Our Impact

Group Class Presentation

The Birren Center brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, who are committed to enhancing lives through writing and sharing the Guided Autobiography (GAB) experience. Our program offers opportunities for education, training, research, and information dissemination to those involved in life review, life story writing and sharing, and aging. Since 2009, we've conducted GAB instructor training courses online. To date, we've trained nearly 700 GAB instructors across 32 countries.

GAB Instructors Meeting Coffee Shop

Considering each instructor has facilitated classes in their own cultural context, the GAB process has impacted thousands worldwide. Participants not only write personal life stories but also deepen self-awareness, forge connections with diverse individuals, broaden their understanding of differences, and learn to accept and engage with others unlike themselves. In this manner, GAB fosters connections, transcends diversity, and contributes to healing our divided world.

Truly a life-changing, transformative program.

- Dana

Here's what some GAB participants have to share about their learning and personal growth:

  • My Dad encouraged me to write the family stories. His love of language and command of English in tandem with my Mom's gift for storytelling led me on a circuitous journey to find my own voice. When I discovered the Birren Center and the GAB program, I found that place and the supportive structure to dive deep into memory to recount my life stories and that of the family as I promised my Dad I would do.

    Steven

  • Guided Autobiography has been such a gift to me personally and to all the women I support to write their own stories. I am excited about the growth of GAB and look forward to being involved.

    Helen

  • I feel deeply encouraged and comforted to meet these GAB classmates. I feel grounded and safe connecting with each of you. I feel loved, accepted and celebrated for being just me. I have shared with the class my lifelong secrets holding nothing back. That has been deeply healing and liberating. It is comforting to have the freedom to sort through things with safe people uncensored.

    Annie

  • Thank you, you are right, we all are blessed for making each other's path more interesting and meaningful. My son told me for years to write about this . I used to tell the story to him when he was young, so no one would bully him and torture him, the way my brother did me. If it weren't for you and the class getting me to open up about things they would have stayed locked away. So, as you can see, The spirits sent me to you to unleash these memories.

    Charlie

  • I owe a lifelong debt of gratitude to Jim Birren and Cheryl for introducing me to this powerful healing process which I love to pass on to others.

    Dana

  • I am enjoying reliving the GAB class you taught, picking and choosing the pieces I want to use to shape a class that fits my style and addresses the students’ needs. Twelve people have signed up for my classes—eight in one class and four in another (with two other people who have said they will come. We’ll see). I feel so grateful for the class I took with you and humbled by the students' trust in me. Thank you. It’s very exciting!

    Dawn R.

  • This morning, I led my third session with a small group of 4 of my friends and acquaintances who agreed to be my "learning" class. I find myself marveling at how the GAB class seems to be taking on a life of its own. Perhaps my participants are just unusually receptive, but all I've had to do is create space, encouragement, and a little inspiration, and they are off and running! It's fascinating to hear their stories and delightful to watch them building rapport with each other and listening without judgment or competition. Thanks for helping me catch the vision for GAB. This is an amazing journey!

    Elena

  • "I have to tell you that the spring class changed my life. It’s too long for an email but some of the release I had with both the writing and the feedback has freed me in so many ways. I can’t wait to continue. Thank you so much for offering the classes.”

    Sarah’s student

Join us and discover the power and transformative potential of the GAB process.