Massachusetts Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) Practice Exam

Which area is NOT one of the five areas to consider in creating a trauma-informed environment?

1. Control

2. Collaboration

3. Empowerment

4. Trustworthiness

The correct answer is: Control

Creating a trauma-informed environment focuses on understanding and responding to the effects of all types of trauma. The five key areas typically considered essential in establishing such an environment include collaboration, empowerment, trustworthiness, and others that reflect an understanding of the trauma experience and its impacts. Control is not recognized as one of these key areas primarily because trauma-informed care emphasizes the need for individuals to feel safe and empowered in their decisions. While having control over one's environment and decisions is an important aspect of recovery, it does not constitute an established area of focus within the trauma-informed care framework. Instead, the core elements are centered on collaborative practices, ensuring trust and transparency, and empowering individuals to develop their own paths to recovery, all of which facilitate a healing environment. Understanding these foundational elements is crucial as they guide practitioners in their interactions with clients, ultimately helping to foster resilience and promote overall wellbeing in a manner that respects individual experiences of trauma.