Telling the Stories of Life through
Guided Autobiography Groups by
Kathryn N. Cochran
The Ticket To Success For Guided Autobiography Groups
Telling the Stories of Life through Guided Autobiography Groups, based on
James Birrens 25 years of conducting autobiography groups, discusses all
the topics an organizer faces while developing a program for adults who
want to recall and write down their life histories. This book is ideal for adult
education programs, church groups, social workers, psychologists,
gerontologists, and others who work with adults who might be interested in
exploring, recording, or sharing their personal histories. It helps
professionals and trained workshop leaders at community centers, senior
centers, schools and other settings guide group participants in exploring
major themes of their lives so that they can organize and write their stories
and share them in a group with others on the same journey. This exercise
is rewarding for adults of any age in a period of transition or with interest in
gaining insight from their own stories. Personal development and a feeling
of connection to other participants and their stories is a natural outcome of

this process. This book provides background material and detailed lesson
plans for those who wish to develop and lead an autobiography group.
The authors explain the concept of guided autobiography, discuss the
benefits to the group participants, and provide logistical information on how
to plan, organize, and set up a group. An appendix provides exercises,
handouts, and suggested adaptations for specific groups. The book also
explains a systematic method of priming memories, including the history of
family and of ones life work, the role of money, health and the body, and
ideas about death.
At a time when rapid change has created a widespread yearning to write
down and exchange personal accounts, sharing life stories can reveal a
great deal about how we have come to be the persons we are. Telling the
Stories of Life through Guided Autobiography Groups shows how to
organize, record, and share life experiences through a proven and
effective technique.
Personal Review: Telling the Stories of Life through Guided
Autobiography Groups by Kathryn N. Cochran
September 8, 2001
Book Review by Cheryl SvenssonTelling the Stories of Life Through
Guided Autobiography Groups
James E. Birren and Kathryn Cochran I have led Guided
Autobiography groups using, Telling the Stories of Life Through Guided
Autobiography Groups, as my guide. The manual has proven to be the
ticket to success!.
Guided Autobiography is an ordered, logical process of sequential
steps that assist in writing one's life story. Each of the ten week sessions
focuses on a theme that explores the important aspects of life and
provides sensitizing questions as a guide to uncover the true life story. The
purpose is an exploration of one's own life in a meaningful way that is
self-enriching and can also be left as a legacy for family members. The
group process supports this end and provides the security and
encouragement for self-exploration.
James Birren and Kathryn Cochran have provided guidelines to lead
groups from the initial steps of recruiting group members to the final wrap-
up session and saying good bye. Complete lesson plans are included that
cover every feature of the weekly session. Each of the ten-week sessions
includes a specific checklist, e.g., reminders to bring name tags, roster
sheet, paper, pens, etc. to ensure success. The sensitzing questions, one
of the keys to the Guided Autobiography process, are

included for each life theme. Furthermore, there are additional
suggestions and techniques for each session to stimulate creative writing
skills, use of metaphor, and prompts to prime memories among others.
Having the training manual when running Guided Autobiography
groups is like having a professional pack your suitcase when you embark
on an extended ten week journey; nothing has been forgotten, the proper
clothes for each occasion and all weather conditions have been
anticipated, everything is mixed and matched perfectly, and all that's left is
for you to enjoy the trip.
Telling the Stories of Life Through Guided Autobiography Groups
does all that and more. Having the training manual frees you to fully
engage yourself in the exciting Guided Autobiography process and grow
along with your fellow travelers.
For More 5 Star Customer Reviews and Lowest Price:
Telling the Stories of Life through Guided Autobiography Groups by Kathryn N.
Cochran 5 Star Customer Reviews and Lowest Price!