Bethani Cogburn

University of North Carolina at Charlotte - Doctoral Candidate in Counselor Education & Supervision, Quantitative Analysis Certificate, Doctoral Student in Counselor Education & Supervision, Post-Master’s Certificate in School Counseling, Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Belmont Abbey College - Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Nature-Based Transpersonal Counseling Concentration

Assessment in Nature-Based Transpersonal Counseling (Fall 2023), Professional Orientation & Career Counseling (Fall 2023) with Heather Bair

Bethani spent her childhood exploring the woods, climbing trees, and leading the neighbors on adventures. In her teens, she began working as a camp counselor every summer for seven weeks at a Girl Scout resident summer camp in the Appalachian mountains. As a first generation college student, Bethani attended Belmont Abbey College, earning a bachelor’s in sociology. She attended Charlotte for her master’s in clinical mental health counseling and post-master’s certificate in school counseling. She worked for six years as a school counselor, primarily at the secondary level in urban environments. In her work, she aims to lead with authenticity and empower all students to achieve their goals; she utilizes creative techniques and natural resources in her work. At one of her schools, she led mindfulness, yoga, camping, and backpacking trips with secondary school students. In her time as a clinician, she worked to provide creative strategies for regulation and processing for her adolescent and adult clients. Now, finishing her dissertation focused on ecowellness, she’s excited to complete her Phd in Counselor Education, equipped with tools related to supervision, teaching, and research. Once finished, she aims to collaborate with students and faculty at Naropa to produce research publications that reflect the many strengths of the university. She’s excited to join Naropa University and support the continued development of the Nature-Based Transpersonal Counseling program.

• Cogburn, B. & Saunders, R. (2018, March). Supporting your LGBTQ students: How to successfully implement a GSA. North Carolina School Counselor Association Newsletter, Spring.
• Cogburn, B. & Galloway, S. (2022). Cultural capital: A contributing factor in the success of high achieving, low income engineering students. International Conference on Urban Education Conference Proceedings, 47-68.
• Cogburn, B., Saunders, R., Galloway, S., & Tempest, B (2023). A preliminary analysis of identity development in the figured worlds of high achieving, low income engineering students. American Society for Engineering Education Conference Proceedings.
• Cogburn, B. & Saunders, R. (2023). Sexual and gender minority student needs in career and college counseling. Chapter in Career & College Counseling with Special Populations. Have received notification that its headed to print.