Rebecca B.

Gowen
757-621-7223
rgowe002@odu.edu
http://rebeccagowen.weebly.com
April 2016
Dear Director,
My name is Rebecca B. Gowen. I am interested in future consideration for a school counselor
position for the XYZ Public Schools. I have obtained my Masters of Science in Education;
specialization in School Counseling.
My approach to School Counseling has evolved and developed due to my experiences within the
School Counseling profession. My theoretical orientation is reflective of the Person-centered,
Solution-Focused, and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies. I believe it is imperative to be genuine,
empathic, and possess unconditional positive regard towards all students. I also believe it is
important to focus on solutions and goals; emphasizing the use of different solutions to a
problem. In doing so, a school counselor will be able to emphasize the students strengths and
the use of resources to solve a problem. Finally, I believe a counselor is able to address the
present and underlying concern(s); behavioral, academic, social/personal, and/or emotional;
while also addressing solutions in which can positively influence the concern.
During my time at Old Dominion University, I have been involved with my coursework
requirements, practical experiences, and a Graduate Research Assistantship. The Graduate
Research Assistantship taught me the significance of research; how to develop, collect, and
maintain databases.
As a school counseling intern for Norfolk Public Schools, I have gained a deeper understanding
at high school level. During my high school experience, I received daily opportunities in
assisting students 9th 12th grade with their four year and graduation academic planning. I have
become incredibly familiar with the graduation requirements for the standard, advanced, and
modified diplomas. Additionally, I was able to help students with post-graduation plans and
alternative graduation course completion. Additionally, during my time in the high school, I was
able to develop a 9th grade study skills small group. I worked with four 9th grade males in
developing more positive and appropriate study skills habits, identifying their learning style, and
understanding the correlation of positive study habits and obtaining their career choice.
I have also had the opportunity to create small group discussions for topics associated with
Honesty, Loyalty, Self-esteem, Perseverance, Goal-Setting, Respect, Bullying, and Trust. The
majority of my individual counseling sessions have focused on behavioral, crisis, and
personal/social concerns. As such, I have been able to build rapport with numerous students and
assist them through each experience and concern.

Since January 2016, I have been a Resident in Counseling at The Childrens Hospital of the
Kings Daughters. During my residency, thus far, I have been able to develop the skills necessary
to evaluate and identify many forms of behavioral, developmental, psychological, and/or
social/emotional concern(s) disorders for children or adolescents. Accordingly, in 2013, I was
able to assist the Child Abuse Center in developing their Fellowship Curriculum. During my
experience in the Child Abuse Center, I was able to develop rapport with many professionals in
the field and gain knowledge of child abuse signs, ethical procedures, and community resources.
As a graduate of Norfolk Collegiate, this would be an ideal position in order to give back to the
school by helping the current upper school students achieve academic, career, and
social/emotional success. I believe that my counseling experience at the high school level,
Residency in Counseling, as well as my volunteer experiences have prepared to be a successful,
creative, and flexible school counselor. I believe I have great dedication and passion in the field
of school counseling. Please feel free to call or email me if you have any questions. Thank you
for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Rebecca B. Gowen
Rebecca B. Gowen