Peer Support Specialist Exam 2025/2026 | Full Study Set
for Certification Preparation
Person-Centered - correct answerA 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? - correct answerO 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? - correct answerElicit
—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? - correct answerWhole 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? - correct answerPre-
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)? - correct answerSAMHSA 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? - correct
answerHealth, home, purpose, and community
What are the guiding principles of recovery as defined by SAMHSA? - correct
answerTen 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? - correct answerThe 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? - correct answerThe 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
for Certification Preparation
Person-Centered - correct answerA 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? - correct answerO 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? - correct answerElicit
—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? - correct answerWhole 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? - correct answerPre-
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)? - correct answerSAMHSA 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? - correct
answerHealth, home, purpose, and community
What are the guiding principles of recovery as defined by SAMHSA? - correct
answerTen 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? - correct answerThe 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? - correct answerThe 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
