Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Weekend Extra: Recovery and creativity through music

Jack Gude and music therapist Laurel Downey-Desjarlais
sing an Elvis Presley song at the Valley View Centre.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy


A large grin spread across Jack Gude’s face as he sang Blue Suede Shoes.

Along with his music therapist Laurel Downey-Desjarlais, Gude also sang Elvis Presley’s song Treat Me Nice in Downey-Desjarlais’ office at Valley View Centre (VVC).

“Playing music together helps us connect and trust each other. Besides just us having our relationship from talking, playing music together helps us connect and trust each other,” said Downey-Desjarlais. “It bonds the client to the therapist and makes us feel safe.”

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