The following article is based on twelve years experience with psychodynamically-oriented psychotherapy for suicidal patients at the Center for Therapy & Studies of Suicidal Behavior (TZS) at the University Hospital of Eppendorf in Hamburg. Part I describes the psychodynamic & experience-oriented research approach employed by the TZS, which can be view as a contribution to qualitative research into suicide. In Part II, the specific research interest of the author is described, namely clinical & theoretical investigations into female suicidality. (29 refs)