My heart burst with joy that I could be a part of this transformation! Just to know that I am making a huge difference in their lives warms my heart. Even more so, the huge difference they are making in my life is incredible. Through the tough times, difficult decisions and tears, there is so much joy to be had and to share with these young children. There is also a lot of support along this path with good friends, neighbors, family and the support of TLC social workers. It is a journey that enriches all of us.
Fostering Connections
Fostering Connections is a group of clinicians in the community committed to long-term psychotherapy for present and former foster children and youth. These children have often had multiple caregivers, multiple social workers assigned to different phases of placement and, in many cases, multiple placements. Each new placement makes it harder for the child to settle in and trust the connection to a new adult. Most have undergone trauma and neglect, further disrupting their ability and willingness to trust.
Clinicians who have joined Fostering Connections believe that entering into a long-term therapy relationship, focused on exploring the individual’s inner world, can be deeply healing and sustaining and can aid these youth’s ability to form sustaining connections with others. Clinicians in Fostering Connections commit to seeing one foster child or youth in their private practice, for as long as is necessary, without charge.
Seeing children and youth that have gone through multiple relational disruptions takes dedication, hard-work and quality training and consultation. Senior clinicians in Sonoma County, with special expertise in issues affecting foster children and youth, give their time providing ongoing group consultation to the Fostering Connections clinicians involved in this program.
Currently, 25 clinicians are volunteering their time for Fostering Connections as clinicians and consultants and 17 current and former foster children and youth are being seen through Fostering Connections. The children and youth receiving therapy through this program are being given a special gift that benefits them as they grow and develop. This program plants seeds that may blossom later in their life.
cherzig [at] tlc4kids [dot] org (Cori Herzig), Psy. D. - Fostering Connections Clinical and Program Director
707-823-7300 Ext. 303
With TLC since 2008
Education
Sonoma State University with an M.A. in psychology, 1993.
California Institute of Integral Studies San Francisco, Clinical Psychology (Psy.D) 2001
Before implementing the Fostering Connections program at TLC, Cori was the clinical director for the Sonoma County chapter of A Home Within.. She has sixteen years of experience in psychotherapy with children, adolescents, families, and adults. She has a special interest in foster children. Cori has been a Sonoma County resident since 1991 and is pleased to be joining a locally-based non-profit with TLC’s reputation.