Afton Music Therapy
About Me - Donna Eaton
You may be a parent/carer, senco or teacher striving to do your best for your children and young people. You may be a child or young person feeling lost, trying to find your way through a thick cloud of confusing thoughts and feelings. The load being carried is a heavy one; there may be anxiety, low mood, neurodivergence, EBSA (emotionally based school avoidance), learning disabilities, challenging behaviour or more complex needs.
In Music Therapy, the music is different from conventional music. You don't to have to play a musical instrument or have any knowledge of music. Talking still has its place, and other methods such as art and play can bring a creative mix to the sessions.
Music Therapy offers the opportunity to learn about feelings, how to recognise them and finding ways to understand them. This can be through music making, exploring sounds or maybe more focused musical activities. It can offer a calming space when the outside world is too noisy. Music-making can also bring a sense of accomplishment, and a boost confidence and self-esteem. It can also be used to learn coping skills or help develop social skills such as turn-taking and sharing.
Music Therapy can be a valuable means of communication and connection with children /young people who are nonverbal or have complex needs. Music can be shared using percussion instruments, interacting using vocal sounds, through mirroring or songs. Such interactions can lower anxiety, and build an important therapeutic relationship.
My music therapy sessions are child/young person-led and psychodynamically informed. Child/young person-led means that the child/young person guides the session. I encourage free movement and for the music room to be a safe space letting creativity grow. Psychodynamic means building a trusting relationship between client and therapist. This relationship is fundamental to the success of music therapy. I take part in music-making, if appropriate, allowing for the exploration of feelings, thoughts and behaviours together. It can offer important insight into the internal world.
I offer Music Therapy to children/young people 3-21 years old. I have an extensive collection of instruments including, piano, percussion instruments, chimes, guitars and handbells, as well as numerous props and resources.
I warmly welcome you into my home, where I have a designated music room. It is a quiet and confidential space. The sessions are about 45-50 minutes, however this is flexible. There is on-street parking and it is wheelchair accessible.
I'm passionate about children and young people's mental health. I would love the opportunity to help your child/young person with their emotional struggles, to build resilience, confidence and a good sense of self-worth.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications- MA (Distinction) in Music Therapy
- BSc (HON) (First Class Hons) in Optometry
- DipMus (OU) postgraduate diploma in Music
- AXA Level 2 certificate in Counselling
- Grade 8 in voice (ABRSM)
I keep my professional development ongoing.
I'm up to date with Safeguarding Child Protection Refresher Dec 2025 and The Prevent Duty Dec 2025 training.
I hold indemnity insurance and Public Liability Insurance.
I'm accredited to BAMT (British Association of Music Therapy).
I'm registered with HCPC (Health Care Professions Council).
I have an up-to-date enhanced DBS certificate.
Experience
I have experience working with children and young people aged 3-16, mainly in school settings. I have worked with children who were struggling with anxiety, EBSA, neurodivergence, low mood, learning difficulties and adoption
I led a bereavement group for young adults with learning disabilities.
I have experience working in a children's hospice, where the needs varied, and many of the children were non-verbal.
I was part of an online sing and sign group (Makaton) for young people with learning disabilities.
I contributed to an online dementia choir.
As well as working with children, I have offered support to parents whose children were struggling with their mental health. Much of this work was around EBSA, and parents trying to find their way through it. It was a safe space for them to vent their frustrations and share their fears. I also offered 1:1 support sessions with parents. This work gave me the opportunity to work with families as a whole.
Supervision with another experienced professional is mandatory for therapists. They play an important part in making sure you are receiving the best care for your child.
Location: Cambourne, Cambridge, CB23 6AX
Member organisations HCPC and BAMT
If you have any questions please Contact Me