our team
Karol Santistevan OTR/L , CTRI, ESMHL
Karol Santistevan is the founder of Ropes & Roses Therapy Services. Born and raised in the Black Hills in South Dakota, she was just 6 months old when she was first put on the back of a horse. Karol grew up in the world of rodeo where her first job was to warm-up and cool-down pick-up horses. In 1999, Karol earned an Associate of Business in Business Administration and Accounting from Casper College.
In 2002, Karol became a certified Special Olympics Equestrian Coach, a Level 2 Western & English Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) Instructor, and in 2004, her PATH Int’l Registered Level Instructor Certification. In 2004 Karol co-founded and was the executive director of Reach 4A Star Riding Academy, a Premier Accredited Therapeutic (PATH) Riding Center. Karol was awarded the PATH Int’l Region 10 Instructor of the Year in 2007. After much encouragement from students and coworkers, Karol went back to school to complete a Master’s of Occupational Therapy program through the University of North Dakota. In 2023, she became accredited as a DIRFloortime® Practitioner through the International Council on Development and Learning (ICDL). Her education combined with years of experience, holistic, nature based approach allows her to connect deeply with her patients. By getting back to the grassroots of what OT really is, Karol's approach is grounding herself and the horses to engage as a team to support her clients. Her connections with the mental health community run deep and help create wraparound services the community needs.
Karol feels fortunate to teach as an adjunct at Casper College. Not only does she get a chance to teach, but also mentor associate students in OTA, Pre-OT, Social Work, Addiction studies, Nursing, and Education. She also works regularly with UW Social Work Students and University of North Dakota OT Doctorate students.
Karol states “My approach is holistic, nature based, and allows clients to get in touch with themselves in our beautiful Wyoming environment. It gives clients the chance to realize who they are in a truly authentic way.
Genie Hensley COTA/L, ESMHL, ADHD-RSP, CTRI
Genie Hensley is a highly credentialed and dedicated professional with a passion for using equine-assisted activities to transform lives. She holds certifications as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA/L), an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL). As an ESMHL, Genie ensures the safety and well-being of both clients and horses in equine-assisted mental health and learning sessions, collaborating closely with mental health professionals to provide impactful therapy experiences.
Genie is also certified in Hippotherapy through the American Hippotherapy Association (AHA), specializing in using therapist graded input and movement from equines to improve clients' overall strength, balance, motor planning, and sensory regulation skills. Additionally, she is a Registered Provider with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, extending her therapeutic approach to include canine-assisted support.
Her most recent certification as an ADHD-Rehabilitation Services Provider (ADHD-RSP) reflects her expertise in addressing ADHD challenges across various age groups. Genie’s training covers a range of topics, including executive function strategies for adults, ADHD in children and adolescents, and CBT techniques to support individuals with ADHD and anxiety.
Genie’s work also includes supporting non-verbal clients and their families through American Sign Language (ASL), fostering communication and connection in unique and meaningful ways.
At Ropes and Roses Therapy Services, Genie manages volunteer coordination, including training, scheduling, and fostering a cohesive team environment. She uses her training and skill set as a PATHINTl Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) to inform the care and workload management of the facility’s therapy horses, ensuring their physical condition, well-being, and readiness for sessions. Her dedication to both her human and equine teams reflects her deep commitment to providing high-quality care and maintaining a safe, supportive environment for all.
Genie is also deeply engaged in advancing the occupational therapy profession. She serves as the Legislative Chair on the Board of the Wyoming Occupational Therapy Association (WYOTA), where she contributes her expertise and advocacy efforts to support occupational therapy initiatives across the state.
Genie’s expertise extends to teaching, as she leads a community course at Casper College titled Explore the World of Equine-Assisted Activities. This engaging class introduces participants to equine-assisted therapies, equine-assisted learning, adaptive riding, and traditional riding lessons. The course emphasizes their therapeutic and educational significance and includes both lectures and hands-on experiences with therapy horses.
She has been working with Karol Santistevan since 2017, and draws upon her Wyoming ranching background and lifelong experience with horses. Her journey includes being a CHA Level 1 certified instructor, a 4-H horse leader, and an independent teacher of private riding lessons. She became a PATH Int’l Registered Level Instructor in 2015 and earned her degree and license as an Occupational Therapy Assistant in 2016.
Outside of her professional life, Genie enjoys spending time with her family, exploring the natural wonders of Wyoming. She brings passion, expertise, and a love of learning to her work, empowering clients of all abilities to overcome challenges and achieve their fullest potential.
Tisa Sucher, MSW, LCSW
Mental Health
Ropes and Roses Therapy Services
“Each of us will have to make the choices that allow us to be the largest versions of ourselves.”—Julia Alvarez, Dominican-American poet, novelist and essayist
Tisa, a native of Wyoming, cherishes the rejuvenating essence of nature and animals, appreciating how they refresh & soothe the soul. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, she brings a wealth of experience, marked by genuine acceptance and compassion, to her therapeutic practice. Tisa's academic journey led her to the University of Wyoming, where she attained both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work. Her career spans over 30 years, with licensure in the State of Wyoming since 2004.
Her expertise encompasses a diverse range of areas including primary care outpatient mental health, healthcare, inpatient psychiatric care, private behavioral health practice, hospice, bereavement, and academia. Tisa is adept at serving varied populations, including the elderly, veterans, the LGBTQ community, and individuals from diverse socioeconomic, spiritual, ability, and cultural backgrounds.
In 2020, Tisa began volunteering with Project Kenny, a national non-profit organization dedicated to training service dogs for veterans and first responders affected by PTSD. Additionally, her volunteer efforts extend to suicide prevention and various spiritual communities. She is a recognized speaker at professional and community events.
Tisa has been an active member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) since 2005, contributing to the Wyoming NASW Board in 2022 and part of 2023. She has also played a vital role in clinically supervising and mentoring numerous social workers throughout her career.
At Ropes & Roses Therapy Services, Tisa offers a range of services including:
- Individual Psychotherapy for teenagers and adults across all life stages, including Geriatric care. Specialty areas encompass Trauma-Informed Care, Shared Decision Making, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Grief and Loss Therapy, PTSD Treatment, Anxiety and Depression Treatment, Suicidality Treatment, Chronic Illness/Pain Adjustment Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Integrative/Holistic Therapy, and Animal Assisted Therapy.
- Group Psychotherapy options such as 8-week PTSD Equine Assisted Recovery Groups, 6-week Bereavement Groups, and Cognitive Behavioral Specialty Groups.
- Professional Training in Trauma Informed Care for health facilities/clinics, churches, and professionals, as well as Service Dog FAQ Training.
Tisa accepts private pay clients and will bill Medicaid and other insurances.