WASHINGTON STATE CERTIFIED PEER COUNSELOR EXAM
STUDY GUIDE | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL
DETAILED ANSWERS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
SAMHSA definition of recovery
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
Hope, person-driven, many pathways, holistic, peer support, relational,
culture, addresses trauma, strengths/responsibility, respect
Resiliency
the ability to adapt effectively and recover from disappointment, difficulty,
or crisis
Differing ideas about recovery in substance use disorders
abstinence vs. harm reduction
How Families are integral to recovery for children
Just like a tree needs a strong root system to grow, children need
supportive families to thrive and recover from challenges, with family
members acting as advocates and creating a positive environment for
change.
medical model vs. recovery model of care
medical: 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
Placing the individual ahead of the challenge. Power with. Model this.
Strengths based. No jargon.
, Two ways peer supporters support recovery
Inspire 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
Why is hope essential for recovery?
Hope is like a tiny spark in the dark, showing us that things can get better.
It's the first step towards believing in a brighter future, which is crucial for
recovery.
Peer partner skills
listen actively, support engagement, ask recovery supported questions.
SOLER: seat towards peer, open posture, lean toward peer, eye contact,
relax
Listen to meaning, feeling, values
quietly without judgement, lean in with curiosity, check your bias and your
story, pay attention to feeling and nonverbal cues
Demonstrating understanding
paraphrasing, reflecting feeling, responding to meaning
Orienting
what's going to happen, why (what's in it for peer, why do it), how the
process happens
types of questions
open ended, direct, clarifying
Recovery story
focus on hope, share only when relevant, ask permission, just the salt and
pepper
Supporting peers / trauma resiliency
safety, trustworthiness/transparency, peer support, collaboration and
mutuality, empowerment voice and choice, cultural historical and gender
issues
STUDY GUIDE | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL
DETAILED ANSWERS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
SAMHSA definition of recovery
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
Hope, person-driven, many pathways, holistic, peer support, relational,
culture, addresses trauma, strengths/responsibility, respect
Resiliency
the ability to adapt effectively and recover from disappointment, difficulty,
or crisis
Differing ideas about recovery in substance use disorders
abstinence vs. harm reduction
How Families are integral to recovery for children
Just like a tree needs a strong root system to grow, children need
supportive families to thrive and recover from challenges, with family
members acting as advocates and creating a positive environment for
change.
medical model vs. recovery model of care
medical: 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
Placing the individual ahead of the challenge. Power with. Model this.
Strengths based. No jargon.
, Two ways peer supporters support recovery
Inspire 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
Why is hope essential for recovery?
Hope is like a tiny spark in the dark, showing us that things can get better.
It's the first step towards believing in a brighter future, which is crucial for
recovery.
Peer partner skills
listen actively, support engagement, ask recovery supported questions.
SOLER: seat towards peer, open posture, lean toward peer, eye contact,
relax
Listen to meaning, feeling, values
quietly without judgement, lean in with curiosity, check your bias and your
story, pay attention to feeling and nonverbal cues
Demonstrating understanding
paraphrasing, reflecting feeling, responding to meaning
Orienting
what's going to happen, why (what's in it for peer, why do it), how the
process happens
types of questions
open ended, direct, clarifying
Recovery story
focus on hope, share only when relevant, ask permission, just the salt and
pepper
Supporting peers / trauma resiliency
safety, trustworthiness/transparency, peer support, collaboration and
mutuality, empowerment voice and choice, cultural historical and gender
issues
