Several sources have suggested that the efficacy of existing mental health care delivery systems might be extended through appropriate collaboration between self-help groups and mental health professionals. There are, however, few published reports of successful collaboration between professionals and self-help groups. This paper presents a narrative report of a field study in which members of a self-help research team provided services of significant positive impact to one self-help group. A collaborative model is formulated. Important elements of this model include adequate knowledge of self-help processes, enhancement of rapport through acceptance of the group, and adoption of a consultive approach. (Author)