Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) Practice Exam

When working with peers, the best approach is guiding the conversation with open-ended questions rather than making assumptions. This keeps the focus on the peer’s own experience, needs, and goals, and it supports their sense of control over their recovery. Open-ended questions invite richer sharing, helping you understand what matters most to the peer, what barriers exist, and what steps they want to take. This fits recovery-oriented practice and a peer-centered approach that values lived experience and collaborative decision-making. By asking open-ended questions, you explore the peer’s perspective without steering or prematurely labeling their situation, building trust and rapport. In contrast, leading questions push toward a specific answer, yes/no questions limit detail, and making assumptions can misread the peer and harm the relationship. So, focusing on open-ended questions is the most effective way to support peers.