimacy podcast on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform.

02/25/2026

Episode 7 of the RISE to Intimacy podcast is now live! In this episode, I break down what’s happening underneath the surface of unresolved arguments, by discussing the pursue/withdraw cycle.

I also discuss 4 trauma-informed strategies I use with my clients to help couples break the pursue/withdraw loop:

❤️ Regulate before you relate because you can’t resolve an argument when you or your partner are living inside a dysregulated body.

❤️ Name the pattern, instead of blaming your partner.

❤️ Say what you’re protecting, not what you’re fighting about. Underneath the fight is usually fear.

❤️ Create a repair ritual. You can ask your partner, “What would help you feel a little closer to me right now?”

If you think you may be stuck in the pursue/withdraw cycle, then this episode is for you.

And if you’d like to get help with the unresolved disagreements in your relationship, then click the link in my bio and head over to my website where you can book a consultation with me.

02/22/2026

Quick reality check if you feel stuck in therapy:

1) You didn’t start when it was “small.”

Most people come in after years of disconnection—so of course it takes time to rebuild safety.

2) You’re doing therapy in session… but not in real life.

Awareness is the first step. Practice is what creates change.

3) You’re expecting quick relief from deep patterns.

The first sessions are often about understanding the “why” beneath the conflict—then we change the “how.”

Therapy is cumulative.

The small shifts you repeat become the relationship you live.

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If you’ve been trying to “fix” your s*x life with tips, scheduling s*x, or more effort… but you’re still walking on eggs...
02/18/2026

If you’ve been trying to “fix” your s*x life with tips, scheduling s*x, or more effort… but you’re still walking on eggshells, avoiding the real conversations, or pretending you’re fine, then this is your wake up call.

Because avoiding the hard conversations doesn’t protect the relationship.

It protects the pattern.

The truth you keep swallowing doesn’t disappear. It shows up as distance, resentment, and low desire.

So tonight, ask yourself this:

“What’s one thing you’ve been holding back… and what would make it feel safer to say?”

🎧 Want more support? Listen to The RISE to Intimacy Podcast on your favorite podcast platform.

And if you’re thinking , “We need more than another conversation, we need a plan,” I offer a free 30-minute consultation call to help you get clear on what’s actually keeping you stuck and what to do next. *xtherapy *xtherapist

Address

2567 Homeview Drive
Richmond, VA
23294

Opening Hours

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

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