Peer Support Specialist Certification Exam Study
1. Person-Centered: A person-centered approach is where the person is placed at the center of the service and
treated as a person first.
2. 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
interpretedcorrectly and their inner wisdom is respected.
S Summaries are a type of reflective listening which helps to ensure that there is
clearcommunication between the speaker and listener. Summaries can provide a
stepping stone towards change. Reflections/
3.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.
"Ï Would it be all right if I tell you about a few self-help support groups that have worked for
other people?'
"Ï Would you like to know about....?"
"Ï What would you like to know about....?"
4.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.
5.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
6.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
1/6
, Peer Support Specialist Certification Exam Study
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.
7.What are the four dimensions that support recovery, according to SAMHSA?-
: Health, home, purpose, and community
8.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
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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
2/6
1. Person-Centered: A person-centered approach is where the person is placed at the center of the service and
treated as a person first.
2. 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
interpretedcorrectly and their inner wisdom is respected.
S Summaries are a type of reflective listening which helps to ensure that there is
clearcommunication between the speaker and listener. Summaries can provide a
stepping stone towards change. Reflections/
3.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.
"Ï Would it be all right if I tell you about a few self-help support groups that have worked for
other people?'
"Ï Would you like to know about....?"
"Ï What would you like to know about....?"
4.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.
5.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
6.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
1/6
, Peer Support Specialist Certification Exam Study
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.
7.What are the four dimensions that support recovery, according to SAMHSA?-
: Health, home, purpose, and community
8.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
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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
2/6
