Transformative Storytelling: How GAB Empowers Personal & Professional Growth

From Wednesday, December 11th, at 10.45 AM to Friday, December 13th, at 6.00 PM
Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Whether you're eager to begin writing your life story or a Guided Autobiography (GAB) instructor seeking fresh insights and professional growth, the GAB Summit 2024 offers something for everyone. This three-day FREE event brings together life writers and GAB instructors from around the world to explore, share, and celebrate the transformative power of storytelling.

For Life Writers: Uncover the Power of Your Story

If you've ever wanted to write about your life but didn't know where to start, GAB is a proven method that will guide you through the process. At the summit, you'll hear from experienced GAB instructors as they share their unique approaches to helping students like you discover the meaning and lessons within your personal history.

WHAT IS GAB?

Guided Autobiography (GAB) is a unique method for writing about your life, two-pages at a time, created by gerontologist Dr. Birren and now carried on by Dr. Cheryl Svensson at the Birren Center. There are now over 600 instructors worldwide and when you take a class with any one of them, you'll:

  1. Explore Your Life Journey: Guided Autobiography helps you dive deep into your personal story, acknowledging not only the challenges you’ve faced but also the strength, resilience, and positive experiences that have shaped you. Through thoughtful prompts and structured writing, GAB empowers you to find clarity, meaning, and even healing as you reflect on your past.
  2. Thrive in a Supportive Community: The GAB Summit offers a safe, non-judgmental space where your story is valued and celebrated. There’s no critiquing—just the joy of sharing, being seen, and connecting with others who are also reflecting on their lives. Whether you’ve been writing for years or are just beginning, you’ll leave feeling more confident and inspired.
  3. Connect with a Like-Minded Community:
    One of the most powerful aspects of GAB is the sense of connection it fosters. At the summit, you'll join a community of fellow life writers who share your passion for storytelling and personal reflection. As you listen to others' stories and share your own, you'll forge meaningful connections with individuals who understand the value of reflecting on life's journey. These connections can lead to lasting friendships, support, and inspiration long after the summit ends.

For Instructors and Aspiring Instructors: Elevate Your Impact

For GAB instructors and those interested in becoming one, the summit offers a wealth of professional

 development opportunities – all for FREE. From marketing your classes to exploring new creative techniques and adapting GAB for diverse audiences, you'll gain valuable insights to elevate your teaching and expand your reach.

  1. Learn from the Best: Hear from talented GAB instructors as they share their successful approaches to teaching life writing. Whether it’s using GAB as a form of narrative therapy or helping students build a lasting legacy and everything in between, these speakers will offer practical strategies you can implement in your own classes.
  2. Expand Your Skills and Network: Attend workshops and panel discussions designed specifically for instructors. Explore ways to market and promote your GAB offerings, adapt the method to different contexts, and build thriving student communities. Connect with fellow instructors from around the globe and collaborate on ideas that will help you grow professionally.
  3. Explore New Applications of GAB: Discover how GAB can be used in therapeutic settings, legacy writing, and even professional development. Whether you’re a seasoned instructor or just starting out, you’ll walk away with new tools, strategies, and connections to enhance your teaching.

Why Attend the GAB Summit?

  • Inspiration for Everyone: Whether you’re writing your life story or teaching others to do the same, you’ll be inspired by the stories and insights shared throughout the event.
  • Professional Growth: Instructors can learn how to market their classes, adapt GAB for new audiences, and incorporate creative techniques to make their sessions even more impactful.
  • A Supportive Community: Life writers will thrive in a judgment-free space where their stories are celebrated, while instructors will benefit from networking and collaboration with peers.
  • PLUS IT'S FREE!

Save the Dates: December 11-13, 2024

This is more than just a writing event—it’s a celebration of storytelling, personal growth, and professional

 development. Whether you’re attending to share your story, learn new teaching methods, or simply connect

with a global community of life writers, the GAB Summit has something for you.

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

Register today FOR FREE and be part of this transformative experience. Your story, your growth, your legacy—it all starts here.

NOTE: If you'd like to purchase access to the GAB Summit Video Library, you'll have the opportunity after you fill in your registration form below. Otherwise, you'll receive an email with the link to join our community and participate in the event. (If you wish to purchase the GAB Summit Video Library at a later date, you can still do that.)

About the Host & Organizer

Elizabeth Johnston

The GAB Summit is sponsored by the Birren Centre for Guided Autobiography and hosted & organized by

 Elizabeth Johnston, a certified GAB instructor with extensive experience in running summits. With over three decades of expertise in teaching story, she passionately leads the way in providing platforms for visionary leaders to share their stories, wisdom and expertise to inspire others.

 

 

 

Fill Out the Form Below and Save Your Seat!!

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By submitting this form, you agree to our Disclaimer and Privacy Policy. Your email address and personal information will be used by EventRaptor and the event organizer to communicate with you about this event and products and/or services of a commercial nature. You may opt out of these at any time. To review the organizer's privacy policy or stop receiving their communications, please contact the organizer directly.
Cheryl Svensson & Elizabeth Johnston
Wednesday, 12/11, at 10:45 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Cheryl Svensson & Elizabeth Johnston
Welcome to Day 1
Cheryl Svensson
Wednesday, 12/11, at 11:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Cheryl Svensson
How We Got Here
Steve Hoover
Wednesday, 12/11, at 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Steve Hoover
Guided Autobiography for Seniors Living with Early to Mid-stage Dementia
Alicia Borisonik
Wednesday, 12/11, at 12:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Alicia Borisonik
Adapting Guided Autobiography Across Cultures & Languages
Camila Reimers
Wednesday, 12/11, at 12:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Camila Reimers
Adapting Guided Autobiography Across Cultures & Languages
Jerry Waxler
Wednesday, 12/11, at 1:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Jerry Waxler
Unlocking the Power of Memories: Six Benefits of Storytelling
Teresa Townsend
Wednesday, 12/11, at 1:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Teresa Townsend
The Story Behind the Lens: Harnessing Photos to Spark Memory
Heige Boehm
Wednesday, 12/11, at 2:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Heige Boehm
Panel Discussion: The GAB Experience
Mimi Holmes
Wednesday, 12/11, at 2:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Mimi Holmes
Panel Discussion: The GAB Experience
Mike Oke
Wednesday, 12/11, at 3:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Mike Oke
Building a Profitable Life Story Business: A Proven Model from the UK
Gordon Deyell
Wednesday, 12/11, at 4:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Gordon Deyell
Why Every GAB Instructor Needs a One-Page Website
Emma Fulenwider
Wednesday, 12/11, at 4:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Emma Fulenwider
Turning Your GAB Essays into a Published Memoir
Normala Manap
Wednesday, 12/11, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Normala Manap
Facilitating GAB in Singapore: Opportunities and Challenges
Jing Wang
Wednesday, 12/11, at 5:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Jing Wang
Transformative Storytelling: Empowering Growth and Connection through GAB in Chinese Communities
Cheryl Svensson & Elizabeth Johnston
Wednesday, 12/11, at 6:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Cheryl Svensson & Elizabeth Johnston
Closing Session Day 1
Cheryl Svensson & Elizabeth Johnston
Thursday, 12/12, at 11:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Cheryl Svensson & Elizabeth Johnston
Welcome to Day 2
Michael Williams
Thursday, 12/12, at 11:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Michael Williams
Finding Their Voice: GAB in Retirement and Long-Term Care
Cheryl Carter
Thursday, 12/12, at 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Cheryl Carter
Creating a Safe Place to Write for Your Students
Kimberly Lee
Thursday, 12/12, at 12:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Kimberly Lee
Integrating Guided Autobiography with SoulCollage for Deeper Self-Discovery
Deniz Pamuk
Thursday, 12/12, at 1:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Deniz Pamuk
Using Guided Autobiography to Explore Gerotranscendence in Aging
Elizabeth Johnston
Thursday, 12/12, at 1:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Elizabeth Johnston
Creativity Is A Compass: Finding Your Authentic Path
Flora Brown
Thursday, 12/12, at 2:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Flora Brown
PANEL DISCUSSION: Storytelling for Inclusion: Guided Autobiography in Affinity Groups
Heige Boehm
Thursday, 12/12, at 3:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Heige Boehm
Empowering Voices: Reigniting the Writer Within through GAB
Janet Ferguson
Thursday, 12/12, at 4:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Janet Ferguson
Flavor and Form: Enhancing GAB through Culinary and Bodily Narratives
Louise Rosati
Thursday, 12/12, at 4:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Louise Rosati
Weaving Connections: The Power of Stories in GAB
Cheryl Svensson & Elizabeth Johnston
Thursday, 12/12, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Cheryl Svensson & Elizabeth Johnston
Closing Session Day 2
Cheryl Svensson & Elizabeth Johnston
Friday, 12/13, at 11:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Cheryl Svensson & Elizabeth Johnston
Welcome to Day 3
Mark McNease
Friday, 12/13, at 11:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Mark McNease
Transforming Careers Through Guided Autobiography
Lisa Joworski
Friday, 12/13, at 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Lisa Joworski
Using Digital Storytelling to Ease Transitions to Assisted Living
Beatriz Enriquez
Friday, 12/13, at 12:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Beatriz Enriquez
Expanding the Reach of Guided Autobiography: Sharing Stories Beyond the Circle
Nancy Sharp
Friday, 12/13, at 1:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Nancy Sharp
Reimagining Life’s Possibilities with Guided Autobiography
Heather Knox
Friday, 12/13, at 1:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Heather Knox
Transforming Your Story into a Digital Story
Valerie Perry
Friday, 12/13, at 2:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Valerie Perry
Panel discussion on GAB Anthologies
Sarah White
Friday, 12/13, at 2:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Sarah White
Panel discussion on GAB Anthologies
Sarah White
Friday, 12/13, at 3:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Sarah White
Fill Your Classes: Proven Strategies for GAB Instructors
Lindy Pfeil
Friday, 12/13, at 4:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Lindy Pfeil
Holding Space: The Power of Our Own Stories in GAB Practice
Philip Holden
Friday, 12/13, at 4:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Philip Holden
Re-Storying Lives: GAB with Younger Adults
Cynthia Holloway Kelvin
Friday, 12/13, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Cynthia Holloway Kelvin
Verse of the Self: Using Poetry in Guided Autobiography
Wendy Bancroft
Friday, 12/13, at 5:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Wendy Bancroft
Adapting GAB for Second Generation Holocaust Survivors: A Journey of Sensitivity and Transformation
Cheryl Svensson & Elizabeth Johnston
Friday, 12/13, at 6:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Cheryl Svensson & Elizabeth Johnston
Closing Session Day 3

Fill Out the Form Below and Save Your Seat!!

Outside US/Canada? Make sure you enter + followed by your country code!
By submitting this form, you agree to our Disclaimer and Privacy Policy. Your email address and personal information will be used by EventRaptor and the event organizer to communicate with you about this event and products and/or services of a commercial nature. You may opt out of these at any time. To review the organizer's privacy policy or stop receiving their communications, please contact the organizer directly.
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