Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a core value of peer support services?

1. Empathy and shared experience

2. Disorder-focused

3. Respect for consumer choices

4. Encouragement of self-advocacy

The correct answer is: Disorder-focused

The core values of peer support services emphasize the importance of personal experience and mutual understanding, which is innate to the practice. Empathy and shared experience are fundamental because they help establish a connection between peers based on similar challenges and journeys. Respect for consumer choices reflects the belief that individuals have the right to make their own decisions about their lives and recovery paths, reinforcing their autonomy and agency. Encouragement of self-advocacy empowers individuals by fostering their ability to voice their needs and preferences in their treatment and recovery processes. Disorder-focused approaches would typically emphasize the medical model, which centers around diagnosis and treatment of specific disorders rather than the holistic, person-centered perspective that peer support embodies. Peer support services prioritize lived experience and collaborative relationships rather than focusing narrowly on specific disorders. By grounding support in shared experiences and mutual empowerment, the values align closely with principles of recovery and personal growth rather than a mere clinical focus on mental health conditions.