CRS Communication Skills 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is the MOST effective way to communicate boundaries to a client who is seeking a personal friendship with their CRS?
- Ignore the behavior and hope it resolves on its own
- Gently and clearly explain the professional role and its limits (Correct answer)
- Transfer the client to another specialist immediately
- Agree to a limited personal friendship to preserve the relationship
Correct answer: Gently and clearly explain the professional role and its limits
Clearly articulating the professional role and its boundaries protects both the client and the specialist while preserving the therapeutic relationship.
Question 2: What does 'strengths-based communication' mean in peer recovery support?
- Focusing exclusively on what the client does well and ignoring challenges
- Framing conversations around the client's existing capacities and successes (Correct answer)
- Providing positive reinforcement for every action the client takes
- Avoiding discussion of relapse or setbacks to maintain hope
Correct answer: Framing conversations around the client's existing capacities and successes
Strengths-based communication identifies and builds upon what the client already does well to support recovery goals.
Question 3: When advocating for a client with an insurance company or housing authority, a CRS should communicate:
- Using emotional appeals to create urgency
- Clearly, factually, and within the client's consent and preferences (Correct answer)
- On behalf of the client without involving them in the process
- With clinical language to establish credibility
Correct answer: Clearly, factually, and within the client's consent and preferences
Effective advocacy is client-centered, factual, and always conducted with the client's informed consent and involvement.
Question 4: A client who is deaf requests that all communication occur through a sign language interpreter. The CRS should:
- Use written notes to avoid the cost of an interpreter
- Arrange a qualified interpreter and speak directly to the client, not the interpreter (Correct answer)
- Ask a bilingual family member to interpret for convenience
- Speak slowly and use simple words to maximize understanding
Correct answer: Arrange a qualified interpreter and speak directly to the client, not the interpreter
ADA requirements mandate qualified interpreters, and best practice is to address the client directly rather than the interpreter.
Question 5: Which of the following scenarios represents a breakdown in professional communication between a CRS and supervisor?
- Reporting a difficult client interaction for consultation
- Sharing concerns about caseload size in a supervision meeting
- Discussing a client's full case history with a supervisor from another program (Correct answer)
- Asking for guidance on how to respond to a client in crisis
Correct answer: Discussing a client's full case history with a supervisor from another program
Sharing detailed client information with supervisors outside the client's program violates confidentiality without client consent.
Question 6: Which phrase is MOST consistent with recovery-oriented, person-first language?
- 'Addict in recovery'
- 'Person with a substance use disorder' (Correct answer)
- 'Reformed drug user'
- 'Clean and sober individual'
Correct answer: 'Person with a substance use disorder'
Person-first language places the individual before the diagnosis, reducing stigma and affirming identity beyond the disorder.
Question 7: When a CRS is uncertain about the correct course of action during a client interaction, the BEST response is to:
- Make a decision independently to avoid appearing inexperienced
- Tell the client you will get back to them and consult a supervisor or colleague (Correct answer)
- Follow the last decision made in a similar situation
- Defer all action until the next scheduled supervision meeting
Correct answer: Tell the client you will get back to them and consult a supervisor or colleague
Seeking consultation when uncertain protects the client and models professional humility and accountability.
CRS Communication Skills 5
Which of the following is the MOST effective way to communicate boundaries to a client who is seeking a personal friendship with their CRS?