Training Clinicians in Adult ADHD
Expert Training from the Leading Authority in Adult ADHD
Dr. Aaron Winkler is a nationally recognized authority in adult ADHD diagnosis and treatment. He founded and directed the Stanford Adult ADHD Clinic, currently serves on the taskforce developing national guidelines for the treatment of ADHD in adults in the United States, and has spent years refining a clinical approach specifically for adults whose ADHD is frequently missed, misdiagnosed, or oversimplified. His work is trusted by academic institutions, healthcare systems, and fellow psychiatrists who seek deeper clinical clarity in complex adult presentations.
This training curriculum distills Dr. Winkler’s clinical framework into a structured, case-driven educational experience designed for clinicians who want to diagnose and treat adult ADHD with confidence, nuance, and integrity. Upon completing this curriculum, clinicians have the necessary tools to diagnosis ADHD in adults in a single intake appointment, and start medication when appropriate at the conclusion of the first follow up appointment.
Board-Certified Psychiatrist | Founder, Stanford Adult ADHD Clinic | APSARD National Guidelines Taskforce
Who This Training Is Designed For
Dr. Winkler typically trains:
- Psychiatry residents, including PGY-3 and PGY-4 cohorts
- Practicing psychiatrists seeking advanced adult ADHD specialization
- Clinicians working in private practice or group psychiatric settings
- Providers who frequently encounter diagnostic uncertainty, comorbidity, or treatment resistance in adults
The curriculum is particularly valuable for clinicians who recognize that adult ADHD is often obscured by intelligence, insight gaps, trauma histories, and overlapping psychiatric conditions.
Training Format and Structure
The training is delivered as three 1.5-hour sessions, with an optional fourth case-based session. Sessions are interactive, clinically grounded, and rooted in real-world diagnostic and treatment challenges rather than checklists or simplified algorithms. The format can be adjusted to four 1-hour sessions to fit resident training schedules.
| Session | Focus Area | What Clinicians Learn |
|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | What Is Adult ADHD? | Historical development of the diagnosis, developmental and neurobiological foundations, psychological framing, and the lived experience of adults with ADHD |
| Session 2 | Diagnosing Adult ADHD | How to confidently apply the ADHD diagnosis when self-report is unreliable, symptoms overlap with other conditions, and recall is distorted by the syndrome itself |
| Session 3 | Treating Adult ADHD | Medication selection, assessing readiness for treatment, managing comorbidities, addressing misuse risks, and knowing when not to prescribe |
| Optional Session 4 | Case Consultation | Attendee-presented cases with guided discussion on diagnostic uncertainty and treatment decision-making |
Clinical Philosophy Behind the Curriculum
This training emphasizes that adult ADHD is not a diagnosis of exclusion, nor a superficial checklist exercise. Clinicians learn how to:
- Establish developmental onset despite poor autobiographical recall
- Differentiate ADHD from anxiety, depression, trauma, personality patterns, and substance use
- Understand why many adults cannot accurately describe their symptoms without structured exploration
- Educate patients in a way that is affirming, contextual, and developmentally meaningful
- Deploy treatment skillfully, recognizing when medication helps and when it may destabilize patients
Though this training does often speed the process of diagnosis, that is a secondary outcome.
The goal is not faster diagnosis.
The goal is better diagnosis and safer, more effective treatment.
Is Private ADHD Evaluation Right for You?
You might benefit from a private evaluation if:
- Exceptional ability in certain areas paired with persistent, frustrating difficulties in others
- Professional success that requires significantly more effort than it appears to take your peers
- Chronic feelings of underperformance despite strong objective results
- Difficulty staying focused during important meetings, calls, or high-stakes conversations
- Procrastination on tasks that fall well within your skill set
- Emotional reactions that feel disproportionate to the circumstances
- A lingering sense of "barely keeping up" rather than genuinely thriving
- Relief when external structure is imposed, but difficulty creating it yourself
- A family history of ADHD or learning differences
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. His clinical care combines the latest research with a clear 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, true resilience, and emotional freedom. Every step of treatment reflects his belief that meaningful change happens when care respects both your struggles and your strengths.
Learn More or Request Training Information
Clinicians and training directors interested in learning more about this curriculum, hosting a training, or discussing residency-level education opportunities are encouraged to reach out directly.
This curriculum is intended for individuals who want to move beyond surface-level ADHD care and develop a rigorous, adult-focused diagnostic and treatment skillset grounded in real clinical complexity.
Contact Dr. Winkler to request additional information or discuss training options.