Malaina Murphy, LICSW is a compassionate therapist specializing in working with children, teens and adults. With a focus on anxiety, ADHD, school related challenges and personal growth, she is dedicated to helping her clients develop the skills they need to find balance and thrive in their lives.

Malaina takes an eclectic approach drawing from person-centered, goal-driven, cognitive behavioral (CBT) and reality therapy techniques. This flexibility allows her to meet each client where they are tailoring her work to fit individual needs and strengths. She creates a supportive and engaging space where people feel heard, empowered and equipped to navigate life's challenges with greater confidence and purpose.

Malaina has 30+ years of experience working with children and families in schools and agencies.  

Maliana can be reached via email at malaina@higherrhode.com

Kerry Puniello, LMHCA, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate who brings warmth, curiosity, and compassion to her work with individuals and couples. She is passionate about helping clients reconnect with their bodies, inner wisdom, and authentic selves so they can live with greater intention, empowerment, and freedom.

Kerry’s approach is holistic, integrative, and grounded in practicality. She blends relational, body-based, and process-oriented practices with skill development to support meaningful and lasting change. She creates a compassionate, attuned environment where clients feel safe, supported, and deeply seen. Each session is thoughtfully tailored to meet clients where they are and address what feels most important in the moment.

With a focus on energy, consciousness, and self-awareness, Kerry supports clients in accessing their inner knowing, exploring new ways of relating to themselves and others, and cultivating lives that reflect their values and goals.

She works with couples and individuals navigating anxiety, depression, stress, grief, life transitions, low self-esteem, emotional regulation and expression, relational challenges, personal growth, and unconscious patterns.

Kerry holds a Master’s Degree and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Holistic Counseling from Salve Regina University. She is also a Certified Core Energetics Practitioner (CCEP), a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC), and a Registered Yoga Teacher.

Kerry can be reached at kerry@higherrhode.com

Amy Tenenbaum, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker passionate about empowering individuals to create the meaningful and tangible changes they want to see in their lives. Her approach is both personal and practical, utilizing collaborative and client-centered goal setting coupled with clinical techniques to promote holistic wellness.

In her practice, she enjoys using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and narrative therapy to support clients through challenging life circumstances, including personal growth and adjustment, relationships, anxiety, depression, and trauma. Amy also has a special interest in working with individuals who are experiencing disability or chronic illness. She is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment where clients feel comfortable exploring their thoughts and emotions without judgement.

Amy holds a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of New England. She is currently accepting new clients both in-person and via telehealth, and offers flexible scheduling including evenings and weekends. 

Amy can be reached at amy@higherrhode.com

Melanie Riewerts, LMHC-A, firmly believes that connection is healing. She recognizes that true personal growth happens when individuals are provided a safe place to be their genuine selves and to be truly seen and heard. Whether navigating a major life transition, wrestling with anxiety or depression, or hitting roadblocks in relationships, clients do not have to carry the burden alone. Melanie works with adults, children, and families to help them find their footing during challenging times.

Her clinical approach is trauma-informed, relational, and down-to-earth. She looks at the big picture of a client's life using a systems perspective, exploring how relationships, environments, and past experiences impact overall well-being. In her sessions, she blends evidence-based tools from Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Motivational Interviewing. At the heart of her work is a deep focus on values; by helping clients clarify what truly matters to them, she uses those core values as a compass to drive meaningful progress and build a life of purpose. This values-based framework also grounds her own practice, ensuring that every session is anchored in authenticity, mutual respect, and intentional care. And yes, she will absolutely use humor along the way, because she believes healing doesn't always have to feel heavy.

Melanie holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Southern New Hampshire University and completed her clinical internship at Child & Family (RI) in their Family Centered Treatment program, working closely with families navigating crisis and change. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Maryland Global Campus and is a certified trainer in Motivational Interviewing.

Melanie's path to clinical work is shaped by a diverse range of lived and professional experiences. As a military spouse of over 30 years, she spent decades adapting to new communities, giving her a profound, firsthand understanding of major life transitions and the importance of resilience. This background seamlessly connects to her professional history in special education and non-profit work with older adults and individuals with disabilities.

When she is not working with clients, Melanie is usually spending quality time with her family and soaking up the beautiful coastal life in Rhode Island. She is now accepting new clients for both in-person and virtual sessions.

Amanda Tierney, MS, CSCS, CEDS-C brings a unique blend of sport performance, mental health, and coaching experience to her work at Higher Rhode Wellness. Since 2006, she has worked in athletic and intensive treatment settings supporting athletes and clients in developing confidence, resilience, and sustainable well-being.

At Higher Rhode Wellness, Amanda works with individuals and groups on mental performance training and everyday well-being. She leads with kindness, curiosity, and empowerment, offering a nonjudgmental space where clients can explore their goals and challenges. Amanda uses her background in sport psychology to inform her coaching and has 20 years of experience working with athletes at all levels.

A former Division III athlete and someone who once completed a 50-day, self-supported cross-country bicycle tour, Amanda deeply values helping others reach their athletic and life goals from a place of sustainability, confidence, and joy.

Amanda holds a Master’s degree in Sport Psychology and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and Approved Consultant (CEDS-C) through the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals. She also serves as the Executive Director of the Body Positive Fitness Alliance (BPFA, 501c3).

Amanda can be reached at amanda@higherrhode.com