Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Practice Exam

What should a Peer Support Specialist do if a person receiving support dislikes religious content in 12-step groups?

1. Encourage them to attend despite their feelings

2. Offer at least three non-12-step self-help support groups without religious/spiritual content

3. Suggest they ignore their feelings about the content

4. Refer them to a religious counselor

The correct answer is: Offer at least three non-12-step self-help support groups without religious/spiritual content

A Peer Support Specialist should prioritize the comfort and preferences of the individual receiving support. Offering at least three non-12-step self-help support groups without religious or spiritual content respects the individual's feelings and beliefs. This approach demonstrates sensitivity to their needs, ensuring that they have access to alternative resources that align more closely with their personal values and preferences. In peer support, the goal is to empower individuals to choose the pathways that work best for them. By presenting options that do not contain religious elements, the Peer Support Specialist facilitates a supportive environment where the individual can pursue recovery in a manner that feels safe and comfortable. The other options fail to honor the individual’s feelings and choices. Encouraging participation in a setting they dislike can lead to resistance and disengagement from the recovery process. Suggesting that they simply ignore their feelings dismisses their valid discomfort and may harm their trust in the support relationship. Referring them to a religious counselor might not be appropriate since it does not provide them with secular alternatives that better fit their preferences.