King indicates that mutual goal setting and goal attainment are accomplished when individuals come together in a setting to achieve or maintain a functional health state. In setting mutual goals, individuals bargain, negotiate, and identify commonalities, and goal attainment results in measurable outcomes. King's goal attainment theory encompasses social systems, space, time, growth and development, communication, perception, transactions, visual aids, and curative factors. Although the validity of King's theory is demonstrated in the three settings, a major drawback is the inability to follow individuals as they progress through the juvenile and criminal justice systems. Further research is recommended to extend the theory beyond the initial group experience by monitoring individuals on probation and parole. The methodology and use of visual aids in actualizing King's theory of mutual goal setting and goal attainment are discussed. 6 references and 3 figures