Presents a response to the issues raised by Werth and Holdwick, and Westefeld et al. (2000, [this issue]). Focuses on augmenting the implications of these two articles for training in counseling psychology. Draws on the author's experience as an educator in suicide intervention, as well as his collaborative research on the development and assessment of competencies in this area of practice. (Contains 23 references and 1 table.) (GCP)