She studied at the Vienna Academy of Music with Alfred Uhl and Erwin Ratz for composition and Dieter Kaufmann and Friedrich Cerha for electronic music She also studied with Finn Mortensen in Oslo receiving her degree in composition from the Norwegian Academy of Music in 1976.
From 1977-1986 she worked as editor of the contemporary music periodical Ballade, and wrote as a music critic for Arbeiderbladet. In 1993 Skouen became the music director for Norwegian Broadcasting"s cultural channel, and in 1999 was named Head of Culture. In 2002 she served as President of the Society of Norwegian Composers.
Skouen worked as a member of the experimental music theatre group "Die Fremden" in Vienna.