Guided Autobiography (GAB) is a method for helping people document their life stories. Guided Autobiography (GAB) has been researched and developed by Dr. James Birren over the past 40 years ago.

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.

REMEMBERING JIM BIRREN