In this text, the role of the clinical interview in the assessment of suicide risk is discussed. In assessing risk, both the ‘objective/descriptive’ and the ‘experiential’ perspectives are important, which will be described in more detail. In addition to the role of the clinical interview in assessing risk, this critical clinical interaction is also the beginning of the treatment relationship and crisis intervention; thus, it has a role in reducing the risk of suicide. Finally, we comment briefly on the clinician’s conscious, as well as unconscious responses to the patient or ‘countertransference’ that can arise in the interview of potentially suicidal patients, and their potential impact on the assessment of risk.