CalMHSA Medi-Cal Peer Support Certification Study Guide & Practice Questions 2026-2027 | PSS Exam Prep
What are the stages of recovery? Precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, termination.
What does the proverb 'You Can Lead a Horse to Water, You can provide an opportunity, but cannot force someone to take it.
But You Can't Make It Drink' mean?
What is the role of a PSS? Support, resource, strength, empathy, and compassion.
What is the Trans-theoretical Model of Behavior Change? Change is a process, interventions tailored to current stage are most effective.
What is MI? Motivational Interviewing.
What is precontemplation? Not yet thinking about changing.
What is contemplation? Recognizes potential for change but is conflicted and hesitant.
What is preparation/determination? Devoted to transformation but debating what to do.
What is action? Making changes but has not reached stability.
What is maintenance? Has accomplished goals and is making effort to keep change.
What is relapse/recurrence? A repetition of the issues will occur.
What is MI? Motivational Interviewing, a client-centered approach to behavior change.
What is the role of the PSS in MI? 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 It's preferable to have the client advocate for a change in behavior.
change?
What is the importance of listening in MI? Listening well is at least as important as speaking.
, CalMHSA Medi-Cal Peer Support Certification Study Guide & Practice Questions 2026-2027 | PSS Exam Prep
What is the norm when it comes to behavior change? Recurrence or relapse.
What is the perception of mental and behavioral health in There is an inherent stigma.
the community?
How can the transtheoretical model help improve your life? It can help you make a positive change.
What is the pre-contemplation stage of the transtheoretical When people may want to change but haven't made a plan yet.
model?
What is the contemplation stage of the transtheoretical When people begin to consider the pros and cons of making a change.
model?
What is the preparation or determination stage of the When people mentally and emotionally prepare themselves to change.
transtheoretical model?
What is the action stage of the transtheoretical model? When people take concrete steps towards changing their behavior.
What is the role of the client in behavior change? To supply the ideas and internal resources to change.
What is the frequency of behavioral problems? Frequent.
What is the rate of change in behavior? Slow and varying.
Is knowledge sufficient to spur change? No.
What is the tendency when it comes to holding others to It can leave patients and caregivers feeling frustrated and worn out.
unrealistic standards?
What is the importance of being patient in MI? 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 They should do so.
behavior?
What is the role of behavioral science in making a behavior Helps in succeeding and improving life.
change?
, CalMHSA Medi-Cal Peer Support Certification Study Guide & Practice Questions 2026-2027 | PSS Exam Prep
What is the behavioral change process? A process to change behavior.
Who is Isabella in the behavioral change process? A beginner who started walking.
What did Isabella's group leader do to help her? Provided motivational material.
What stage of behavioral change did Isabella enter after Maintenance stage.
becoming consistent?
What is the importance of internal attitude changes in Leads to external behavioral changes.
behavioral change?
What is the role of a certified peer expert? To be there for individuals in crisis.
Why is it crucial to have a supportive working connection Offers a special advantage in trying circumstances.
with a peer?
What is the significance of peer relationships? Special and crucial.
What can applying behavioral science lead to? Successful behavior change.
What are the challenges in each stage of the behavioral New challenges.
change process?
What does a supportive network help in behavioral Building consistency.
change?
What are Peer Delivered Services? Assistance from people with similar experiences/illnesses.
Who can serve as peer providers? Former or present mental health care consumers.
What is the role of a PSS? To intervene in a crisis and provide safety and support.
What are some interventions for peer-led self-help? Talking about personal experiences, giving advice, creating a recovery plan.
What are the stages of recovery? Precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, termination.
What does the proverb 'You Can Lead a Horse to Water, You can provide an opportunity, but cannot force someone to take it.
But You Can't Make It Drink' mean?
What is the role of a PSS? Support, resource, strength, empathy, and compassion.
What is the Trans-theoretical Model of Behavior Change? Change is a process, interventions tailored to current stage are most effective.
What is MI? Motivational Interviewing.
What is precontemplation? Not yet thinking about changing.
What is contemplation? Recognizes potential for change but is conflicted and hesitant.
What is preparation/determination? Devoted to transformation but debating what to do.
What is action? Making changes but has not reached stability.
What is maintenance? Has accomplished goals and is making effort to keep change.
What is relapse/recurrence? A repetition of the issues will occur.
What is MI? Motivational Interviewing, a client-centered approach to behavior change.
What is the role of the PSS in MI? 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 It's preferable to have the client advocate for a change in behavior.
change?
What is the importance of listening in MI? Listening well is at least as important as speaking.
, CalMHSA Medi-Cal Peer Support Certification Study Guide & Practice Questions 2026-2027 | PSS Exam Prep
What is the norm when it comes to behavior change? Recurrence or relapse.
What is the perception of mental and behavioral health in There is an inherent stigma.
the community?
How can the transtheoretical model help improve your life? It can help you make a positive change.
What is the pre-contemplation stage of the transtheoretical When people may want to change but haven't made a plan yet.
model?
What is the contemplation stage of the transtheoretical When people begin to consider the pros and cons of making a change.
model?
What is the preparation or determination stage of the When people mentally and emotionally prepare themselves to change.
transtheoretical model?
What is the action stage of the transtheoretical model? When people take concrete steps towards changing their behavior.
What is the role of the client in behavior change? To supply the ideas and internal resources to change.
What is the frequency of behavioral problems? Frequent.
What is the rate of change in behavior? Slow and varying.
Is knowledge sufficient to spur change? No.
What is the tendency when it comes to holding others to It can leave patients and caregivers feeling frustrated and worn out.
unrealistic standards?
What is the importance of being patient in MI? 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 They should do so.
behavior?
What is the role of behavioral science in making a behavior Helps in succeeding and improving life.
change?
, CalMHSA Medi-Cal Peer Support Certification Study Guide & Practice Questions 2026-2027 | PSS Exam Prep
What is the behavioral change process? A process to change behavior.
Who is Isabella in the behavioral change process? A beginner who started walking.
What did Isabella's group leader do to help her? Provided motivational material.
What stage of behavioral change did Isabella enter after Maintenance stage.
becoming consistent?
What is the importance of internal attitude changes in Leads to external behavioral changes.
behavioral change?
What is the role of a certified peer expert? To be there for individuals in crisis.
Why is it crucial to have a supportive working connection Offers a special advantage in trying circumstances.
with a peer?
What is the significance of peer relationships? Special and crucial.
What can applying behavioral science lead to? Successful behavior change.
What are the challenges in each stage of the behavioral New challenges.
change process?
What does a supportive network help in behavioral Building consistency.
change?
What are Peer Delivered Services? Assistance from people with similar experiences/illnesses.
Who can serve as peer providers? Former or present mental health care consumers.
What is the role of a PSS? To intervene in a crisis and provide safety and support.
What are some interventions for peer-led self-help? Talking about personal experiences, giving advice, creating a recovery plan.
