Rainer Matthias Holm-Hadulla is a professor of psychotherapeutic medicine at the University of Heidelberg and a training analyst in the International Psychoanalytical Association. He also teaches at various psychotherapeutic training institutions.

• Introduction: existential creativity -- Twelve Exemplary Cases -- Stress reaction with anxiety and depression: a singer loses her voice -- Adjustment disorder: a medical student suffers from crippling jealousy -- Social anxiety: a business management student fails whenever things come to a head -- Anxiety and avoidance: a pianist is afraid to demonstrate her prowess -- Slight to moderate depression: a young woman doctor cannot explain why she feels so low -- Psychosomatic symptoms: a housewife in pain for decades -- Narcissistic personality traits: a law graduate sees no one but himself and despairs -- Histrionic personality traits: a student in search of constant thrills -- Impulse control disorder with Don Juan syndrome: an architect intends to shoot himself -- Severe depression plus burnout: a company employee is completely burnt out and sees no hope for himself -- Psychotic episodes: a musician seeks ecstasy and ends in chaos -- Borderline personality traits: long-term psychotherapy helps to understand feelings and relationships -- Conclusion: an integrative ABCDE model of psychotherapy