Online GAB Instructor Training offers in-depth training for those who want to earn extra income by teaching Guided Autobiography courses. The distance-learning format through the Internet makes live instructor training available to individuals all over the world. 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 own communities.

What is Guided Autobiography?

Guided Autobiography (GAB) is a method for helping people document their life stories. Guided by a trained instructor, participants are led through themes and priming questions that evoke memories of events once known but filed away and seemingly forgotten. Each participant writes a story on a particular theme each week, brings the story to class and reads it to a small group of receptive classmates. Writing and sharing life stories with others is an ideal way to find new meaning in life and to put life events into perspective. While connecting with one another on their journeys of self-discovery, participants feel enlivened by the group experience and gain a greater appreciation of their own lives and of the lives of others. GAB can be a powerful catalyst for improved self-esteem, self-confidence and communication within communities and within families.

What will be covered

• You’ll receive in-depth training on how to conduct your own Guided Autobiography courses. Each class session is 2 hours in length plus ten 1 hour recorded sessions, providing you with a total of 26 hours of advanced instruction and group experience.

• Throughout the program, you will learn by doing. You’ll write a two-page life story on a given theme each week and you’ll read your story out loud to your classmates online.

Upon finishing the GAB Instructor Training Program, you’ll receive a certificate of completion.

New GAB Instructor Training Courses Forming

Can you envision teaching Guided Autobiography in your community or online? Perhaps you want to incorporate the GAB program into your personal practice. Two GAB Instructor training sessions will begin in September 2023.

Spring 2024 Training:

Wednesdays

This eight-week training session will be taught by Instructor Trainers Sheri Kohlmann and Heidi Thorsen. The training begins with and a one hour information meeting on Wednesday April 3, 2024, at 10 am to 11 am Pacific Time. The eight-week training sessions will begin on April 10 and continue until May 29, 10 am to 12:30 pm Pacific Time.  The May 29th session will last 3 hours for Final Presentations. In addition, Dr. Svensson will hold a virtual OFFICE HOUR every other week. You will learn a deeper understanding of the GAB process and research background.  She will also answer questions. Time TBD. There are homework assignments each week, plus 1 hour biweekly Office Hour - TBD $550.00 per person. Space is Limited

REGISTER here sheri@morethanwordsinc.com  

Your Instructors

Cheryl Svensson, Ph.D. is an experienced GAB instructor who worked directly with James Birren for many years. Cheryl has taught college courses in the Autobiographical Studies Program at the University of Southern California’s (USC) School of Gerontology. After the training you’ll be well-qualified to teach the proven GAB method that is recognized throughout the world. Contact her for more information:  cheryl.svensson@gmail.com or 949.413.8704

Heidi Thorsen, M.Ed., is a Birren Center GAB Instructor Trainer who has a lifetime career in education.  As an Educator, Heidi has taught elementary through adult education over the span of 40 years. She has worked extensively in curriculum development, administration, and classroom engagement. Heidi transitioned to teaching GAB classes in 2015 and has taught GAB classes in her home, online, 1-week workshops, and Internationally. To learn more about Heidi, visit her website at www.tyememoirs.com. Contact her for more information: tyememoirwriting@gmail.com or 360.621.3542.

Sheri Kohlmann formed her company, More Than Words, Inc. after being inspired by her own family’s legacy and by the clients she met while working at a Southern California estate planning law firm. She has served as a Director for an international nonprofit organization and strategized with churches in the area of generosity. Sheri became a GAB Facilitator in 2010 and has led hundreds through the process. To learn more about Sheri, visit her website at www.morethanwordsinc.com.  You may contact her for more information at sheri@morethanwordsinc.com or at 714.420.5092.

Leigh Morrow, a Birren Center GAB Instructor Trainer,  has worked three decades in broadcast journalism reporting  from her home in Canada and from around the globe. As an award winning investigative journalist in both Television and Radio, she learned the art of telling people’s stories. Now as a GAB Instructor she is a natural guide to help students tell their own stories, and as a mentor for those wishing to become instructors. Leigh teaches Gab 1 and has created a curriculum for GAB 2 and GAB 3 for  students who wish to continue writing their narratives. She also offers special workshops on The Art of the Micro- Memoir, and Publishing Your Life Story.

 You can find out more about Leigh a www.thestoryguides.com She can be reached at morrowreports@shaw.ca

Online Instruction

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 a user-friendly, interactive website. You will simply log onto the website at the appointed time, enter your assigned pin number and you’ll instantly be in class. In the interactive program you’ll be able to ask questions while engaging with the instructor and other students. The class sizes are limited so be sure to sign up early.

Technical Requirements

In order for you to see and hear the instructors and other students, and for them to be able to see and hear you, you will need a few tools.

• Internet Access: You’ll need a computer with Internet access.

• Computer: With a built-in microphone.

• Webcam: Finally, you’ll need a webcam, built-in or external.

What is included with the training?

• You’ll participate in a comprehensive program comprising 26 hours of instruction.

• You’ll receive all of the teaching materials used during the 8 sessions of training to be used for teaching your own GAB courses.

• In addition to the online class time, you’re free to email the instructor with any questions that may arise in between sessions.

• After you complete your training, the Birren Center 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.

What is the cost of the Program?

Our goal is to train instructors so that Guided Autobiography can be made available to as many people as possible. Through our growing network of highly trained GAB instructors, thousands worldwide 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 $550.

Payments may be made safely with a credit or debit card through our secure PayPal service, the largest and most reliable online payment center in the world.

Next Courses

Training classes are ongoing.  Please contact cheryl.svensson@gmail.com for new class offerings.