Guided Autobiography Instructor Training
In coordination with The Birren Center, online Guided Autobiography (GAB) Instructor Training offers in-depth training for those who want to incorporate the GAB method into their professional practice or earn extra income by teaching Guided Autobiography courses. The online live instructor training is available to individuals worldwide, and over 600+ certified instructors in 32 countries have completed the course. Participants write and share their own two-page life stories on GAB themes throughout the 8-week program while learning how to develop, schedule, publicize, and run GAB groups within their communities.
Each class session is 2 hours long, plus a one-hour pre-recorded session, providing 24 hours of advanced instruction and group experience. The course also offers the opportunity to interact with Dr Cheryl Svensson, the Guided Autobiography Director of the Birren Center.
Upon finishing the GAB Instructor Training Program, you’ll receive a certificate of completion from The Birren Center for Autobiographical Studies.
Can you envision teaching Guided Autobiography in your community? Perhaps you want to incorporate the GAB program into your personal practice. These classes fill up quickly and space is limited ( 12) to ensure a personalized experience and a small group setting for maximum learning. Register below for the next Instructor Training Session.
KIND WORDS
“A lively and engaging instruction manner. Personal connection with the students. Kind thoughtful comments on work submitted.” - Simon B.
Leigh Morrow
Leigh Morrow
Eight Sessions
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Eight Themes
Each week we will explore a different theme such as Family or Branching Points which will prepare you for teaching your own classes.
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Writing
Each week you will write 800-1,000 words on the selected theme. These personal stories of your most treasured memories may form the start of your own memoir or legacy letter.
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Sharing
Each week students will share their stories. This is the secret sauce of Guided Autobiography and demonstrates the power of story.
Making Sense of Our Lives Through the Power and Practice of Story
The curriculum I teach is based on the Guided Autobiography (GAB) method of documenting life stories as researched and developed by Dr. James Birren. Dr. Birren was the founding dean of the Davis School of Gerontology at the University of Southern California (USC). Over the ensuing years, he wrote three books on GAB and conducted numerous research projects into the impact of GAB, all the while traveling worldwide to present and expand GAB. Dr.Birren’s strong focus on life review and reminiscence emerged in educational and research activities to explore issues shaping adult development. The approach was powerful and the therapeutic results substantial as Birren documented in many research studies that he embarked on. GAB now 55 years young has evolved and is incorporated in many walks of life from holocaust survivors, prison inmates, hospice and end-of-life care workers, survivors of violence, adoptive families, and nursing home residents just to name a few. Gab has evolved into a dynamic, flexible format used in lifelong learning, in counselling, psychotherapy and, recording legacy life stories. GAB is taught in several languages.
The following is a link to a short autobiography about Dr. James E. Birren.
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“Tell the story of the mountain you climbed. Your words could become a page in some else’s survival guide.”
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Want to chat?
Im happy to answer any questions you may still have about my courses or my decoupage store. Please feel free to reach out!
FAQs
Is there a Prerequisite?
Currently there is no prerequisite. Our goal is to train instructors so that Guided Autobiography can be made available to as many people around the world as possible. Through our growing network of highly trained GAB instructors, thousands of people globally, have experienced the power of writing and sharing their life stories. The tuition for the 8 session Guided Autobiography Instructor Training Program has been set at $600. (US currency) plus any fees for transactions currently $21.00 (US currency)
Payments may be made safely with a credit or debit card through our secure payment system through SQUARE.
It is not required that you take a Guided Autobiography course before becoming an instructor, however, it is helpful.
What is the format of the training?
The program is provided entirely online, so you will be completing it in the comfort of your own home. Classes will be instructed live through zoom. You do not need to have a zoom account to attend the training. If you need technical support that can be arranged prior to attending the first class.
The class sizes are limited so be sure to sign up early.
What does the training Provide me?
You’ll participate in a comprehensive program comprising of 24 hours of instruction by Leigh Morrow an experienced Guided Autobiography Trainer and Facilitator.
You will receive all of the teaching materials used during the 8 sessions of training to be used for teaching your own GAB courses.
You will also benefit from the prerecorded 8 hour lectures by Dr Cheryl Svensson, the President and founder of The Birren Center. Dr Svensson also offers a bi-weekly online office hour where you can discuss your progress.
In addition to the online class time, you’re free to email Leigh with any questions that may arise in between sessions.
After you complete your training, the Birren Center and trainer Leigh Morrow will continue to provide support as you launch your own GAB course. This is a valuable resource that is not usually available with most training courses.
Your training will culminate in a certificate that awards you the legal rights to teach Guided Autobiography through the Birren Method. Your certification also includes access to the Birren Forum, navigation on The Birren site to announce your future classes, and opportunities for adding new programs such as Life Portfolio for your future students.