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Peer Support Specialist Certification
Exam Study Questions and Correct
Answers/ Latest Update / Already Graded
Person-Centered
Ans: 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?
Ans: 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 reco gnize 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
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correctly and their inner wisdom is respec ted.
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?
Ans: 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....?"
What are whole health goals?
Ans: 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.
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What are the basic five stages in the recovery process?
Ans: Pre-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)?
Ans: 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
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.
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
Peer Support Specialist Certification
Exam Study Questions and Correct
Answers/ Latest Update / Already Graded
Person-Centered
Ans: 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?
Ans: 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 reco gnize 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
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |2
correctly and their inner wisdom is respec ted.
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?
Ans: 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....?"
What are whole health goals?
Ans: 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.
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |3
What are the basic five stages in the recovery process?
Ans: Pre-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)?
Ans: 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
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.
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
