[Date] Peer Support Specialist
Certification Exam
Study
, Peer Support Specialist Certification
Exam Study Questions and Verified
Answers
Person-Centered - ✔✔A 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? - ✔✔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
1|Page
©JOSHCLAY 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2025.
, 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? -
✔✔Elicit—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....?"
2|Page
©JOSHCLAY 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2025.
Certification Exam
Study
, Peer Support Specialist Certification
Exam Study Questions and Verified
Answers
Person-Centered - ✔✔A 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? - ✔✔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
1|Page
©JOSHCLAY 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2025.
, 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? -
✔✔Elicit—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....?"
2|Page
©JOSHCLAY 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2025.
