Photograph of Sophie Banks, Founder of Inner Safeguarding wearing a beige blazer, blue top, striped pants leaning against a wall smiling at camera

Welcome.

I’m Sophie, a registered counsellor, meditation teacher, safeguarding professional and founder of Inner Safeguarding, a business that prioritises your wellbeing as a caregiver.

About Sophie Banks

Logo of member of the Australian Counselling Association.
Logo of Meditation Association of Australia Registered Meditation Teacher.
Logo of mental health first aid accreditation.
Logo of certified breath coach certification.
Logo of certified Positive Psychology Practitioner Certification.

As a caregiver you deserve support

Caring for children and young people is deeply rewarding, but it can also feel overwhelming — especially when you’re struggling to keep your own head above water.

I understand this firsthand, not only as a professional with a background in family law, mediation, education, child safety, and wellbeing but also as someone who has personally navigated separation, burnout, stress and chronic pain while balancing caregiving responsibilities.

  • Cartoon illustration of a cute blue blobby character floating in the air in a blissful state.

    Find calm

  • Cartoon illustration of a cute yellow blobby character standing with one hand on heart, feeling happy and peaceful.

    Reduce stress and pain

  • Cartoon illustration of a cute blue blobby character holding a broom smiling while looking down at a smashed cup on the floor.

    Increase coping

A bit more about me.

I’m a counsellor, meditation teacher, and safeguarding professional, dedicated to supporting those who care for children and young people.

My work is grounded in a holistic, trauma-aware approach that recognises the deep connection between adult wellbeing and child safety—two sides of the same coin.

For over two decades, I’ve worked across the intersecting worlds of family law, education, and child safeguarding. I currently lead ChildAware as Head of Content and Operations, and I’m also the Founder of this business Inner Safeguarding, my private counselling and wellbeing practice.

My inner and outer safeguarding work reflects my dual passions: creating safe environments for children and supporting the wellbeing of the adults who care for them.

My path has been shaped by both professional insight and lived experience. I’ve navigated separation, parenting, and persistent pain, and I understand the challenge of caregiving under pressure.

Alongside formal training in counselling, meditation, mindfulness, breathwork, workplace wellbeing and positive psychology, I’ve led workplace wellbeing initiatives and supported organisations to build safer cultures.

In my counselling work, I have a particular interest in mind-body approaches to wellbeing. I offer support for challenges such as emotional regulation, stress management, burnout, relationship breakdown, decision-making, life transitions, separated and sole parenting, neurodivergent parenting, disability, chronic illness, and chronic pain. I also provide meditation and mindfulness coaching.

I believe that when you prioritise your wellbeing, everyone around you benefits - especially children. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about allowing yourself the care, self-compassion and practical tools you deserve so you can show up as your best possible self.

If you need some support, please get in touch.

“Above all, be the heroine of your own life, not the victim”

— Nora Ephron

  • In my on-on-one counselling and meditation coaching work I offer support for challenges such as emotional regulation, stress management, burnout, relationship breakdown, decision-making, life transitions, separated and sole parenting, neurodivergent parenting, disability, chronic illness, and chronic pain.

    • Diploma of Counselling (Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors)

    • Master of Human Rights Law (University of Melbourne)

    • Bachelor of Arts (Sociology, Eng. Lit.) / Law (Australian National University)

    • Meditation Teacher Certificate (Melbourne Meditation Centre)

    • Accredited Work on Wellbeing Practitioner (Langley Institute)

    • Pain Reprocessing Practitioner Certificate (Pain Reprocessing Therapy Center)

    • Explain Pain (Neuro Orthopaedic Institute Australasia (Noigroup))

    • Positive Psychology Practitioner Certificate (School of Positive Transformation)

    • Breath Coach Certificate (Yoga Body Teachers College)

    • Group Facilitation (Group Work Institute)

    • Tuning into Kids Parenting Program (Tuning into Kids)

    • Mental Health First Aid Officer (Mental Health First Aid Australia)

    • Mediation Certificate (Harvard Negotiation Institute)

    • Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (Relationships Australia)

    • National Training Program for Independent Children’s Lawyers (Family Law Section, Law Council of Australia)

  • I take a strengths-based, integrated and holistic approach, tailored to your specific needs and goals - with you always in the ‘driver’s seat.’

    I believe you already possess the knowledge, skills and ability to move through your circumstances, and that my role is simply to support you to access your ‘inner’ wisdom and available resources.

    All my work is grounded in mindfulness, and depending on your needs, I may draw on:

    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

    • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

    • Solutions Focussed Therapy (SFT)

    • Explain Pain and Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT)

    • Somatic (body-based) practices.

    As a lifelong learner, I am constantly engaged in professional development to add more tools to my toolkit, and yours.

    Please note: As a counsellor, I do not provide parenting, family law, relationship, or safeguarding advice.

    • Australian Counselling Association (MACA Level 1)

    • Australian Meditation Association (Full member)

  • Child Aware

    Commission for Children and Young People

    Department of Education and Training (Vic)

    Department of Justice and Community Safety (Vic)

    Slater & Gordon - Family Law

    Melbourne Family Relationship Centre - Child Dispute Resolution

    • Professionalism

    • Kindness

    • Respect

    • Compassion

    • Inclusion

    • Meditation Teacher, Look Good Feel Better (Feel Better Fridays Wellbeing Program)