CALMHSA Peer Support Certification
Exam 2025 Questions and Answers
What are the stages of recovery? - ANSWER✔✔-Precontemplation, contemplation, preparation,
action, maintenance, termination.
What does the proverb 'You Can Lead a Horse to Water, But You Can't Make It Drink' mean? -
ANSWER✔✔-You can provide an opportunity, but cannot force someone to take it.
What is the role of a PSS? - ANSWER✔✔-Support, resource, strength, empathy, and compassion.
What is the Trans-theoretical Model of Behavior Change? - ANSWER✔✔-Change is a process,
interventions tailored to current stage are most effective.
What is MI? - ANSWER✔✔-Motivational Interviewing.
What is precontemplation? - ANSWER✔✔-Not yet thinking about changing.
What is contemplation? - ANSWER✔✔-Recognizes potential for change but is conflicted and
hesitant.
What is preparation/determination? - ANSWER✔✔-Devoted to transformation but debating what
to do.
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,What is action? - ANSWER✔✔-Making changes but has not reached stability.
What is maintenance? - ANSWER✔✔-Has accomplished goals and is making effort to keep change.
What is relapse/recurrence? - ANSWER✔✔-A repetition of the issues will occur.
What is MI? - ANSWER✔✔-Motivational Interviewing, a client-centered approach to behavior
change.
What is the role of the PSS in MI? - ANSWER✔✔-To enable verbal exchange and help the client
discover how to make a change.
Why is it important to ask clients why they want to make a change? - ANSWER✔✔-It's preferable
to have the client advocate for a change in behavior.
What is the importance of listening in MI? - ANSWER✔✔-Listening well is at least as important as
speaking.
What is the norm when it comes to behavior change? - ANSWER✔✔-Recurrence or relapse.
What is the perception of mental and behavioral health in the community? - ANSWER✔✔-There is
an inherent stigma.
How can the transtheoretical model help improve your life? - ANSWER✔✔-It can help you make a
positive change.
What is the pre-contemplation stage of the transtheoretical model? - ANSWER✔✔-When people
may want to change but haven't made a plan yet.
FOR STUDY PURPOSES ONLY COPYRIGHT © 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,What is the contemplation stage of the transtheoretical model? - ANSWER✔✔-When people begin
to consider the pros and cons of making a change.
What is the preparation or determination stage of the transtheoretical model? - ANSWER✔✔-When
people mentally and emotionally prepare themselves to change.
What is the action stage of the transtheoretical model? - ANSWER✔✔-When people take concrete
steps towards changing their behavior.
What is the role of the client in behavior change? - ANSWER✔✔-To supply the ideas and internal
resources to change.
What is the frequency of behavioral problems? - ANSWER✔✔-Frequent.
What is the rate of change in behavior? - ANSWER✔✔-Slow and varying.
Is knowledge sufficient to spur change? - ANSWER✔✔-No.
What is the tendency when it comes to holding others to unrealistic standards? - ANSWER✔✔-It
can leave patients and caregivers feeling frustrated and worn out.
What is the importance of being patient in MI? - ANSWER✔✔-It acknowledges the anxiety that
comes with having limited time with clients.
What is the role of the client in advocating for a change in behavior? - ANSWER✔✔-They should
do so.
What is the role of behavioral science in making a behavior change? - ANSWER✔✔-Helps in
succeeding and improving life.
FOR STUDY PURPOSES ONLY COPYRIGHT © 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, What is the behavioral change process? - ANSWER✔✔-A process to change behavior.
Who is Isabella in the behavioral change process? - ANSWER✔✔-A beginner who started walking.
What did Isabella's group leader do to help her? - ANSWER✔✔-Provided motivational material.
What stage of behavioral change did Isabella enter after becoming consistent? - ANSWER✔✔-
Maintenance stage.
What is the importance of internal attitude changes in behavioral change? - ANSWER✔✔-Leads to
external behavioral changes.
What is the role of a certified peer expert? - ANSWER✔✔-To be there for individuals in crisis.
Why is it crucial to have a supportive working connection with a peer? - ANSWER✔✔-Offers a
special advantage in trying circumstances.
What is the significance of peer relationships? - ANSWER✔✔-Special and crucial.
What can applying behavioral science lead to? - ANSWER✔✔-Successful behavior change.
What are the challenges in each stage of the behavioral change process? - ANSWER✔✔-New
challenges.
What does a supportive network help in behavioral change? - ANSWER✔✔-Building consistency.
What are Peer Delivered Services? - ANSWER✔✔-Assistance from people with similar
experiences/illnesses.
Who can serve as peer providers? - ANSWER✔✔-Former or present mental health care consumers.
FOR STUDY PURPOSES ONLY COPYRIGHT © 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
Exam 2025 Questions and Answers
What are the stages of recovery? - ANSWER✔✔-Precontemplation, contemplation, preparation,
action, maintenance, termination.
What does the proverb 'You Can Lead a Horse to Water, But You Can't Make It Drink' mean? -
ANSWER✔✔-You can provide an opportunity, but cannot force someone to take it.
What is the role of a PSS? - ANSWER✔✔-Support, resource, strength, empathy, and compassion.
What is the Trans-theoretical Model of Behavior Change? - ANSWER✔✔-Change is a process,
interventions tailored to current stage are most effective.
What is MI? - ANSWER✔✔-Motivational Interviewing.
What is precontemplation? - ANSWER✔✔-Not yet thinking about changing.
What is contemplation? - ANSWER✔✔-Recognizes potential for change but is conflicted and
hesitant.
What is preparation/determination? - ANSWER✔✔-Devoted to transformation but debating what
to do.
FOR STUDY PURPOSES ONLY COPYRIGHT © 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,What is action? - ANSWER✔✔-Making changes but has not reached stability.
What is maintenance? - ANSWER✔✔-Has accomplished goals and is making effort to keep change.
What is relapse/recurrence? - ANSWER✔✔-A repetition of the issues will occur.
What is MI? - ANSWER✔✔-Motivational Interviewing, a client-centered approach to behavior
change.
What is the role of the PSS in MI? - ANSWER✔✔-To enable verbal exchange and help the client
discover how to make a change.
Why is it important to ask clients why they want to make a change? - ANSWER✔✔-It's preferable
to have the client advocate for a change in behavior.
What is the importance of listening in MI? - ANSWER✔✔-Listening well is at least as important as
speaking.
What is the norm when it comes to behavior change? - ANSWER✔✔-Recurrence or relapse.
What is the perception of mental and behavioral health in the community? - ANSWER✔✔-There is
an inherent stigma.
How can the transtheoretical model help improve your life? - ANSWER✔✔-It can help you make a
positive change.
What is the pre-contemplation stage of the transtheoretical model? - ANSWER✔✔-When people
may want to change but haven't made a plan yet.
FOR STUDY PURPOSES ONLY COPYRIGHT © 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,What is the contemplation stage of the transtheoretical model? - ANSWER✔✔-When people begin
to consider the pros and cons of making a change.
What is the preparation or determination stage of the transtheoretical model? - ANSWER✔✔-When
people mentally and emotionally prepare themselves to change.
What is the action stage of the transtheoretical model? - ANSWER✔✔-When people take concrete
steps towards changing their behavior.
What is the role of the client in behavior change? - ANSWER✔✔-To supply the ideas and internal
resources to change.
What is the frequency of behavioral problems? - ANSWER✔✔-Frequent.
What is the rate of change in behavior? - ANSWER✔✔-Slow and varying.
Is knowledge sufficient to spur change? - ANSWER✔✔-No.
What is the tendency when it comes to holding others to unrealistic standards? - ANSWER✔✔-It
can leave patients and caregivers feeling frustrated and worn out.
What is the importance of being patient in MI? - ANSWER✔✔-It acknowledges the anxiety that
comes with having limited time with clients.
What is the role of the client in advocating for a change in behavior? - ANSWER✔✔-They should
do so.
What is the role of behavioral science in making a behavior change? - ANSWER✔✔-Helps in
succeeding and improving life.
FOR STUDY PURPOSES ONLY COPYRIGHT © 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, What is the behavioral change process? - ANSWER✔✔-A process to change behavior.
Who is Isabella in the behavioral change process? - ANSWER✔✔-A beginner who started walking.
What did Isabella's group leader do to help her? - ANSWER✔✔-Provided motivational material.
What stage of behavioral change did Isabella enter after becoming consistent? - ANSWER✔✔-
Maintenance stage.
What is the importance of internal attitude changes in behavioral change? - ANSWER✔✔-Leads to
external behavioral changes.
What is the role of a certified peer expert? - ANSWER✔✔-To be there for individuals in crisis.
Why is it crucial to have a supportive working connection with a peer? - ANSWER✔✔-Offers a
special advantage in trying circumstances.
What is the significance of peer relationships? - ANSWER✔✔-Special and crucial.
What can applying behavioral science lead to? - ANSWER✔✔-Successful behavior change.
What are the challenges in each stage of the behavioral change process? - ANSWER✔✔-New
challenges.
What does a supportive network help in behavioral change? - ANSWER✔✔-Building consistency.
What are Peer Delivered Services? - ANSWER✔✔-Assistance from people with similar
experiences/illnesses.
Who can serve as peer providers? - ANSWER✔✔-Former or present mental health care consumers.
FOR STUDY PURPOSES ONLY COPYRIGHT © 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
