Our Approach: Evidence-Informed Support

Parents for Peace interventions use evidence-based practices, such as coaching and psychoeducation, to empower individuals and families to navigate radicalization and disengagement with clarity, resilience, and confidence.

Coaching – Goal-oriented and action-focused, helping participants take concrete steps through collaboration and problem-solving.

Psychoeducation – Safe, judgment-free spaces to share experiences, build community, and find hope.

Peer Support – Reaching out to individuals of concern to reduce isolation and rebuild positive connections.

Support Groups – In safe, judgment-free spaces, participants connect with others who understand, fostering shared insight, community, and hope.

Community Connections – Linking families and bystanders with trusted local resources to meet critical needs.

Together, these supports form a comprehensive path toward healing and prevention.

Our Support Team

Exit Interventionists

Our Exit Interventionists work directly with individuals and families affected by radicalization, guiding them through the complex process of disengaging from extremist movements. They bring:

Extensive training and supervised practical experience.
Expertise in crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques.
In-depth knowledge of radicalization pathways and extremist ideologies.

Exit Peer Specialists

A key part of our model, Exit Peer Specialists are individuals with lived experience in recovery from extremism. Their backgrounds allow them to build trust and offer insight through:

Firsthand knowledge of specific ideologies and group dynamics.
Relevant life experience (e.g., military or incarceration).
Personal journeys of disengagement and healing.

Care Coordinator

Our Care Coordinator serves as a central point of contact for individuals and families, ensuring seamless access to support throughout the intervention process. They help:

Assess needs.
Create action plans.
Connect participants with the right services.
Provide ongoing guidance and resources.

Subject Matter Experts

We collaborate with a diverse range of subject matter experts—including clinicians from Harvard’s Boston Children’s Hospital, leading academics, specialists in autism, ADHD, and related fields, and compassionate professionals in law enforcement. This collaboration ensures that our interventions are informed, effective, and deeply supportive.

Participants

We begin by supporting the bystander—often a family member or close contact—and, when appropriate, involve the individual of concern at a later stage in the intervention process.

Bystanders

Family members, friends, or close contacts concerned about someone moving toward extremism.

Individual at Risk

Individuals who are at risk of, or already engaging with, extremist ideologies or movements.

Support Groups. Building a Community.

When families face a loved one’s involvement in extremism, they often do so alone—carrying shame, fear, and confusion in silence. Parents for Peace created the Family Support Network to break that isolation. This confidential support group offers a safe, judgment-free space to share stories, ask questions, and find strength through connection. No one should face this alone.

“No one in my life knows what we are going through. It feels great to finally recognize that I am not alone.”

— Participant in a Support Group

Our Core Values When Supporting Bystanders and Families

Non-Judgmental Support
We meet individuals and families with empathy and without judgment—no matter where they are in their journey.

Holistic Care
We look beyond ideology to understand the full person, addressing emotional, relational, and situational factors that contribute to vulnerability.

Collaborative Partnership
We work alongside families, peer specialists, clinicians, and other professionals to build a coordinated and compassionate support network.

Transparency
We set clear expectations and communicate openly—prioritizing honesty, trust, and realistic outcomes.

Integrity & Sustainability
We value professional integrity and emotional sustainability. Our team leans on supervision, shared responsibility, and ongoing professional training.