The Ranunculus
Our symbol reflects the therapeutic journey, from dormancy to awakening, honoring the layered, resilient nature of human sexuality and emotional life.
Pleasure and connection unfold in layers, shaped by care, safety, and time.
The Beginning: The Corm
Before a ranunculus blooms, it exists as a corm: not a seed or a bulb, but a compact form that holds potential beneath the surface. It may appear dormant, conserving energy until conditions support growth.
This parallels how many clients arrive in therapy. Desire, pleasure, or emotional connection may feel distant—not absent, but turned inward. Life transitions, stress, trauma, caregiving, pregnancy, birth, or postpartum adjustment can lead the body and psyche to prioritize protection and adaptation. The corm reminds us that dormancy is not loss, but a natural phase of the life cycle.
The Awakening: The Soak
Before planting, a ranunculus corm must be soaked in water. As it absorbs moisture, it softens and expands. Growth cannot be rushed; nourishment must come first.
Therapy is the "soaking" phase. Pleasure-focused sex therapy begins with safety, curiosity, and attunement rather than pressure or performance. Care and attention are gently reintroduced to parts of the self that may have learned to brace or disconnect. In perinatal mental health work, this stage often involves rebuilding trust in the body and allowing pleasure and connection to re-emerge at a supportive pace.
Cool-Season Growth
Ranunculus are cool-season flowers. They establish roots in gentler conditions, thriving in steadiness rather than intensity.
This challenges the belief that sexuality must always be fiery or spontaneous to be meaningful. Much of the deepest growth occurs during quieter seasons of life, including grief, recovery, identity shifts, or early parenthood. In therapy, healing often unfolds through consistency, reduced pressure, and emotional safety.
The Layered Bloom
When the ranunculus blooms, it reveals layers of soft, delicate petals. This complexity is made possible by what was gathered and preserved earlier.
The layered bloom reflects the human experience. Sexuality, pleasure, and intimacy are shaped by history, emotion, relationships, and bodily wisdom. The ranunculus reminds us that tenderness is not weakness, and that pleasure, intimacy, and connection emerge over time through resilience, patience, and lived experience.