Michael J. Kron, MD, FAPA

MICHAEL J. KRON, MD, FAPA

Clinical Practice of Psychiatry & Psychopharmacology

ADULT PSYCHIATRY
Medications • Evaluations • Treatment
Diplomate, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association
Member, Northern California Psychiatric Society
California Physician and Surgeon License # A74089

3515 Mt. Diablo Blvd
Unit #59
Lafayette, CA 94549

Tel: (510) 393-2127
Fax: (925) 262-2391

Notice to Patients: Open Payments Database (AB 1278)

Effective as of January 1, 2024

For informational purposes only, a link to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments web page is provided here. The federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act requires that detailed information about payment and other payments of value worth over ten dollars ($10) from manufacturers of drugs, medical devices, and biologics to physicians and teaching hospitals be made available to the public.

LATEST YELP AND MORE REVIEWS

Darcy T. April 22, 2024

Dr. Kron is an incredible doctor. I already dread the day of his retirement. He is so wonderful, kind, and helpful and has been a ray of clarity in this sometimes hostile world. He has been my Dr for getting close to 20 years and I can honestly say I love him and feel so lucky I found him. Can’t recommend him enough. Brilliant and intelligent doctor, exceptional person on top.
Allison D. August 11, 2023

I researched extensively in searching for a new psychiatrist, having moved away from my previous psychiatrist of 13 years. Once I found Dr. Kron, I stopped searching and got myself on his cancelation waiting list. Just before I was going to give up waiting and start searching again, he had a cancelation that allowed me to get in to see him. I can not express how thankful I am to have found him. He did the most comprehensive intake I have ever experienced. Absolutely focused on helping his patients and exploring deep to find solutions. By far the best psychiatrist I have ever had.
Susan G. March 1, 2023

Caring and brilliant- saved my life! Personal-able and spends a lot of time getting to know you and understand your symptoms and medical history. I adore him and Nan!
Susan K. February 15, 2021

I recommend him to treat your psychiatric problems such as ADHD, Anxiety and Depression. He seems to really understand me and my problems and works to relieve symptoms and get you on track.
I.B. ~San Francisco, Ca. September 13, 2020

Dr. Kron is a great psychiatrist. My anxiety and depression improved as soon as I switched over to him. I highly recommend him to anyone who need psychiatric help.
Lien H. ~Hayward, Ca. November 20, 2018
Dr. Kron is awesome. I was desperate on getting help for my friend who has PTSD and untreated ADHD for over 50+ years. I love his approach on treating his patient. He took the time and took a great care of my friend. Thank you Dr. Krohn, you are truly an angel.
Qazi T. ~San Francisco, Ca. May 30, 2018
Dr. Michael J. Kron is one of the best doctors that I have had the opportunity to receive treatment from for the last 8 years. He is highly professional and competent as a doctor; and most humane and gracious as an individual. He is always patient and empathetic; he is an asset of the society that we live in. I am certain you, the reader, will be one with me in that the past brings us many gifts; indeed, all that we have today of culture, civilization, science, and knowledge of some aspects of the truth, is a gift of the distant or recent past to us. In the same tune the treatments that I received from Dr. Kron for the past so many years are the gifts which I could not have received without his professional expertise and human virtues. Further, it is curious how sometimes a relatively minor event impresses one more than a major happening. Trivial words or gestures are apt to reveal an individual far more than his studied poses and utterances. So is true with Dr. Kron; his spontaneous attitudes and interactions with the patients bring out the best and rare attributes in him which are rarely found in others. During the periods of difficulty, storm, and stress in my life I have found not only a proficient doctor in him, but, also a sympathizing friend. I wish him all the best.
Erika W April 30, 2018
Currently Dr. Kron has a full practice (I just heard this on his voicemail). I’m not surprised as not only does he have a vast knowledge of treatment options, but he cares about his patients’ lives (not just their symptoms). He has always taken time to make sure I’m doing well. Super smart, kind and great sense of humor – what more could you want from a psychiatrist?
Jay C. ~Clayton, Ca. February 12, 2017
Dr. Kron is the BEST psychiatrist I have EVER seen over almost the last twenty years!
I am NOT overstating the facts…He was the first Doctor to administer real, objective psychological tests to identify my issue(s). I have seen many psychiatrists for severe depression beginning in the fall of 1997. Aside from Dr. Kron, I have seen four psychiatrists and NOT ONE EVER used any objective measure(s) before diagnosing me and prescribing medication. When I first came into their office(s), they would typically listen to me and, after ten minutes or so, diagnose me, prescribe medication and that was pretty much it until “next time.” I think it is also due to his specializing in psychopharmacology in addition to his psychiatric qualifications that has enabled him to assess me further through lab results as well.
Dr. Kron REALLY LISTENED to me and I felt that his treatment of me is as much a human partnership as it is one of Doctor and patient. He is not intimidating and you can feel free to discuss anything with him which I think is very rare among medical professionals. His modification of my meds has lead directly to a SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT in my symptoms and I have never felt better!
I HIGHLY recommend him!
Ryan L. ~Clayton, Ca. February 9, 2017
Dr. Kron is comprehensively brilliant and compassionate. After reading his yelp reviews I decided that I at least had to see what the hype was all about. Believe what you read.

Dr. Kron is in very high demand and I was lucky enough that he had a cancellation and the opening fit into my schedule. Dr. Kron spent many hours with me and my spouse on our initial visit going through my entire medical history; blood work, previous diagnoses, testing, medication history, and symptoms. He demonstrated a keen intellect and a very high degree of knowledge (clearly gained through a passion for his line of work and a love of learning) that he applied to my complex and confusing situation. There is no doubt that his evidence based approach, and research backed recommendations, come from a profound respect for the effectiveness of the scientific method. His previous experience as a scientist is a real asset. He seems to be able to spot salacious pseudoscience from a mile away and filter through studies that lack the controls needed to draw accurate conclusions and separate correlation from causation. He is able to handle complexity like a genius. He utilizes a latticework of mental models that can only come from intense study in many fields (nearly every subject we touched on, and there was a wide range, Dr. Kron had a surprising level of knowledge and wisdom) and many years of practice. You can’t help but notice that he takes what he does seriously and cares about helping those who suffer. I always leave feeling inspired to double my efforts, follow his recommendations to the best of my ability, and seek wisdom in the same way he does.

Dr. Kron was able to see what many other mental health professionals, all across the nation, had missed. I had been looking for exactly the expertise he possesses for many years. He tested me for many different conditions, listened carefully to my experience of life, took into account my family history, and appeared to fully understand what it is like to live with a condition like mine with its many complicating and interacting factors. Many doctors I had seen over the years suffered from the “man with a hammer syndrome” to which every problem looks like a nail. This myopic view fails to incorporate individual variability and keeps prescribing and diagnosing withing the proverbial box. Dr. Kron understands that, while a diagnosis can be helpful, every patient’s symptoms tend to manifest in different ways and that a patient should be treated as the individual that they are. He treats people not numbers. Dr. Kron has obviously earned the right and ability to think independently after considering the best information available – the definition of a high-level expert. He listens like no other psychiatrist I have ever heard of. He is also witty as hell with a delightful sense of humor.

With the new insight he was able to provide I have been able to make progress and generate hope where previously there was neither. I finally feel like I am chopping down the correct forest. A follow up visit and a fair amount of email correspondence has confirmed and reinforced my initial impressions – this guy is outstanding.

He made multiple recommendations beyond medication (all of which he supported with evidence of efficacy) and the therapist he referred me to is skilled at working with my exact issues. When I told her who my psychiatrist was she replied “he is the best psychiatrist I have ever heard of, I wouldn’t be surprised if he is the best in the nation.”

His staff is also outstanding and kind with quick responses and creative solutions to every issue I have run into.

He doesn’t accept insurance (that’s how the great ones often operate) but if you need the best then believe me this is a deal.

A learning machine with compassion is a rare thing to find let alone one who is a board certified psychiatrist from Yale with a network that will make your jaw drop. I don’t think it is possible for me to be in better hands.

Thank you Dr. Kron. May your kind multiply.
Jesse F. ~Oakland, Ca. September 8, 2016
In all my 35 years I’ve never felt so close to any of my doctors until Dr Kron. He is an amazing person and highly recommended from my family.
dc ~oakland, ca. June 14, 2016
after 20 years of trial and partial intermittent success with medical add-inattentive intervention, when nothing was working anymore, I found dr Kron and after extensive review and trial and error have had a working stable regimen that has allowed me to achieve great success for several years. he’s great to talk to if you are interested in being treated as a collaborative researcher towards your own success, reacting with excitement instead of condescension when you add useful information.
Erik M. ~Alameda, Ca. May 22, 2016
Michael Kron is by far the best psychiatrist I have ever worked with, and the only one worthy of the title “psychopharmacologist.”

I suffer from Major Depression with comorbid Anxiety, Delayed Sleep Phase, and general fatigue.
He is the first mental health professional in my 25 years of visiting them to test me and diagnose for Adult ADD, and the meds he prescribed for that condition put me closer to remission from all of my symptoms than I have been in almost 20 years.

If you can get an appointment with him, and have the financial resources (he does not process insurance papers, but you can submit his bill to your insurance company for partial reimbursement), there is no other like him.

Prior to my first visit, he sent me a number of questionnaires to fill out, all of which were examined in painstaking detail during the first 5 hour visit. That’s right: 5 hours. First time in my life a psychiatrist has spent more than 30 minutes with me.

Don’t settle for half-a$$ed treatment for the most important organ in your body.
Colin D. ~Dos Palos, CA October 9, 2015
DR KRON FOR PRESIDENT!!

Dr. Kron is not only my Psychiatrist but also my friend. I could not ask for anything more. I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was 5 years old, but did not decide to attack it until age 17. Luckily that was and still is with Dr. Kron. He is not only the most brilliant Psychiatrist there is within ADHD but he is a person who will stick with you and willing to help in any way he can. He is dedicated to whatever it is he helps you with. Ive been to other Psychiatrists briefly before I found Dr. Kron, but they all were like sitting in front of a wooden stick compared to Dr. Kron. I would not be where I am without him. My ADHD is very much under control and Through the years with him I was able to gain a career that I am passionate about. His brilliance is invaluable. He is straight forward and gets to the point. In my case I found that Dr. Kron knows what someone with ADHD needs, and also knows how to talk and deal with it. I find ADHd to be a really complicated thing to attack, Other psychiatrists refuse to treat adult ADHd and their reasoning behind it is that ADHD isn’t the problem, or isn’t real. Ive been treated for things other than ADHD with those mediocre psychiatrists and I would get nowhere with relief of my symptoms. When I came to Dr. Kron he assured me that ADHD is real and that we are going to treat it how it needs to be treated.. Through the years of being treated under Dr. Kron he has helped me become the best person I can be. HIs guidance and knowledge of who I am is what makes me deem Dr. Kron the greatest psychiatrist I could’ve found… Now, I look forward and am excited to see Dr. Kron when my appointment comes around, I act like myself, am not afraid to tell him anything, and in return he acts the same. When I walk out of Dr. Krons office not only am I thankful for him existing as a doctor, but I am smiling and confident about who I am. When you wish you could hang out with your psychiatrist outside of appointments, you know you have found a good person. I try to describe him to other people and its impossible, there is not enough words to say how good he is as a doctor, nor enough to explain what a great person he is.. I will go as far as thanking Dr. Krons parents for bringing such a talented kind person that’s help is extremely effective into this world.. I can keep going to Yelps limits for how many characters you can type in a review…
Joy K. ~Redondo Beach, Ca. September 29, 2015
Dr.Kron is the best Psychiatrist hands down. I moved down to LA a few years ago and he was able to print all my files about me out to give to the new Doctor that I will be seeing. He has made my life more bearable with ADHD. It took me awhile to write this review but please go to this doctor. He will help you and not make you feel bad for feeling what you do. So if you are looking for the last hope here it is people. Smack right in front of your face. Trust the reviews. People don’t take the time to write good reviews for good doctor. I hope this helps with whatever you are going thru. Patience, time and seeing this doctor will help you thru. Just trust.
Qazi T. ~Berkeley, Ca. September 15, 2015
I have travelled to several countries; seen and came to know many peoples; but till today, I have never come across a professional doctor like Dr. Michael J Kron, MD. He is not only professionally skilled, he is courteous, amicable in interactions, friendly in gestures, always looking for ways to help the patients, patient, knowledgeable, always keeps abreast of the new findings and developments in his professional arena, and above all he is a thorough gentleman. I wish we had more such professional individuals in the important areas of medicine and related field (and of course all other fields).
Kelly P. ~Berkeley, Ca. August 15, 2015
I saw Dr. Kron eight years ago, back when he was at Kaiser. It was the first time I had ever seen a psychiatrist who listened to me. I’m not exaggerating; I had one doctor answer a phone call and give detailed information on the treatment of a juvenile patient right in front of me; I’ve had others scoff at me, or look at me blankly. Although I’d taken an antidepressant in my teens that worked wonders, no new doctor would give it to me, and I was on a plethora of meds with nasty side effects and no significant improvement. Dr. Kron didn’t waste time; he got me back on the right medication and it has been a lifesaver all these years later. He’s very perceptive and candid, and funny as well. Mostly, though, he is very kind, an invaluable quality in a mental health provider.
Kim A. ~Pleasant Hill, Ca. May 15, 2015
Wow! Where do I start?! Dr. Kron is incredibly smart, well-informed, interesting and interested. He is funny with a quick wit and good sense of humor. He is super multi-fascinated and uber talented, with a background in psychiatry, neurology and pharmacology. He is very focused on his patients but if you can get him to tell you a little about himself, he is one of these doctors/people who is obviously highly intelligent that you get the feeling could master anything, and probably has a photographic memory (I hated those people in school! LOL). He is incredibly caring and is very much a protective advocate for his patients. I feel like I have someone in my corner who truly cares about the outcome of my treatment, hearing how it is going along the way and seeing me get better. On top of that, he is super responsive and communicative, returning phone calls, emails, etc. very promptly. He is truly kind and really gives a d___ about his patients! I have never met anyone like him as a person and certainly no psychiatrist like him… and I have been to more than I care to admit. He is simply awesome!
Iris G. ~Walnut Creek, Ca. May 11, 2015
I wrote a review for Dr Kron years ago and since then, I’ve unfortunately have had the universe dump numerous physical as well as emotional bombs on my family and myself. I felt it was tIme to refresh my review about the good doctor.
Dr. Kron not only has a deep understanding of psychiatric issues & medication but, he considers aspects that other psychiatrists miss such as thyroid, hormones, diabetes. through & through he’s a Biology Whiz. It’s what he eats for breakfast-lunch-dinner
Full Disclosure: I’m NOT an easy patient to diagnose. In addition to what people generally see Psychiatrists for, I have a chronic immune disorder, Fibromyalgia, and chronic pain. As if that were not enough, I flitter about in foreign countries and run out of my medications. Yep, the good doctor talked me off the ledge and helped me resolve that crisis. HE’s THAT good!
If you’re seeking a knowledgable diagnostician, look no further. At times, I’m not clear how he keeps up with my boo-hoo regarding every medication I try. I suppose keeping meticulous records helps in addition to being a brainiac as well as a compassionate doctor. Don’t tell him I said so, it might go to his head.
Most recently, I advised him that I wanted to stop taking a medication that after 12 years, I was certain not effective for me any longer. After having the what/why/when chat, he appeared satisfied with my decision and respectfully set about figuring a plan to support me through the process. That dear friends makes for a great psychiatrist and humanitarian.
What makes his office buzz with efficiency and good karma is Nan, his Senior Office manager. She’s prompt with call.-backs, current on medicine changes/dos She’s THE BOMB!
What I’m trying to say is that the Dr Kron is passionate about his patients and goes the extra mile and so it stands to reason that Nan, his super-hero assistant keeps the balls up in the air with flare!
I just wish he didn’t work so hard, we will need him for the long haul
Pace yourself Dr Kron!
Yibo Z. ~University City, San Diego, Ca. February 11, 2015
Dr. Kron is a doctor who is TRULY devoted to help people get better and feel better! Me and my husband had a week long fight and we are thinking about divorce. Then, he called Dr. Kron and told him its an emergency. We got an appointment the next day. He spent one hour on the phone with us and then four hours in person on the same day evening. Can you Image a popular psychiatrist spends five hours talking with you when you are having a crisis? And he charged us a rate that’s not even fair to him as a psychiatrist because he didn’t want to increase our financial burden. (I’m unemployed and going to need therapy help.) Overall, he is the best. Lucky to have him!
Brandon Z. ~Lafayette, Ca. October 27, 2014
I have just started working with Dr. Kron and he is by far the best psychiatrist I know of. He takes time to listen and care, at my first appointment he spent an extra 45 minutes just conversing and getting to know me and attempting to help me out on my career path as a college student. He is extremely able at his profession, and does it out of a passion for dealing with patients, making you feel comfortable and connected to him.
Mary C. ~Clayton, Ca. July 2, 2014
Dr. Kron is wonderful! He has helped my husband a great deal.
Dr. Kron really knows what he’s doing, is a good listener and really CARES. That’s not easy to find.
Thank you Dr. Kron and Nann (his assistant). 🙂
Ruth Ann L. ~Oakland, Ca. March 17, 2014
Mike Kron, the super star. It is with bitter sweet emotions that we leave this review. My son has been seeing Mike for the last 2-1/2 years. Now that he’s totally off meds, and doing great, don’t need to see Mike any more. It is under Mike’s guidance and expert prescriptions that transformed a troubled teen into a successful young man. My son graduated high school with a 2.5 GPA, now with 1 more semester to go in a very challenging top art school, he’s maintaining a 3.9 GPA. No more depression or paranoia and able to realize emotions when they arise and know how to cope. Not so long ago, Mike said “I hope to be a distant and pleasant memory for you”; we didn’t realize that it would be so soon. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Evan D. ~San Francisco, Ca. February 18, 2014
As a health care professional myself, I don’t take Doctor’s credentials and reviews as proof of their skill or knowledge. I like to decide that myself. And let me tell you… I have encountered PLENTY of thoroughly unqualified practitioners in the most unlikely and unexpected places:
– On staff at top notch hospitals.
– Marching authoritatively through sleek, professional, expensively done offices in a perfectly starched, pristine white coats.
– Running intimate, successful private practices, in affluent and discerning communities.
There are a lot of things that make a Doctor successful, and ability to actually heal is not high on that list. It’s just the way it is. Subsequently, it was not surprising that I had been attempting to find a solution to my depression and overall despondency for quite some time. I had been to several different, “qualified” specialists over the course of roughly 15 years, and was really beginning to think that I was going to be one of those people that battles inner demons for their entire life… only finding peace and well being by exiting this mortal coil. Usually prematurely and by their own doing.

We all know where this is going. Dr. Kron takes a very long time during the first meeting. That is also something I do with my patients. Very few practitioners do this these days. Patients in general do not want to be there. And time inside any business, medical offices not exempt, is money. However, what separates a good Doctor from the alternative is quite simply: Diagnosis. Making the diagnosis is akin to cracking the code! Once you understand what is wrong with a person, the rest is almost trial, error, and protocol. But the difficulty lies in not only taking the time, but also, as I said, being good at what you do. Being able to soak in all of this information. Weed out what is important, and what is not. Pay attention to body language and posture. Learn from the past Doctor’s mistakes. And finally, take all of this and process it using the vast ocean of knowledge you have amassed through both study and experience, and find the missing link. And this is all what transpired on my first visit with Dr. Kron.

He is extremely well trained, but more importantly it is obvious that he is a dynamic entity. Constantly learning and adapting his previous beliefs. Not afraid to go where other’s haven’t. He is completely down to earth and candid. He will put you at complete and total ease from the moment you shake hands. And he will most likely have you part ways in a vastly superior state of mind and hope than when your encounter first begun.

He doesn’t take insurance, but you are honestly not going to find someone this good on your plan. When it comes to things like mental health, insurance’s take is very nuts and bolts. Basically: “Either your depressed, addicted, or psychotic. Go to a program.” The pay for their mental health care practitioners is a joke. And the way most systems are networked and constructed will not allow you to thoroughly explore the possibilities of ailments or treatments.

This guy really knows what he is doing and to boot, HE REALLY GENUINELY CARES! He goes the extra mile at every opportunity. I was seriously lucky that I found him and I must admit, the Yelp reviews that I had read were a big part of that. So I didn’t mean to say that reviews are meaningless. It’s just that they don’t ALWAYS pay off. This one most certainly did.
Jason W. ~Walnut Creek, Ca. February 4, 2014
I started seeing Dr. Kron about 6 weeks ago, and this review is long overdue already. I’m 29 and just realized I have most of the symptoms of ADHD, and these have been a major hindrance in my life. So after reading about treatment of ADHD, I was cautiously optimistic. I really lucked out when I found Dr. Kron though because I seriously doubt there could be anybody better. He saw me for about 3 hours on my first visit, and really got a detailed picture of my life and my symptoms. After diagnosing me with severe ADHD, he got me medications for cheap and one even completely free through the company that makes them. The one that I get for free has really started to change me for the better. I just went back to see Dr. Kron yesterday and was re-evaluated. Almost every single one of my symptoms has been curbed. It’s amazing to be in a conversation with someone and not be distracted with some other thought now! I can wake up in the morning and do the things that need to be done, instead of feeling so lethargic and anhedonic.

I still have a ways to go and hope to continue to make great progress. There’s so much more that can be said about Dr. Kron. He’s probably not for everybody, and I can see why he either has one star reviews or 5 star reviews. You wouldn’t guess he’s an Ivy League educated doctor if you met him on the street, because he’s just a cool guy. He takes the time to see the big picture and actually cares about making a positive difference in others’ lives and isn’t all about the money like I’m sure some doctors are. As long as Dr. Kron is in practice here in the East Bay, I probably won’t move anywhere else, that’s how good of a doctor he is.