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, CTRI, ESMHL
Genie has been working with Karol since the summer of 2017. She brings a lifetime of horse experience from a Wyoming ranching background. She has been an CHA level 1 certified instructor, a 4-H horse leader, and taught many private lessons on her own. She became a PATH Int’l Registered Level Instructor in 2015 and shortly after, in 2016, earned her degree and license as an Occupational Therapy Assistant. Genie enjoys combining the best of both worlds to help people of all abilities overcome their personal challenges and live their lives to the fullest. Genie enjoys spending time with her family exploring the many wonders of Wyoming.
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.