Guided Autobiography

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Guided Autobiography is a carefully designed and well-tested method for helping people document and share life stories. While it can lead to a final manuscript for a book or other legacy project, Guided Autobiography is more about the process; it’s about remembering, reflecting, sharing and discovering what our stories have to tell us. It quite simply is an amazing personal experience.
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Originally created in the mid 1970s by James Birren, the founding dean of the Davis School of Gerontology at the University of Southern California, Guided Autobiography creates a rich opportunity for people to reflect, discover, explore and connect. People who have been through the process find it to be a powerful catalyst for improved self-esteem, self-confidence, and communication within communities and within families.
The process involves focusing on a different theme each session. We look at experiences like major turning points, family, health, work, even death — and tackle exercises and questions that will help spark your creativity, self-awareness and memories. For each session you’ll be asked to write a two-page story on a particular theme and then share it with the other participants (you’re only asked to share what you’re comfortable sharing).
 
Throughout the workshop your writing will improve but this is not a typical writing class and no experience is necessary.

If you are interested in signing up for a workshop or session or would like more information, please email Christie Simmons at [email protected].

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