Peer Support Specialist Certification Exam
Study UPDATED ACTUAL Exam
Questions and CORRECT Answers
Person-Centered - CORRECT ANSWER - 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? - CORRECT ANSWER -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
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
ANSWER - 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? - CORRECT ANSWER - 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.
What are the basic five stages in the recovery process? - CORRECT ANSWER - 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)? - CORRECT ANSWER - 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.
What are the four dimensions that support recovery, according to SAMHSA? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Health, home, purpose, and community
Study UPDATED ACTUAL Exam
Questions and CORRECT Answers
Person-Centered - CORRECT ANSWER - 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? - CORRECT ANSWER -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
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
ANSWER - 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? - CORRECT ANSWER - 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.
What are the basic five stages in the recovery process? - CORRECT ANSWER - 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)? - CORRECT ANSWER - 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.
What are the four dimensions that support recovery, according to SAMHSA? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Health, home, purpose, and community
