GAB Online Instructor Training
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 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.
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 Zoom or Cisco WebEx. You will simply click on the link at the appointed time, 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.
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 or business.
New GAB Instructor Training 2025!
We are excited to announce Guided Autobiography (GAB) instructor training sessions scheduled for 2025. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop your skills as a GAB instructor and join a community of dedicated professionals.
Spring Session 1 Led by Steve Hoover
Introduction Meeting: Tuesday, May 20th, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM Pacific Time.
Training Dates: Tuesdays, from May 27th to July 15th, 2025.
Time: 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM Pacific Time.
Contact: For registration information, please email
Fall Session 2 Led by Heidi Thorsen and Steve Hoover
Introduction Meeting: Tuesday, September 9th, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM Pacific Time.
Training Dates: Tuesdays, from September 16th to November 4th, 2025.
Time: 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM Pacific Time.
Contact: For registration information, please email Heidi Thorsen tyememoirwriting@gmail.com
Fall Session 1 Led by Leigh Morrow and Lily Bengfort
Introduction Meeting: Wednesday, August 27th 2025, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM Pacific Time
Training Dates: Wednesdays, from September 3rd to-October 22nd, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM Pacific Time
Contact: For registration information, please email morrowreports@shaw.ca or lily@mystoryguides.com
Fall Session 3 Led by Leigh Morrow and Lily Bengfort
Introduction Meeting: Wednesday, October 22 2025, from 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM Pacific Time
Training Dates: Wednesdays, from October 29th to-December 17th, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM Pacific Time
Contact: For registration information, please email morrowreports@shaw.ca or lily@mystoryguides.com
Important Information:
Limited Participation: Each session has a limited number of participants. If you are interested in the GAB instructor training, please contact the respective instructors as soon as possible to secure your spot.
Further Questions: If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to contact Cheryl Svensson at cheryl@thebirrencenter.org.
Don't miss this opportunity to develop your Guided Autobiography skills with expert instructors. We look forward to seeing you there!
Your Instructors
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Cheryl Svensson 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
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Heidi Thorsen 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.
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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.
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Steve has been a teacher his entire adult life, having taught every grade level from 3rd through graduate students. Following his retirement as a university professor, Steve worked for the Central Minnesota Council on Aging as the Healthy Aging Coordinator. In this role he created the Central Minnesota Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness. A central focus was his becoming a certified GAB teacher and leading classes through the Whitney Senior Center as well as the Central Minnesota Dementia Community Action Network. His modification of GAB for individuals living with early-stage dementia was shared at national and international conferences and published in The International Journal of Reminiscence and Life Review. In 2023, two of his former students compiled GAB stories from his class participants in Memories and Musing: An Anthology of by Vintage Minnesotans. Steve lives in central Minnesota with his wife and their two dogs.
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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 at www.thestoryguides.com She can be reached at morrowreports@shaw.ca
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Lily Bengfort, a Birren Center GAB Instructor Trainer and instructor since 2019, blends a rich storytelling expertise and business leadership background in her teaching approach. Beginning her radio and newspaper reporting career, Lily mastered the art of connection through storytelling. Her journey then led her into technology entrepreneurship, where she earned recognition as an award-winning CEO.
With a passion for helping others narrate their life stories, Lily guides students through the reflective and expressive journey of Guided Autobiography (GAB). She ensures students find and articulate their unique voices, creating deeply personal and meaningful storytelling experiences. Holding both a BA in English and an MBA, Lily integrates her love for language with strategic insight, making the process of crafting life stories both creative and impactful.
In collaboration with Leigh Morrow, Lily offers students a comprehensive learning experience, from foundational GAB courses to specialized workshops, including "The Art of the Micro-Memoir."
For more information about upcoming courses and workshops, Lily can be reached at lily@mystoryguides.com. You can also find out more about Lily at https://thestoryguides.com
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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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.
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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 $600.
Payments may be made safely with a credit or debit card through our secure payment methods including PayPal, one of the largest and most reliable online payment centers.
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Training classes are ongoing. Class dates and schedules will be posted to the website when offered. Please contact cheryl.svensson@gmail.com for more information.
Online GAB Instructor Training
GAB Workshops
In-person classes