This paper presents a way of understanding suicidal behaviour in adolescent Latinas, focusing upon a model which takes into account acculturation & developmental issues. Adolescent Latinas feel restricted by mothers who maintain traditional cultural attitudes & sex roles. 3 psychotherapeutic techniques – delineating the dilemma, authoring the narrative & reorienting to “good care” & “good justice” – are used to reestablish mutual understanding & empathy between mother & daughter.