CPSS Communication Skills & Professional Boundaries 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In peer support, 'dual relationships' refer to situations where:
- A peer specialist works with two people at the same time
- A peer specialist has both a personal and professional relationship with someone they support (Correct answer)
- Two peer specialists co-facilitate the same support group
- A person receives support from both a peer specialist and a clinician
Correct answer: A peer specialist has both a personal and professional relationship with someone they support
Dual relationships occur when a peer specialist holds multiple roles with the same person, which can create conflicts of interest and compromise objectivity.
Question 2: When a peer support specialist shares their personal recovery story, they should:
- Share every detail to build maximum authenticity and trust
- Tailor the disclosure to what is relevant and helpful to the person being supported (Correct answer)
- Avoid sharing personal stories to maintain strict professional distance
- Share only positive outcomes to inspire hope
Correct answer: Tailor the disclosure to what is relevant and helpful to the person being supported
Purposeful self-disclosure means sharing only what serves the person's recovery goals, not processing one's own experiences through the helping relationship.
Question 3: Which of the following is an example of a 'closed-ended question' in peer support conversations?
- 'What has been most helpful in your recovery so far?'
- 'How did that experience make you feel?'
- 'Did you attend the support group this week?' (Correct answer)
- 'What would you like to focus on today?'
Correct answer: 'Did you attend the support group this week?'
Closed-ended questions can be answered with a 'yes' or 'no' and typically limit elaboration, unlike open-ended questions that invite fuller responses.
Question 4: A peer support specialist disagrees with a decision made by the person they support. The most ethical response is to:
- Refuse to support the person until they reconsider the decision
- Express concern respectfully while ultimately honoring the person's autonomy (Correct answer)
- Contact the person's family to intervene on their behalf
- Document the disagreement and limit future engagement
Correct answer: Express concern respectfully while ultimately honoring the person's autonomy
Respecting self-determination means honoring a person's right to make their own choices, even when the specialist disagrees, unless safety is at risk.
Question 5: What does 'active listening' primarily require from a peer support specialist?
- Providing solutions quickly so the person feels heard and supported
- Giving full attention, reflecting understanding, and avoiding interruption (Correct answer)
- Nodding frequently and maintaining constant eye contact regardless of cultural context
- Taking detailed notes during the conversation to remember key points
Correct answer: Giving full attention, reflecting understanding, and avoiding interruption
Active listening involves being fully present, demonstrating understanding through verbal and nonverbal cues, and refraining from interrupting or rushing to solutions.
Question 6: When a peer specialist suspects a colleague is violating professional boundaries with a person they support, the appropriate first step is to:
- Confront the colleague directly and publicly
- Report the concern to a supervisor or through the agency's established process (Correct answer)
- Tell the person being supported about the suspected violation
- Document observations but take no action unless certain
Correct answer: Report the concern to a supervisor or through the agency's established process
Reporting concerns through proper channels protects the person being supported while following ethical and organizational protocols.
Question 7: Which nonverbal behavior most undermines effective communication during a peer support session?
- Leaning slightly forward toward the person
- Maintaining a relaxed, open posture
- Checking a phone or watch repeatedly during the conversation (Correct answer)
- Using appropriate head nods to signal understanding
Correct answer: Checking a phone or watch repeatedly during the conversation
Checking a phone or watch signals distraction and disinterest, directly contradicting the attentiveness that effective communication requires.
CPSS Communication Skills & Professional Boundaries 3
In peer support, 'dual relationships' refer to situations where: