A Professional Counselling Approach in Tertiary Prevention

By Alexander Sievers (Violence Prevention Network)

From 29 September to 1 October, my colleague Julian Störmer and I travelled to Tallinn at the invitation of the Violence Prevention Network Academy to introduce our approach to tertiary prevention in the field of right-wing extremism and to work with Estonian practitioners on practical steps to establish a professional P/CVE offer. The three days were tightly scheduled with many practice-oriented sessions and characterised by genuine commitment from local stakeholders who are determined to address this issue. Estonia is currently in a pivotal phase of development: state institutions and civil society actors are pooling resources and expertise to build a nationwide structure for prevention and deradicalisation. The country’s geography and history have produced a unique social landscape in which influences from East and West meet, creating cultural dynamics that require a sensitive, context-aware and professionally anchored response. Our role in Tallinn was not only to share methods and tools but also to encourage them that the work is feasible and of course requires a joint effort, but that the conditions are very good in this case because the potential practitioners, security institutions and politicians are already sitting at the same table.

So, our key message was that the most important component is the political and institutional will to confront anti-democratic tendencies and to create the conditions that make sustained P/CVE work possible. Violence Prevention Network brings more than 20 years of practice in working with right-wing extremists, individuals at risk of radicalisation, and people seeking to exit extremist milieus. Supporting people from extremist backgrounds has been a core part of our work since our founding. This long-standing practice includes direct casework – from initial contact and trust-building through to concrete distancing and exit processes – as well as structured cooperation with security agencies, custodial institutions, youth services, schools, courts, families and other relevant institutions. In Tallinn we organised our knowledge around four central pillars: client-centred interventions, operational cooperation within multi-agency networks, organisational and legal frameworks, and training and professional development for practitioners.

The training combined theoretical framing with intensive practical exercises. We discussed contemporary patterns of right-wing extremism, recruitment strategies and ideological narratives; developed realistic steps for initiating and accompanying distancing processes; and practised interagency cooperation between authorities and civil society partners. A particular focus was on casework: participants completed risk assessments, simulated handovers between institutions and designed strategies to involve families and social reference persons effectively. The objective was not only to provide guidance but to develop operational routines that can be reliably applied in everyday practice.

Throughout the exchange it became clear that tertiary prevention requires both professional standards and continuous flexibility. Ideologies and methods used by radical groups evolve; societal and political frameworks change and are accelerated during crisis phases. Therefore, interventions must be both evidence-informed and adaptable. Estonia demonstrated a readiness to strike this balance: to build clear institutional structures while preserving room for iterative adjustments as new challenges emerge. Estonian participants engaged actively in drafting local guidelines, planning standardised procedures for case transfers and outlining concepts for the initial and ongoing training of practitioners.

Concrete outcomes from the three days include a clearer shared understanding of the next institutional steps and first organisational decisions. Participants agreed on measures to systematically upskill practitioners, to develop standardised protocols for coordination between police, courts, social services and civil society organisations, and to craft context-sensitive guidelines for distancing and exit work. A plan for continued professional exchange with European partners was formed to support quality assurance and mutual learning. The decision by three Estonian actors to join INDEX – International Network for Disengagement and Exit is an encouraging sign of their commitment to international networking and long-term cooperation.

The Tallinn visit is best seen as the start of an ongoing partnership. Networking and collaboration are the foundational pillars of effective prevention; a robust multi-agency network can both help prevent crimes at an early stage and open preventive and rehabilitative pathways for individuals. With our long-term practical experience, we stand ready to accompany Estonia’s development, to share technical know‑how and methods, and to help build structures that safeguard society while offering realistic pathways for individuals to disengage. Tallinn showed that determination. Professional standards and a willingness to cooperate are the essential building blocks for establishing sustainable tertiary prevention. We look forward to continuing these exchanges and to supporting the development of a resilient, context-sensitive and effective P/CVE approach in Estonia.

Author:
Alexander Sievers is a senior practitioner at Violence Prevention Network and the Programme Director of INDEX – International Network for Disengament and Exit.