Personalized ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment with Nationally-Recognized Psychiatrist Dr. Aaron Winkler

Dr. Aaron Winkler is a board-certified psychiatrist offering expert ADHD evaluation and treatment for adults throughout Oakland and the East Bay. He works with professionals, creatives, parents, and students who are looking for real answers rather than one-size-fits-all generic care.

Whether you’re running your business from a home office in Montclair or commuting to San Francisco from Emeryville, undiagnosed ADHD can quietly chip away at your motivation and emotional well-being. Dr. Winkler helps high-functioning adults get clarity and support through private, personalized care, without the long waitlists or insurance roadblocks.

Oakland Areas Served: ADHD Evaluation & Treatment

Dr. Winkler provides adult ADHD diagnosis and treatment for patients throughout Oakland and the greater East Bay area, including:

Fremont Neighborhoods
Mission San JoseWarm Springs
IrvingtonCenterville
NilesArdenwood

Appointments are available in person or via telehealth throughout Alameda County and all of California.

ADHD Treatment for High-Functioning Adults in Oakland

ADHD doesn’t always look like chaos or hyperactivity. For many high-functioning adults, it shows up as chronic overwhelm, missed deadlines, scattered focus, or emotional burnout, despite strong ambition and the best of intentions. Dr. Winkler offers comprehensive ADHD evaluation and treatment for adults who are tired of overcompensating and ready for clarity.

Whether you’re newly questioning if ADHD might be behind your daily struggles or you’ve been diagnosed but never received personalized care, this is a space built for you. Dr. Winkler helps clients across Oakland and the East Bay reclaim their confidence and peace of mind, with treatment that fits real life.

Client Profiles
Professionals Feeling Constantly BehindYou rely on endless to-do lists and feel like you’re always a few steps behind, no matter how much you try to stay ahead or stay late to catch up. ADHD often hides behind productivity hacks and over-functioning.
Creatives Who Struggle with Follow-ThroughYou’re full of ideas and inspiration, but turning vision into finished work is a constant battle. Projects pile up half-completed, and the pressure to "just focus" makes it worse.
Adults Facing Life TransitionsA new job, a promotion, or returning to school has pushed your coping systems past their limit. You used to manage, but now things are slipping, and you're tired of pretending they're not.
Parents After Child was Diagnosed with ADHDYour child was recently diagnosed with ADHD, and now you’re seeing the same patterns in yourself. You’ve spent years pushing through the forgetfulness and overwhelm, thinking this was just how life feels. Now you’re starting to wonder if there’s a reason it’s always felt this way.

Why Choose Dr. Winkler as Your ADHD Psychiatrist in Oakland

Dr. Aaron Winkler offers specialized care for high-functioning adults who are tired of overcompensating and ready for real change. With strong clinical training and a warm, thoughtful approach, he helps professionals, creatives, parents, and students finally get answers and a treatment plan that fits their lives.

Comparison Table
CategoryDr. Winkler’s ClinicOther ADHD Providers in Oakland
Experience & TrainingDr. Winkler is a board-certified psychiatrist with years of experience diagnosing and treating adult ADHD, including work at Stanford and UCSF.Many rely on general mental health training with limited specialization in adult ADHD.
Focus on High-Functioning AdultsThis practice specifically focuses on adults who are outwardly successful but quietly struggling with organization and emotional burnout.Most practices are focused on children or crisis-based care. Adult ADHD is frequently underdiagnosed or misunderstood.
Diagnosis ProcessDr. Winkler’s approach uses a structured, multi-session evaluation that explores history, symptoms, strengths, and challenges.Others might offer a brief screening or checklist with limited time for questions or reflection.
Medication + Therapy IntegrationYou get access to the care model that works for you, whether it’s medication management, psychotherapy, or both.Most providers only offer medication management or therapy, not both.
Emotional Growth ApproachDr. Winkler’s approach goes beyond symptom control to address the shame and self-doubt that often come with ADHD.Other treatment models focus on surface-level symptom relief or basic coping tools.

Specialized ADHD Evaluation & Treatment Services in Oakland

At Dr. Winkler’s clinic, we provide comprehensive ADHD evaluation and treatment tailored specifically for adults. You might be a grad student at Mills College or UC Berkeley who’s brilliant in discussion but can’t start essays until after midnight, or a nonprofit director in Lake Merritt who’s mission-driven but overwhelmed by clutter and chronic time stress.

Whether you’re looking for a formal diagnosis, exploring medication options, or seeking therapy, Dr. Winkler practices personalized, private care that is designed to fit your real life, not a generic model.

Services Overview
Comprehensive ADHD Diagnosis
  • Includes a structured evaluation process over multiple sessions—no rushed assessments or complicated checklists
  • Explores your full history: attention, organization, emotional regulation, relationships, and work habits
  • Provides a clear, written summary of findings and personalized treatment recommendations
  • Gives you the opportunity to ask questions and truly understand your diagnosis, not just receive a label


Medication Consultation and Management
  • Discusses whether medication makes sense for your goals and your comfort level
  • Starts at a low, careful dose with close follow-up to fine-tune effectiveness and reduce side effects
  • Integrates medication with therapy or lifestyle strategies, never as a one-size-fits-all solution
  • Allows space to ask questions and feel fully informed before beginning any prescription
  • Transitions medication management to your primary care provider when you’re ready
Intensive Psychotherapy
  • Focuses on meaningful work tailored to adults with ADHD, not just surface-level coping skills
  • Explores emotional patterns like shame, self-criticism, anxiety, or trauma that often co-exist with ADHD
  • Helps you build sustainable systems for motivation, follow-through, and self-trust
  • Encourages insight, not just behavior change, so you can understand why you get stuck and how to grow
  • Offers a consistent, collaborative space to track progress and stay connected to your long-term goals

Is Private ADHD Evaluation Right for You?

You might benefit from a private evaluation ifL

Your First Visit: What to Expect

Many adults come into this process unsure of what to expect, wondering if their challenges are “real enough,” or worried they’ll be rushed or misunderstood. At Dr. Winkler’s Oakland clinic, your first visit is designed to be different. Here’s what you can expect:

Evaluation Visit Overview
DiscussionYour first appointment is a chance to slow down and be heard—a real conversation about what you’ve been dealing with and what you need moving forward.
Priorities & GoalsYou’ll have space to share what you’re hoping to improve, whether it’s staying focused at work, managing emotional ups and downs, or simply understanding yourself better.
Evaluation ProcessYou’ll learn exactly how the diagnostic process works and what to expect from the experience.
Treatment OptionsIf treatment is appropriate, you’ll learn about all of your options in a clear, honest way without any judgment or pressure.
QuestionsYou’ll have plenty of time to ask anything that’s on your mind, from diagnosis to medication and therapy.
Clear PlanBefore you leave, you’ll have a clear outline of next steps, with no confusion and no guesswork.

About Dr. Aaron Winkler

Dr. Aaron Winkler is a board-certified psychiatrist and nationally recognized expert in adult ADHD. He founded and directed the Stanford Adult ADHD Clinic and serves on the APSARD National Guidelines Taskforce, helping to shape the future of adult ADHD diagnosis and treatment. He delivers award-winning clinical care with the latest research and a thorough understanding of how ADHD impacts high-functioning adults.

At his practice, Dr. Winkler provides thoughtful, individualized care that goes beyond managing symptoms. He is dedicated to helping patients move from merely coping to experiencing real growth and emotional freedom. Every step of treatment reflects his belief that meaningful change happens when care respects both your struggles and your strengths.

Serving Oakland and the Greater East Bay Area

Dr. Aaron Winkler provides ADHD psychiatric services to adults across Oakland, including Rockridge, Lake Merritt, Temescal, Montclair, Jack London Square, and Piedmont. He also works with clients in nearby communities such as Berkeley and Emeryville, as well as graduate students and faculty affiliated with local institutions like UC Berkeley and Samuel Merritt University.

Telehealth appointments are also available to adults throughout California.

ADHD Services in Oakland

You deserve real answers and real solutions. Request an appointment today to start your journey with Dr. Winkler in San Jose.