PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST
CERTIFICATION EXAM STUDY (FLASH
CARDS) 2025 QUESTIONS WITH 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS!!
1 of 38
Term
What is trauma?
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Trauma is extreme stress brought on by shocking or unexpected
circumstances or events that overwhelm
a person's ability to cope.
, An awareness of the prevalence of trauma;
● An understanding of the impact of trauma on physical, emotional, and
mental health as well as
on behaviors and engagement to services; and
● An understanding that current service systems can retraumatize individuals.
Diagnosis of two or more disorders at the same time (dual-diagnosis) ex. Mental
Health and Substance use disorders
Use online and virtual tools to provide access to a range of activation and self-
care tools and resources
that the individual may find useful in achieving their whole health goals.
Don't know?
2 of 38
Definition
A person-centered approach is where the person is placed at the
center of the service and treated as a
person first.
Give this one a try later!
Existential Psychodynamic
Cognitive-behavioral Person-Centered
Don't know?
,3 of 38
Definition
Cultural humility involves an ongoing process of self-exploration and
self-critique combined with a
willingness to learn from others. It means entering a relationship with
another person with the intention
of honoring their beliefs, customs, and values. It means
acknowledging differences and accepting that
person for who they are.
Give this one a try later!
What is trauma-informed care? What is CalAIM?
What is digital literacy? What is cultural humility?
Don't know?
4 of 38
Definition
1. Work at healing our own trauma so that we can support others.
2. Assume that everyone has experienced trauma on some level.
Use a trauma-informed approach
with everyone.
3. Educate all staff and people being served about trauma
4.Ask "What happened to you?" rather than "What's wrong
with you?"
, 5.Seek to understand the meaning people make of their
experiences
6.Create a welcoming non-judgmental environment where people
can consider new coping
strategies
7. Give people choices, safety, and a voice and eliminate coercion
8.Honor people's culture, background, and individual needs
9. Avoid doing harm (retraumatizing people)
10. Find ways to include people in the community even
when their behavior pushes others away
11. Create predictability and consistency. People may interpret
changes, even small ones, as a
threat to their survival.
12. Some people might not be ready to talk about their
traumatizing experiences. People will talk
about it when they are ready and feel safe.
13. Be transparent--Let people know the limits of your role.
14. practice effective
communication skills and be non-
judgmental.
Give this one a try later!
What What are the OARS tools in
is trauma-informed care?
Motivational Interviewing?
What are the guiding principles of What are Trauma-informed
recovery as defined by SAMHSA? peer approaches?
Don't know?
CERTIFICATION EXAM STUDY (FLASH
CARDS) 2025 QUESTIONS WITH 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS!!
1 of 38
Term
What is trauma?
Give this one a try later!
Trauma is extreme stress brought on by shocking or unexpected
circumstances or events that overwhelm
a person's ability to cope.
, An awareness of the prevalence of trauma;
● An understanding of the impact of trauma on physical, emotional, and
mental health as well as
on behaviors and engagement to services; and
● An understanding that current service systems can retraumatize individuals.
Diagnosis of two or more disorders at the same time (dual-diagnosis) ex. Mental
Health and Substance use disorders
Use online and virtual tools to provide access to a range of activation and self-
care tools and resources
that the individual may find useful in achieving their whole health goals.
Don't know?
2 of 38
Definition
A person-centered approach is where the person is placed at the
center of the service and treated as a
person first.
Give this one a try later!
Existential Psychodynamic
Cognitive-behavioral Person-Centered
Don't know?
,3 of 38
Definition
Cultural humility involves an ongoing process of self-exploration and
self-critique combined with a
willingness to learn from others. It means entering a relationship with
another person with the intention
of honoring their beliefs, customs, and values. It means
acknowledging differences and accepting that
person for who they are.
Give this one a try later!
What is trauma-informed care? What is CalAIM?
What is digital literacy? What is cultural humility?
Don't know?
4 of 38
Definition
1. Work at healing our own trauma so that we can support others.
2. Assume that everyone has experienced trauma on some level.
Use a trauma-informed approach
with everyone.
3. Educate all staff and people being served about trauma
4.Ask "What happened to you?" rather than "What's wrong
with you?"
, 5.Seek to understand the meaning people make of their
experiences
6.Create a welcoming non-judgmental environment where people
can consider new coping
strategies
7. Give people choices, safety, and a voice and eliminate coercion
8.Honor people's culture, background, and individual needs
9. Avoid doing harm (retraumatizing people)
10. Find ways to include people in the community even
when their behavior pushes others away
11. Create predictability and consistency. People may interpret
changes, even small ones, as a
threat to their survival.
12. Some people might not be ready to talk about their
traumatizing experiences. People will talk
about it when they are ready and feel safe.
13. Be transparent--Let people know the limits of your role.
14. practice effective
communication skills and be non-
judgmental.
Give this one a try later!
What What are the OARS tools in
is trauma-informed care?
Motivational Interviewing?
What are the guiding principles of What are Trauma-informed
recovery as defined by SAMHSA? peer approaches?
Don't know?
