Mia Ocean PhD, LSCSW (KS), LCSW (FL), LMFT (FL)

Academic Interests and Expertise

• Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology and Social Work (Boston University 2015)                            
• Certificate in Massage Therapy (Florida State College at Jacksonville, 2006) 
• Master of Social Work, Interpersonal and Mental Health Concentrations (University of Michigan, 2002)  
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (University of West Florida, 2000)  
• Associate of Arts in Psychology (Palm Beach Community College, 1998)  

• Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker, State of Kansas #06497
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker, State of Florida SW 8139
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, State of Florida MT 2431

Publications

• Ocean, M. (2024). The potential of humor to joyously dismantle ableism+: Considerations for social workers. Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare, 51(1), Article 6. https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.4720  
• Ocean, M., & Gordon, D. A. (2024). The benefit, harm and complication of humor in social work: A qualitative inquiry. Journal of Social Work, 24(4), 488-510. https://doi.org/10.1177/14680173241240977  
• Ocean, M. & Stoupas, G. (2020). Exploring the concept of honesty with transgender clients in recovery from addiction. In J. S. Whitman & C. J. Boyd (Eds.), The therapist’s notebook for sexual and gender identity diverse clients (pp. 455-463). Harrington Park Press.   
• Stoupas, G. & Ocean, M. (2020). LGB addiction recovery and community membership. In J. S. Whitman & C. J. Boyd (Eds.), The therapist’s notebook for sexual and gender identity diverse clients (pp. 480-490). Harrington Park Press.   

• Ocean, M. (forthcoming, 2026, March). Humor as a tool for cohesion and a weapon for division: Lessons for public health practitioners. Kansas Governor’s Public Health Conference, Wichita, KS.  
• Ocean, M., Warren Glenn, L., Huger-Burton, T., & Kiki. (2025, October). Anti-Oppressive community-engaged research following the principles of disability justice. Council for Social Work Education Annual Meeting, Denver, CO.  
• Ocean, M. (2025, February). The ethical use of humor in social work. POWER Pre-Conference.  Wichita, KS.  

Clinical Experience

• Post-Master Registered Intern Clinical Supervisor – Independent Contractor (2012-present)  
• Tenured Faculty Counselor – Broward College (2006-2013)   
• Counselor – University of North Florida (2005-2006)   
• Social Worker – Tenet Healthcare Facilities (2005)

Grants

• Principal Investigator. (2025-2026). Systematically Funny: An Evidence-Based Humor Training for Social Workers. Wichita State University, Hope Seed Grant $9,995 (funded). 
• Co-Principal Investigator/Director (all Co-PIs). (2025-2026). Maximizing Government-Community Partnerships to Expand the Kansas Social Work Pipeline. Wichita State University, State of Kansas Applied Learning Funds $150,000 (funded).