Three time-limited group interventions for patients with genital herpes were compared: a cognitive-behavioral stress-management approach, a dynamically oriented psychotherapy approach, and a self-help approach. A posttherapy questionnaire was administered to all subjects to assess the relative impacts of the different treatment approaches and the therapeutic factors which subjects perceived as most salient in each form of treatment. Subjects in the cognitive-behavioral stress-management groups reported greater benefits than subjects in both other conditions. It is suggested that the high degree of structure and goal orientation which characterize this approach may produce superior results, at least when the group experience is time limited.