In a Negro family the mother was masochistic and compulsive, overprotective to her children, and reluctant to be helped, and the father was a paranoid schizophrenic, unemployable, asthmatic, and a menace to the children. Relationship with a caseworker and material assistance strengthened the mother's ego, while group psychotherapy enabled her ten-year-old son to take advantage of easier home conditions. This boy, timid, detached, compulsive, and inadequate, was placed in an activity group with four white boys. After being at first preoccupied with materials, he and a neurotic hyperactive boy became dependent upon each other. The Negro boy passed from regressive to aggressive games, and then showed acceptable aggression toward other members. His increased assertiveness at home and in school was discussed by caseworker and psychiatrist. This combination of treatments and regular consultations produced improvement in the whole family.