CPSS Communication Skills & Professional Boundaries 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A peer support specialist notices they are feeling frustrated during a session because the person they support reminds them of a difficult family member. What is the most appropriate response?
- End the session immediately and refer the person elsewhere
- Acknowledge the feeling internally and refocus on the person's needs (Correct answer)
- Share the frustration openly to model emotional honesty
- Ignore the feeling and continue the session as planned
Correct answer: Acknowledge the feeling internally and refocus on the person's needs
Self-awareness is key; recognizing personal reactions and refocusing on the person being supported maintains professionalism without disrupting the relationship.
Question 2: When using 'I' statements in peer support, what is the primary benefit?
- They shift responsibility for problems onto the peer specialist
- They express personal experience without blaming or judging the other person (Correct answer)
- They allow the peer specialist to give direct advice more effectively
- They help establish authority in the support relationship
Correct answer: They express personal experience without blaming or judging the other person
'I' statements communicate feelings and perspectives without placing blame, which reduces defensiveness and keeps communication collaborative.
Question 3: A peer support specialist is asked by a person they support to be friends on social media. According to professional boundary guidelines, what should they do?
- Accept the request to show genuine care and connection
- Decline and explain that social media connections are outside the professional relationship (Correct answer)
- Block the person to prevent future requests
- Ask a supervisor before deciding, then accept if approved
Correct answer: Decline and explain that social media connections are outside the professional relationship
Maintaining clear boundaries around social media protects both parties and keeps the relationship within its professional purpose.
Question 4: Which communication technique involves restating what someone said in your own words to confirm understanding?
- Summarizing
- Paraphrasing (Correct answer)
- Reflecting feelings
- Open-ended questioning
Correct answer: Paraphrasing
Paraphrasing restates the speaker's message in different words, signaling attentiveness and checking for accurate understanding.
Question 5: A person supported tells a peer specialist, 'You're the only one who really gets me — you're like my best friend.' How should the specialist respond?
- Thank them and reciprocate the sentiment to strengthen rapport
- Warmly acknowledge the connection while clarifying the nature of the professional relationship (Correct answer)
- Immediately involve a supervisor to address the inappropriate attachment
- Avoid responding to prevent encouraging the feeling
Correct answer: Warmly acknowledge the connection while clarifying the nature of the professional relationship
Acknowledging the person's feelings while gently clarifying the relationship's boundaries preserves the alliance without reinforcing role confusion.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes 'motivational interviewing' as used in peer support?
- A technique where the specialist sets goals for the person and tracks their progress
- A collaborative conversation style that strengthens a person's own motivation to change (Correct answer)
- A confrontational approach that challenges unhealthy behaviors directly
- A structured interview format used during intake assessments
Correct answer: A collaborative conversation style that strengthens a person's own motivation to change
Motivational interviewing is a person-centered, collaborative style designed to elicit and strengthen the individual's own motivation and commitment to change.
Question 7: A peer specialist receives a gift from a grateful person they support. According to ethical guidelines in North Carolina peer support, the best course of action is to:
- Accept the gift graciously to avoid hurting the person's feelings
- Decline the gift and explain the agency's gift policy and boundary rationale (Correct answer)
- Accept small gifts under $10 as culturally appropriate
- Report the gift offer to law enforcement as a boundary violation
Correct answer: Decline the gift and explain the agency's gift policy and boundary rationale
Most peer support programs have policies against accepting gifts to prevent real or perceived conflicts of interest and to maintain professional boundaries.
CPSS Communication Skills & Professional Boundaries 2
A peer support specialist notices they are feeling frustrated during a session because the person they support reminds them of a difficult family member.
What is the most appropriate response?