RESEARCH
Louis’s research program investigates adaptive grieving after the loss of a loved one. He is working toward a better understanding of what it takes for bereaved individuals to regain their emotional and psychological well-being after the death of someone close to them. Louis hopes this knowledge will lead to developing effective clinical treatment methods to be used by professionals involved in grief counseling.
Gamino, L. A., Mowll, J., & Hogan, N. S. (2021). Grief following sudden non-volitional death. In H. L. Servaty-Seib, & H. S. Chapple (Eds.), Handbook of thanatology: The essential body of knowledge for the study of death, dying, and bereavement (3rd Ed.). Association for Death Education and Counseling.
This chapter helps death professionals understand the grieving challenges posed to survivors after their loved ones die in untimely, unintended ways—among the most difficult of bereavement circumstances.
Gamino, L. A., Sewell, K. W., Prosser-Dodds, L., & Hogan, N. S. (2020). Intuitive and instrumental grief: A study of the reliability and validity of the Grief Pattern Inventory. OMEGA—Journal of Death and Dying, 81, 532-550 (first published on-line, July 2018).
Understanding the grieving style of an individual grappling with the loss of a loved one can give clinicians important clues about how to approach the therapeutic conversation and what sort of recommendations and interventions are most likely to have a positive impact.
Ogden, P. E., & Gamino, L. A. (2015). Lessons about dying and death from the classroom of the bedside. Annals of Behavioral Science & Medical Education, 21, 3-5.
Physicians and other health care professionals who work with patients nearing the end of life can benefit from these practice-based insights on how sensitive and compassionate care can be delivered up until the very end of life.
Gamino, L. A. (2015). Counseling strategies for the dying and their loved ones. In C. Juntunen & J. Schwartz (Eds.), Counseling Across the Lifespan, 2nd Ed., (pp. 429-446). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Many counseling textbooks give little, if any, guidance on how to address individuals approaching the end of life. With today’s aging population where many elderly people die slowly from complications of chronic diseases, it is more important than ever that counselors and health care professionals know how to open a sensitive dialogue with patients and their families around issues that arise as death nears.
Gamino, L. A., & Bevins, M. B. (2013). Ethical challenges when counseling clients nearing the end of life. In J. Werth (Ed.), Counseling clients near the end of life: Practical perspectives on fundamental issues (pp. 3-24). New York: Springer Publishing Company.
Teaming with palliative care physician Mike Bevins, Louis addresses some of the ethical challenges faced by doctors and other health professionals who care for patients nearing death, such as assessing the patient’s capacity for medical decision-making, ensuring the patient’s right to personal autonomy, honoring a patient’s advance directives, and respecting cultural diversity among patients and their families.
Gamino, L. A. (2012). Opening the family photo album. In R. A. Neimeyer (Ed.), Techniques of grief therapy: Creative practices for counseling the bereaved (pp. 231-233). New York: Routledge.
In this cameo piece, Louis describes a very helpful clinical maneuver when working with bereaved individuals—inviting them to bring some family or personal photos to the counseling session. Viewing photographs can generate unique insights into the patient’s family structure and personal history.
Gamino, L. A., & Ritter, R. H., Jr. (2012). Death competence: An ethical imperative. Death Studies, 36, 23-40.
In this landmark article, Louis and co-author Hal Ritter explore and extend the concept of “death competence” first introduced in their textbook Ethical Practice in Grief Counseling. Using a case study in which a well-intended but unprepared counselor failed to provide adequate empathy to create a safe therapeutic setting for a grieving widow, Louis explains how clinicians can establish rapport with bereaved patients and facilitate a therapeutic dialogue that sets the stage for healing and recovery.
Gamino, L. A., Sewell, K. W., Hogan, N. S., & Mason, S. L. (2009-2010). Who needs grief counseling? A report from the Scott & White Grief Study. Omega, 60, 199-223.
Based on an empirical study of 69 bereaved individuals, Louis and his research team found that not all bereaved people require grief counseling. In fact, many bereaved individuals find ways to cope without professional intervention. Among those seeking help, reasons for consulting a counselor may vary. Some patients want relief from distressing emotions and personal suffering, others seek guidance on how to grow and adapt to loss of a treasured loved one.
Gamino, L. A. (2009). Mark Rothko: A case study in suicide. In B. Panter (Ed.). Creativity and madness: Psychological studies of art and artists, Vol. 2. Burbank, CA: AIMED.
Mark Rothko was a famous American abstract artist who enjoyed the height of his career in the 1950s and 60s. Despite his notoriety, Rothko suffered from depression and alcoholism. In this biographical review, Louis traces the evolution of Rothko’s art and how it paralleled his battle with personal demons that eventually led to his suicide in 1970.
Gamino, L. A., Sewell, K. W., & Easterling, L. W. (2000). Scott & White Grief Study–Phase II: Toward an adaptive model of grief. Death Studies, 24, 633-660.
In one of his earliest papers from the Scott & White Grief Study, Louis reported on his research investigation of 85 bereaved individuals—verification of factors that pose a risk for complications in grieving and identification of specific behaviors that enhance coping with loss. Elements such as seeing some (unintended) good resulting from a death and taking the opportunity to say goodbye to the dying or deceased loved one led to better adjustment following the death.