Sex Therapist
My name is Valon Alford and I am is the founder of Vitality Wellness Solutions PLLC. As a Black woman and clinician, I combine my experience and expertise to promote pleasure. I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a Bachelor of Science degrees in Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Children and Adolescents and African American Studies with a minor in Sociology. I am also a proud alumna of Howard University where I earned my Master of Social Work degree, which has afforded me the opportunity to work in areas of specialization, including child welfare, active duty and veteran military, mental health, professional sports, maternal health, and sexuality education. I obtained a certificate in Sexuality Education and Sex Therapy from the University of Michigan in 2019.
My professional experiences include Child Welfare Permanency Social Worker, Mental Health Intensive Case Manager Social Worker for military veterans, Maternal Child Psychotherapist for military personnel and beneficiaries, Clinical Instructor and Clinical Program Manager. I work full-time as a sport social worker with the NFL Player Care Foundation whose mission is to improve the quality of life for former NFL players. I am passionate about helping people navigate and transcend systems while prioritizing their well-being. I am passionate about centering pleasure to empower women, especially related to Black women’s sexual and maternal health.
I am informed and competent, and most importantly, I am transparent and relatable. I inject my collaborations with practice wisdom, best practices, and humor. Showing up whole is a personal commitment that I practice to model self-care for community members, professionals, and organizations. As a Black woman clinician and sexologist, I often unpack the nuance of intersectionality on mental, sexual, and maternal experiences of women of color. I have presented at the National Association of Social Workers conference, Dominican College, Howard University, National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations, the Coalition of Baltimore HIV Providers, the Association of Black Social Workers of Metropolitan Washington, DC.
I previously served as a consultant for the NC MATTERS (Making Access to Treatment, Evaluation, Resources, and Screening Better) program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which provides real-time perinatal psychiatric consultation, resources, and referrals for pregnant and postpartum patients throughout the state of North Carolina. In this capacity, I also helped to provide training and support to professionals, as well as clinical and patient navigation services for pregnant and postpartum women. At the time, I was the only Black woman clinician with the UNC Women’s Mood Disorders Clinic. In 2021, I contributed to the March of Dimes, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the National Birth Equity Collaborative’s Maternal HealthCARE (Collaborative to Advance Racial Equity) Initiative, “which aims to specifically advance equity in maternal health through hospital-based quality improvement activities.” In December 2021, I participated in the first-ever federal Maternal Day of Action with the Office of Vice President Kamala Harris’ Maternal Health Stakeholders group.
I am a dedicated social worker, and I served five years on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Social Workers, Metro DC Chapter from 2010-2015. I am licensed as a clinical social worker in North Carolina (License #C011670) and the District of Columbia (License #LC50079900). I am also a Certified Sexuality Educator through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. Additionally, I am licensed as a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional through Postpartum Support International.
How does Sex Therapy work?
As a sex therapist, I focus on the physical relationship between two people in a relationship, then identify the couple’s attitudes about sex and the sexual problem. From there, I will often recommend specific exercises to refocus the couple’s attention and expectations.
Specific objectives may include the following:
- Learning to eliminate and relax distractions
- Learning to communicate what you’d like in a positive way
- Learning nonsexual touching techniques
- Increasing or enhancing sexual stimulation
- Minimizing pain during intercourse
If you’d like to explore sex therapy, know that you aren’t alone in having sexual problems. Please contact me directly to schedule an appointment.
Information
Hours: By Appointment Only
Office: Due to state licensing requirements, Valon provides counseling services via online telehealth to residents of Washington, DC only.
Investment: Valon accepts Aetna. If you have other insurance, please review her fee schedule.
- Individual Counseling: 75-minute intake $175 | 55-minute ongoing $150
- Couples Counseling: 90-minute intake $250 | 60-minute ongoing $175
- Couples Sex Therapy: 90-minute intake $250 | 60-minute ongoing $175
- Failure to Keep Appointment (No Show): $75
Email: info@vitalityfulfilled.com
