A group process approach to community involvement in community based mental health services is discussed. There are numerous difficulties involved in attempting to establish meaningful and effective community participation including program complexities, and interpersonal and staff complexities. It is suggested that to effectively approach problems associated with community participation and control, it is important to consider developmental processes in community participation. The mental health professional should begin by establishing contact with a small group of community people who have an interest in community based mental health services. This total group should then become involved in a process similar to the stages of a task oriented group. The community group should be encouraged to move toward wider representation so that an adequate base can be established for active citizen participation. This organism can be strengthened and further developed through additional group process which emphasize: (1) availability-visibility; (2) flexibility; (3) openness; and (4) initiation of contact. (RSM)