This paper describes the use of a particular therapeutic modality--behavioral groups--in a relatively new delivery system called a Health Maintenance Organization. The program described, run under the George Washington University Health Plan, offers short-term structured groups designed to aid people at particularly difficult or vulnerable developmental periods. Many of the groups are aimed specifically at helping people develop coping skills, problem-solving techniques and self-control strategies to deal with present and future problems. They include topics such as women's sexuality, weight reduction, coping skills (teaching physiological and cognitive relaxation techniques and assertiveness training), cognitive restructuring (focusing on interpersonal interaction and the modification of irrational and self-defeating cognitions), couples, smoking cessation, women's issues, seniors, career counseling self-help, adolescents, and parenting. The document presents, for each group, a statement of the goal, rationale, member characteristics, group characteristics, materials and research instruments. (Author)