CRSS Trauma-Informed Care and Practices

Question 1

Which of the following best describes the core principle of trauma-informed care?

Accepted Answer

Shift from asking 'What is wrong with you?' to 'What happened to you?'

Answer

Trauma-informed care reframes the perspective from pathology-focused to understanding that behaviors are often responses to past traumatic experiences.

Question 2

According to SAMHSA's framework, which of the following is NOT one of the six key principles of trauma-informed care?

Accepted Answer

Mandatory trauma disclosure

Answer

SAMHSA's six principles include safety, trustworthiness, peer support, collaboration, empowerment, and cultural sensitivity — never mandatory disclosure, which would re-traumatize individuals.

Question 3

A recovery support specialist notices a peer becomes suddenly agitated and withdrawn during a group session. A trauma-informed response would be to:

Accepted Answer

Calmly check in privately, offer a break, and ensure the peer feels safe

Answer

A trauma-informed response prioritizes safety and de-escalation by quietly checking in, which avoids public confrontation that could worsen distress.

Question 4

What is 'secondary traumatic stress' (STS) as it relates to recovery support specialists?

Accepted Answer

Emotional strain resulting from exposure to peers' traumatic stories and experiences

Answer

Secondary traumatic stress occurs when helpers absorb the emotional weight of others' trauma, leading to symptoms similar to PTSD in the support worker.

Question 5

Which trauma response pattern is often misidentified as 'non-compliance' or 'resistance' in recovery settings?

Accepted Answer

Hypervigilance and avoidance behaviors

Answer

Hypervigilance and avoidance are common trauma responses that can look like resistance or non-engagement but are actually protective survival mechanisms.

CRSS - Certified Recovery Support Specialist Practice Test

CRSS - Certified Recovery Support Specialist Practice Test

CRSS Trauma-Informed Care and Practices