Presented are guidelines for developing and conducting a group counseling program with the mentally retarded. Advantages of the group counseling approach (such as peer influence), goals for the group (such as teaching skills), and characteristics of an effective group leader (such as empathetic understanding) are outlined. Factors related to group composition (such as the value of including persons of similar intelligence), and various procedures (such as directive vs. nondirective) are considered. Also pointed out are general trends related to group dynamics (such as that early sessions are often chaotic). The major portion of the document describes special techniques useful with aggressive clients during the warming-up phase of counseling (including Indian hand wrestling and the silent insult technique), and other appropriate techniques (such as a courtroom scene and psychodrama). (LS)