A consumer has been joking around during group sessions and not taking group seriously. How should the Peer Support Specialist respond?

• A. Tell the consumer this is not a laughing matter.
• B. Continue to stay focused on the consumer's recovery goals.
• C. Request to be reassigned to a different consumer.
• D. Encourage the consumer to look into a profession as a comedian.

Answer: (C)

Maintaining a productive group requires clear boundaries and staying focused on recovery goals. When a participant repeatedly jokes around and doesn’t take the group seriously, the Peer Support Specialist should address the behavior and work to realign participation. If the disruption continues, involving a supervisor and exploring reassigning the consumer to another group or facilitator helps preserve the group’s learning environment for everyone, keeps recovery goals front and center, and follows agency policies for how cases are managed. This approach is practical and professional because it prioritizes the group’s safety and effectiveness rather than allowing ongoing disruption to derail sessions. Telling the person this isn’t a laughing matter isn’t constructive, trying to push the recovery focus without addressing behavior is incomplete, and suggesting a comedian career shifts the moment away from current needs.