This article analyses a clinical intervention that was carried out at the ethnopsychiatric unit of the Jean-Talon hospital in Montreal. The authors first present an overview of the central concepts of an ethnopsychiatric approach elaborated in France by Nathan in response to mental health problems experienced by immigrants. The authors' intervention is in line with this ethnopsychiatric approach currently being developed in Quebec. The clinical situation is then presented followed by a description of the intervention carried out by the ethnopsychiatric unit. Finally, the authors conclude with an analysis of the situation from various perspectives: psychosocial, psychodynamic (modern etiology) and cultural (traditional etiology).