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Cortney Pasternak
Cortney Pasternak is licensed by the Registrar General of Ontario and the Ontario Humanist Society to provide Humanist (similar to civil or legal) marriage ceremonies in Ontario (though she is happy to officiate at many other life cycle events as well). She has been screened and trained by the Ontario Humanist Society, which is a vibrant, dynamic and growing organization. More about Cortney →
Author Archives: admin
Do Your Wedding Right the First Time
I often hear from couples getting married for the second time (or for those who are learning about Humanist Officiants for the first time) that they often feel (or felt) they had little power or control over their wedding – … Continue reading
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Tagged covid 19, humanist officiant, Humanist weddings, marriage prep, married, pre-marital counselling
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Marriage Anxiety? Prep and Plan
With the plethora of wedding shows presenting a somewhat seamless path toward weddings — with wedding planners and others to ‘save the day’, it’s no wonder that couples experience intense anxiety in the lead up to their weddings (even if … Continue reading
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Ideas for Unity Rituals for Weddings
I’m often asked for different ways couples can celebrate their unity in their wedding ceremony or marriage ceremony. While I am familiar with some as a Humanist Officiant, which include candle lighting and a ring warming, here is a list … Continue reading
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Tagged humanist officiant, marriage ceremony, marth stewart, unity, wedding ceremony
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Love yourself at any size on your wedding day
Getting married? I have heard many horror stories not only from brides but bridesmaids about the ridiculous pressure they feel to lose weight in time to ‘fit into’ wedding day dresses they will only likely wear once. I had one … Continue reading
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Tagged bride, lose weight, married, wedding
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Nervous About Being the Centre of Attention? Some Alternatives and Help
I am often told by couples that they feel very anxious about standing up in front of others for their wedding ceremony. I have had some couples forego personal vows (or elope) because having to state something so personal is … Continue reading
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Tagged anxiety, counsellor, humanist officiant, meditation, mindfulness, psychotherapist
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Anxious while Planning your Wedding? Or is the Planning Exacerbating your Anxiety?
Some good tips here for the anxious bride while planning a wedding. How about starting with managing (your own) expectations… As a Humanist Officiant and a Counsellor / Psychotherapist, I can help.
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Tagged anxiety, counsellor, humanist officiant, psyhotherapist, wedding
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Therapy Dogs and Help For Those Who Are Grieving
I have always believed — based on both personal and professional experience — in the role animals can play in providing comfort to people who are upset or grieving. We know this from the popularity of therapy dogs, equine therapy, … Continue reading
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Tagged counselling, funerals, grief counselling, grieving, hamilton, humanist officiant, therapy dogs
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Getting Married this Summer? Just a Few Reasons Why Summer Weddings Work
Summer and fall are some of my busiest months in terms of people getting married. People love the weather in the summer (please excuse the torrential rains which have made outdoor weddings more precarious this spring-summer so far) and the … Continue reading
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Tagged marriage, summer wedding
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Wedding Anxiety? Can a Pop-Up Wedding Help?
Many couples say they experience serious anxiety when planning a wedding. But what if there was no planning? Have a look at this Canadian pop up wedding service. As a therapist who counsels couples before and after their wedding day … Continue reading
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Couples Therapy — Before there are problems
I have long written about the benefits of couples therapy before marriage — ostensibly when couples are feeling great about each other. As a mental wellness counsellor, I now offer marriage prep or pre-marriage counselling for couples who are not … Continue reading
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Tagged cortney pasternak, couples counseling, couples counselling, couples therapy, marriage counselling, marriage prep
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