When an impasse develops in the treatment of a suicidal patient a consultation can sometimes clear away obstacles & may be lifesaving. It may also be of educational value for the therapist. If wrongly carried out, however, it may turn a dangerous situation into a tragic one. This paper discusses the indications for such consultations, the establishment of a good consultative relationship, formulating the suicidal case, treatment planning, countertransference concerns, & consultant pitfalls.