James E. Birren is associate director of the UCLA Center on Aging. He is the author of Guiding Autobiography Groups for Older Adults. Kathryn N. Cochran is an independent writer and editor who writes on a range of topics, including personal development, creativity, the family, education, and the arts and sciences. She also conducts guided autobiography workshops using the Birren method of guided autobiography.

Nothing is left to chance in the manual and it is written with a depth of understanding and perception that effectively demonstrates the authors' cumulative practice experience. -- Patricia Higham Ageing and Society This is an inspirational and practical guide on autobiography workshops. Clinical Gerontologist

• Contents: Preface PART I Background and Workshop Organization Chapter 1 The Power of Autobiography Chapter 2 Who Should Do Autobiography? Chapter 3 Qualifications of the Leader Chapter 4 Organizing a Guided Autobiography Group Chapter 5 Small-Group Dynamics PART II Session Plans SESSION 1 The Major Branching Points in Your Life SESSION 2 Your Family SESSION 3 The Role of Money in Your Life SESSION 4 Your Major Life Work or Career SESSION 5 Your Health and Body SESSION 6 Your Sexual Identity SESSION 7 Your Experiences with and Ideas about Death SESSION 8 Your Spiritual Life and Values SESSION 9 Your Goals and Aspirations SESSION 10 Wrapping It Up Appendixes A. Sample Publicity B. Session Handouts C. Creating New Themes D. Adapting Workshop Schedules Annotated Reading List Index

James E. Birren is associate director of the UCLA Center on Aging. He is the author of Guiding Autobiography Groups for Older Adults. Kathryn N. Cochran is an independent writer and editor who writes on a range of topics, including personal development, creativity, the family, education, and the arts and sciences. She also conducts guided autobiography workshops using the Birren method of guided autobiography.

Nothing is left to chance in the manual and it is written with a depth of understanding and perception that effectively demonstrates the authors' cumulative practice experience. -- Patricia Higham Ageing and Society This is an inspirational and practical guide on autobiography workshops. Clinical Gerontologist

• Contents: Preface PART I Background and Workshop Organization Chapter 1 The Power of Autobiography Chapter 2 Who Should Do Autobiography? Chapter 3 Qualifications of the Leader Chapter 4 Organizing a Guided Autobiography Group Chapter 5 Small-Group Dynamics PART II Session Plans SESSION 1 The Major Branching Points in Your Life SESSION 2 Your Family SESSION 3 The Role of Money in Your Life SESSION 4 Your Major Life Work or Career SESSION 5 Your Health and Body SESSION 6 Your Sexual Identity SESSION 7 Your Experiences with and Ideas about Death SESSION 8 Your Spiritual Life and Values SESSION 9 Your Goals and Aspirations SESSION 10 Wrapping It Up Appendixes A. Sample Publicity B. Session Handouts C. Creating New Themes D. Adapting Workshop Schedules Annotated Reading List Index

James E. Birren is associate director of the UCLA Center on Aging. He is the author of Guiding Autobiography Groups for Older Adults. Kathryn N. Cochran is an independent writer and editor who writes on a range of topics, including personal development, creativity, the family, education, and the arts and sciences. She also conducts guided autobiography workshops using the Birren method of guided autobiography.

Nothing is left to chance in the manual and it is written with a depth of understanding and perception that effectively demonstrates the authors' cumulative practice experience. -- Patricia Higham Ageing and Society This is an inspirational and practical guide on autobiography workshops. Clinical Gerontologist

• Contents: Preface PART I Background and Workshop Organization Chapter 1 The Power of Autobiography Chapter 2 Who Should Do Autobiography? Chapter 3 Qualifications of the Leader Chapter 4 Organizing a Guided Autobiography Group Chapter 5 Small-Group Dynamics PART II Session Plans SESSION 1 The Major Branching Points in Your Life SESSION 2 Your Family SESSION 3 The Role of Money in Your Life SESSION 4 Your Major Life Work or Career SESSION 5 Your Health and Body SESSION 6 Your Sexual Identity SESSION 7 Your Experiences with and Ideas about Death SESSION 8 Your Spiritual Life and Values SESSION 9 Your Goals and Aspirations SESSION 10 Wrapping It Up Appendixes A. Sample Publicity B. Session Handouts C. Creating New Themes D. Adapting Workshop Schedules Annotated Reading List Index