Washington state Certified Peer Counselor Exam Study
Guide
SAMHSA definition of recovery - correct answerRecovery is a process of change through which individuals improve their health and
wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential.
SAMHSA's elements of recovery - correct answerHope, person-driven, many pathways, holistic, peer support, relational, culture,
addresses trauma, strengths/responsibility, respect
Resiliency - correct answerthe ability to adapt effectively and recover from disappointment, difficulty, or crisis
Differing ideas about recovery in substance use disorders - correct answerabstinence vs. harm reduction
Families are integral to recovery for children - correct answertrue, support system, advocates, environmental change
medical model vs. recovery model of care - correct answermedical: languages are overly clinical, disempowering, do not promote
hope. Recovery: language and practices that are person centered and promote hope and other recovery concepts
Person First Language - correct answerPlacing the individual ahead of the challenge. Power with. Model this. Strengths based. No
jargon.
Two ways peer supporters support recovery - correct answerInspire hope and possibility. Support peers to get in touch with their
own inner wisdom. Working with, not giving to, not doing for. Not sage on the stage but guide on the side. share your own story of
hope and overcoming challenges, support choice and empowerment, encourage opportunities for additional support
hope is essential for recovery - correct answerthe turning point when we start to have the smallest belief that our lives can improve.
The belief that a positive outcome or better situation lies ahead.
Peer partner skills - correct answerlisten actively, support engagement, ask recovery supported questions. SOLER, seat towards
peer, open posture, lean toward peer, eye contact, relax
Listen to meaning, feeling, values - correct answerquietly without judgement, lean in with curiosity, check your bias and your story,
pay attention to feeling and nonverbal cues
Demonstrating understanding - correct answerparaphrasing, reflecting feeling, responding to meaning
Orienting - correct answerwhat's going to happen, why (what's in it for peer, why do it), how the process happens
types of questions - correct answeropen ended, direct, clarifying
Recovery story - correct answerfocus on hope, share only when relevant, ask permission, just the salt and pepper
Supporting peers / trauma resiliency - correct answersafety, trustworthiness/transparency, peer support, collaboration and mutuality,
empowerment voice and choice, cultural historical and gender issues
short stories - correct answershare the message not the mess
approaching conflict - correct answeracknowledge there is a problem, emphasize ground rules, look for areas of agreement, affirm
value of different opinions, listen to everyone's point of view, define conflict early, create solutions, choose a solution
peer partnering - correct answerattending, listening, paraphrasing, validating, feeling heard, present moment, empathy, open ended
questions
support self advocacy - correct answeruse our own recovery story, support self advocacy, model community advocacy
self advocacy planning - correct answerstart with strengths. Name the need, help do research, identify gatekeeper, make a plan,
role play, repeat, prepare for no
Ethics - correct answerequitable and fair, do no harm, respect and mutuality, when in doubt ask your supervisor
DAP note - correct answerData, Assessment, Plan
individualized service plan updated - correct answerevery 6 months
SMART goals - correct answerSpecific
Measurable
Attainable
Relevant
Timely
behavioral health - correct answera state of mental/emotional being and/or choices and actions that affect wellness. Behavioral
health problems include substance abuse or misuse, alcohol and drug addiction, serious psychological distress, suicide, and mental
and substance use disorders
when is certification as a peer counselor required by the state of wa - correct answerto be medicaid reimbursable
describe where peer supporters might work - correct answeroutpatient, peer bridger, housing or employment, crisis, pact
WAC 182-538D-0200 - correct answerdefines peer counselors as a person who is recognized by a medicaid agency as a person
who self identifies as a consumer of behavioral health services. Parent or legal guardians of a child under the age of 18 who has
applied for, are eligible for, or have received services may also become a peer counselor.
Youth peer supporter role - correct answerrelate to youth culture, support young people.
parent peer supporter role - correct answerparent of child with behavioral health challenge, knows the system and can offer hope
recovery coach - correct answerRecovery coaching is a person-centered, strengths-based support for people who suffer from their
own or someone else's addictions.
peer role is and is not - correct answerbuild hope, empowerment, self advocacy, building blocks of recovery. Is not a clinician, does
not give advice, talk about medications or medical issues, work outside the scope of their jobs, focus on their own problems.
process for becoming certified peer counselor - correct answermeet qualifications. Apply for training. be accepted. Complete
prerequisite online training. complete in person training. take written and oral exam. Apply for aacr.
why is self advocacy important, what part does it play in recovery - correct answerleads to empowerment and self-determination.
Advocacy vs self advocacy - correct answerwe may advocate directly with treatment teams with families with the community, may
advocate for involvement of the person. Self-advocacy peer advocates for themselves.
how do strengths play a part in self advocacy - correct answerexplore peer's strengths, starting with strengths is the first part of
developing self advocacy
Guide
SAMHSA definition of recovery - correct answerRecovery is a process of change through which individuals improve their health and
wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential.
SAMHSA's elements of recovery - correct answerHope, person-driven, many pathways, holistic, peer support, relational, culture,
addresses trauma, strengths/responsibility, respect
Resiliency - correct answerthe ability to adapt effectively and recover from disappointment, difficulty, or crisis
Differing ideas about recovery in substance use disorders - correct answerabstinence vs. harm reduction
Families are integral to recovery for children - correct answertrue, support system, advocates, environmental change
medical model vs. recovery model of care - correct answermedical: languages are overly clinical, disempowering, do not promote
hope. Recovery: language and practices that are person centered and promote hope and other recovery concepts
Person First Language - correct answerPlacing the individual ahead of the challenge. Power with. Model this. Strengths based. No
jargon.
Two ways peer supporters support recovery - correct answerInspire hope and possibility. Support peers to get in touch with their
own inner wisdom. Working with, not giving to, not doing for. Not sage on the stage but guide on the side. share your own story of
hope and overcoming challenges, support choice and empowerment, encourage opportunities for additional support
hope is essential for recovery - correct answerthe turning point when we start to have the smallest belief that our lives can improve.
The belief that a positive outcome or better situation lies ahead.
Peer partner skills - correct answerlisten actively, support engagement, ask recovery supported questions. SOLER, seat towards
peer, open posture, lean toward peer, eye contact, relax
Listen to meaning, feeling, values - correct answerquietly without judgement, lean in with curiosity, check your bias and your story,
pay attention to feeling and nonverbal cues
Demonstrating understanding - correct answerparaphrasing, reflecting feeling, responding to meaning
Orienting - correct answerwhat's going to happen, why (what's in it for peer, why do it), how the process happens
types of questions - correct answeropen ended, direct, clarifying
Recovery story - correct answerfocus on hope, share only when relevant, ask permission, just the salt and pepper
Supporting peers / trauma resiliency - correct answersafety, trustworthiness/transparency, peer support, collaboration and mutuality,
empowerment voice and choice, cultural historical and gender issues
short stories - correct answershare the message not the mess
approaching conflict - correct answeracknowledge there is a problem, emphasize ground rules, look for areas of agreement, affirm
value of different opinions, listen to everyone's point of view, define conflict early, create solutions, choose a solution
peer partnering - correct answerattending, listening, paraphrasing, validating, feeling heard, present moment, empathy, open ended
questions
support self advocacy - correct answeruse our own recovery story, support self advocacy, model community advocacy
self advocacy planning - correct answerstart with strengths. Name the need, help do research, identify gatekeeper, make a plan,
role play, repeat, prepare for no
Ethics - correct answerequitable and fair, do no harm, respect and mutuality, when in doubt ask your supervisor
DAP note - correct answerData, Assessment, Plan
individualized service plan updated - correct answerevery 6 months
SMART goals - correct answerSpecific
Measurable
Attainable
Relevant
Timely
behavioral health - correct answera state of mental/emotional being and/or choices and actions that affect wellness. Behavioral
health problems include substance abuse or misuse, alcohol and drug addiction, serious psychological distress, suicide, and mental
and substance use disorders
when is certification as a peer counselor required by the state of wa - correct answerto be medicaid reimbursable
describe where peer supporters might work - correct answeroutpatient, peer bridger, housing or employment, crisis, pact
WAC 182-538D-0200 - correct answerdefines peer counselors as a person who is recognized by a medicaid agency as a person
who self identifies as a consumer of behavioral health services. Parent or legal guardians of a child under the age of 18 who has
applied for, are eligible for, or have received services may also become a peer counselor.
Youth peer supporter role - correct answerrelate to youth culture, support young people.
parent peer supporter role - correct answerparent of child with behavioral health challenge, knows the system and can offer hope
recovery coach - correct answerRecovery coaching is a person-centered, strengths-based support for people who suffer from their
own or someone else's addictions.
peer role is and is not - correct answerbuild hope, empowerment, self advocacy, building blocks of recovery. Is not a clinician, does
not give advice, talk about medications or medical issues, work outside the scope of their jobs, focus on their own problems.
process for becoming certified peer counselor - correct answermeet qualifications. Apply for training. be accepted. Complete
prerequisite online training. complete in person training. take written and oral exam. Apply for aacr.
why is self advocacy important, what part does it play in recovery - correct answerleads to empowerment and self-determination.
Advocacy vs self advocacy - correct answerwe may advocate directly with treatment teams with families with the community, may
advocate for involvement of the person. Self-advocacy peer advocates for themselves.
how do strengths play a part in self advocacy - correct answerexplore peer's strengths, starting with strengths is the first part of
developing self advocacy
