Dr. Michael J. Alicea, Ed.D., MSW, MA

Assistant Professor | BSW Director | Past President, NASW–Florida Chapter

Dr. Michael J. Alicea, Ed.D., MSW, MA
Dr. Michael J. Alicea, Ed.D., MSW, MA Assistant Professor | BSW Director | Past President, NASW–Florida Chapter

Biography

Academic and Professional Qualifications

  • Ed.D., Counseling Psychology – Argosy University
  • MSW, Clinical Social Work – Barry University
  • MA, Marriage and Family Therapy – St. Thomas University
  • BA, Psychology - St. Thomas University
  • AA, Psychology - Miami Dade College
  • AS, Criminal Justice – Miami Dade College
  • Certified Law Enforcement Officer (40 years, Miami & Coral Gables Police Department)
  • Former Petty Officer Specialist,  8 years in U.S. Coast Guard Reserve (Gulf War Theater)
  • Faculty appointments at Barry University, University of Miami, Miami Dade College, St. Thomas University, and FIU

  • NASW-FL - First Vice President - 2026 - 2028
  • NASW - Political Endorsement Process Working Group - 2026 - 2028
  • NASW - Political Action for Candidate Election Committee (PACE) Chair - 2026 - 2028
  • NASW-FL - Political Action for Candidate Election Committee (PACE) Chair - 2026 - 2028
  • NASW-FL - Past Chapter President - 2024 - 2026
  • NASW-FL - Elected Chapter President - 2023 - 2024
  • NASW-FL - First Vice President - 2022 - 2023
  • NASW-FL - Recipient of the Social Work Lifetime Achievement Award - 2026
  • NASW-FL/Miami-Dade Unit - Recipient of the Social Work Lifetime Achievement Award - 2026
  • NASW-FL/Miami-Dade Unit - Recipient of the Most Influential Social Worker of Year - 2023
  • NASW-FL/Miami-Dade Unit - Recipient of the Most Influential Social Worker of Year - 2022
  • NASW-FL/Miami-Dade Unit - Recipient of the Social Work Educator of the Year - 2020
  • NASW-FL - First Vice President - 2014 - 2014
  • NASW-FL/Miami-Dade Unit - Unit Chair - 2013 - 2014

Trauma-Informed Clinical Practice

  • Clinical expertise in oncology, bereavement, crisis intervention, and behavioral medicine
  • Medical Social Worker/Case Manager at Baptist Health – groups in prostate cancer, cardiac care, diabetes, and oncology
  • Consultant to community mental health agencies, including Switchboard of Miami and Charter Behavioral IOP
  • Specializing in disaster response, culturally responsive therapy with Latino populations, and PTSD care for veterans and first responders
  • Facilitated court-ordered therapy groups (English/Spanish); delivered trauma-informed home health services
  • Led psychoeducational workshops on suicide prevention, law enforcement stress, infidelity recovery, and abuse trauma

Commitment to Trauma-Informed Education

  • Taught trauma-informed courses and seminars at Barry University, University of Miami, FIU, and Miami Dade College
  • Developed curricula on crisis response, law enforcement trauma, ethics, and cultural competence
  • Integrated trauma frameworks into field instruction, supervision, and classroom pedagogy
  • Delivered instruction in adult education and mental health programs for ALF residents, the elderly, and the chronically mentally ill
  • Designed and evaluated trauma-related training curricula and learning assessments

Publications, Presentations, Research, Awards

  • Reviewer: Social Work Policy Practice (2024), Journal of Family Social Work (2024)
  • Author: Numerous NASW and FAMFT publications on social work ethics, empathy, police suicide, supervision, and professional development
  • Dissertation: Police Suicide: Acuity of Influence (2015)
  • Awards:
    • NASW-FL Social Work Educator of the Year (2023)
    • NASW-FL Most Influential Social Worker of the Year (2022 & 2023)
    • Barry University Adjunct Professor of the Year (2018 & 2019)
    • Barry University Social Work Advisory Council – Faculty Advisor of the Year (2019)
    • Baptist Health System - Social Worker of the Year, Bariatric Unit (2015)
    • Baptist Health System/South Miami Hospital - Medical Social Worker of the Year (2013)
    • Barry University Social Work Advisory Council - Social Work Member of the Year (2019)
    • Barry University School of Social Work Innovative Social Work Professor of the Year (2017 - 2018)
    • Barry University School Advisory Council - Social Work Member of the Year (2015)

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