Peer Support Specialist Certification Exam
Questions With Verified Answers
Person-Centered
A person-centered approach is where the person is placed at the center of the service and treated as
a
person first.
What are the OARS tools in Motivational Interviewing?
O Open-ended questions invite others to "tell their story" in their own words without
leading them in a specific direction (as opposed to questions that can be answered yes
or no). Be cautious about asking too many questions as it can damage the peer
relationship.
A Affirmations are statements and gestures that recognize a person's strengths and
acknowledge behaviors that lead in the direction of positive change, no matter how
large or small.
R Reflections/ Reflective listening ensures that the person's words are interpreted
correctly and their inner wisdom is respected.
S Summaries are a type of reflective listening which helps to ensure that there is clear
communication between the speaker and listener. Summaries can provide a stepping
stone towards change.
Reflections/
What is the tool "Elicit- Provide-Elicit" in Motivational Interviewing?
Elicit—Ask permission to give information or ask which information the person is asking for.
● "Would it be all right if I tell you about a few self-help support groups that have worked
for other people?'
● "Would you like to know about....?"
● "What would you like to know about....?"
What are whole health goals?
Whole person health involves looking at the whole person instead of looking at health as fragments of
diseases, symptoms and problems. It is shifting from only thinking about 'What is the matter with
you?'
to thinking about what matters to you.
What are the basic five stages in the recovery process?
Pre-Contemplation Not ready
Contemplation Getting ready
Preparation Ready
Action Making change
Maintenance Keeping up change
What is "recovery" according to the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration
(SAMHSA)?
SAMHSA definition: "A process of change through which individuals improve their health and
wellness,
live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential." This definition does not describe
recovery as an end state, but rather as a process. Complete symptom remission is neither a
prerequisite of
recovery nor a necessary outcome of the process. Recovery can have many pathways that may
include
, professional clinical treatment; use of medications; support from families and in schools; faith-based
approaches; peer support; and other approaches.
What are the four dimensions that support recovery, according to SAMHSA?
Health, home, purpose, and community
What are the guiding principles of recovery as defined by SAMHSA?
Ten guiding principles of recovery as defined by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services
Administration (SAMHSA).
1. Recovery emerges from hope
2. Recovery is person‐driven
3. Recovery occurs via many pathways
4. Recovery is holistic
5. Recovery is supported by peers and allies
6. Recovery is supported through relationships and social networks
7. Recovery is culturally based and influenced
8. Recovery is supported by addressing trauma
9. Recovery involves individual, family, and community strengths and responsibilities
10. Recovery is based on respect
What is the Americans with Disabilities Act?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ACA) is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against
individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all
public and private places that are open to the general public.
What is the Olmstead decision?
The Olmstead decision in 1999 was a major milestone with the U.S. Supreme Court. The Olmstead
decision affirmed the idea that nobody can be separated from society and denied the right to make
decisions for themselves. In the Olmstead decision, the court concluded that people with disabilities
have a right to receive state-funded supports in the community, rather than in facilities, affirming the
argument that had been made by advocates for decades. Evidence provided supported the fact that
having these choices isn't more expensive, in fact, it costs less. The legacy of the Olmstead decision is
that community living isn't just a preference, it's a civil right. You have the right to access supports
you
may need in your home rather than a facility.
What is the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act?
In 1967, California passed the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act to, "end the inappropriate, indefinite, and
involuntary commitment of persons with mental health disorders, people with developmental
disabilities, persons impaired by chronic alcoholism, and to eliminate legal disabilities. "
How do Peer Support Specialists create healing relationships?
Peer Support Specialists have the ability to create healing relationships based on respect, compassion,
open and honest communication, active listening and cultural humility.
What is cultural humility?
Cultural humility involves an ongoing process of self-exploration and self-critique combined with a
willingness to learn from others. It means entering a relationship with another person with the
intention
Questions With Verified Answers
Person-Centered
A person-centered approach is where the person is placed at the center of the service and treated as
a
person first.
What are the OARS tools in Motivational Interviewing?
O Open-ended questions invite others to "tell their story" in their own words without
leading them in a specific direction (as opposed to questions that can be answered yes
or no). Be cautious about asking too many questions as it can damage the peer
relationship.
A Affirmations are statements and gestures that recognize a person's strengths and
acknowledge behaviors that lead in the direction of positive change, no matter how
large or small.
R Reflections/ Reflective listening ensures that the person's words are interpreted
correctly and their inner wisdom is respected.
S Summaries are a type of reflective listening which helps to ensure that there is clear
communication between the speaker and listener. Summaries can provide a stepping
stone towards change.
Reflections/
What is the tool "Elicit- Provide-Elicit" in Motivational Interviewing?
Elicit—Ask permission to give information or ask which information the person is asking for.
● "Would it be all right if I tell you about a few self-help support groups that have worked
for other people?'
● "Would you like to know about....?"
● "What would you like to know about....?"
What are whole health goals?
Whole person health involves looking at the whole person instead of looking at health as fragments of
diseases, symptoms and problems. It is shifting from only thinking about 'What is the matter with
you?'
to thinking about what matters to you.
What are the basic five stages in the recovery process?
Pre-Contemplation Not ready
Contemplation Getting ready
Preparation Ready
Action Making change
Maintenance Keeping up change
What is "recovery" according to the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration
(SAMHSA)?
SAMHSA definition: "A process of change through which individuals improve their health and
wellness,
live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential." This definition does not describe
recovery as an end state, but rather as a process. Complete symptom remission is neither a
prerequisite of
recovery nor a necessary outcome of the process. Recovery can have many pathways that may
include
, professional clinical treatment; use of medications; support from families and in schools; faith-based
approaches; peer support; and other approaches.
What are the four dimensions that support recovery, according to SAMHSA?
Health, home, purpose, and community
What are the guiding principles of recovery as defined by SAMHSA?
Ten guiding principles of recovery as defined by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services
Administration (SAMHSA).
1. Recovery emerges from hope
2. Recovery is person‐driven
3. Recovery occurs via many pathways
4. Recovery is holistic
5. Recovery is supported by peers and allies
6. Recovery is supported through relationships and social networks
7. Recovery is culturally based and influenced
8. Recovery is supported by addressing trauma
9. Recovery involves individual, family, and community strengths and responsibilities
10. Recovery is based on respect
What is the Americans with Disabilities Act?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ACA) is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against
individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all
public and private places that are open to the general public.
What is the Olmstead decision?
The Olmstead decision in 1999 was a major milestone with the U.S. Supreme Court. The Olmstead
decision affirmed the idea that nobody can be separated from society and denied the right to make
decisions for themselves. In the Olmstead decision, the court concluded that people with disabilities
have a right to receive state-funded supports in the community, rather than in facilities, affirming the
argument that had been made by advocates for decades. Evidence provided supported the fact that
having these choices isn't more expensive, in fact, it costs less. The legacy of the Olmstead decision is
that community living isn't just a preference, it's a civil right. You have the right to access supports
you
may need in your home rather than a facility.
What is the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act?
In 1967, California passed the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act to, "end the inappropriate, indefinite, and
involuntary commitment of persons with mental health disorders, people with developmental
disabilities, persons impaired by chronic alcoholism, and to eliminate legal disabilities. "
How do Peer Support Specialists create healing relationships?
Peer Support Specialists have the ability to create healing relationships based on respect, compassion,
open and honest communication, active listening and cultural humility.
What is cultural humility?
Cultural humility involves an ongoing process of self-exploration and self-critique combined with a
willingness to learn from others. It means entering a relationship with another person with the
intention
