The Exploring Process (Core Competencies: 2.5; 2.7; 4.8)
Exploring is a fundamental process of peer support. Through exploration, the certified peer specialist draws out the peer's beliefs, perspectives, and lived experience on a wide range of topics regarding life and recovery. Exploration can include current and past efforts in recovery, areas of strength and resilience, concerns and challenges, values about what is most important, community connections, cultural identity, and hopes and dreams for the future. The exploring process typically occurs once connection and the peer relationship are established. Exploration deepens trust and connection that creates the foundation for providing effective support.
The key OARS skill during the exploration process is the use of open questions . Open questions invite the peer to share and explore beliefs, perspectives, values, and lived experiences on a range of topics. Asking about strengths, motivations, ideas about change, and hopes can foster a peer’s resilience. Try to avoid closed-ended and fact- gathering questions because these types of questions tend to limit exploration.
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