While mental health services can be delivered through either traditional or community paradigms, most behaviorally oriented clinicians have implicitly or explicitly opted for the more traditional approach. This paper examines research which delineates conceptual limitations in subscribing to a traditional orientation. The community model represents an alternative conceptual model, one which prospectively can better meet ever increasing demands and needs for mental health services. Community interventions embodying the most potential for salutary change (primary prevention and switching emphasis from individuals to environments) have been infrequently implemented. Potent obstacles to mounting such projects are described and strategies for overcoming such formidable barriers are presented. (Author)