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 the founder of Inner Safeguarding, a business that prioritises your wellbeing as a caregiver.

About Sophie Banks

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 three cute blue and yellow blobby characters, one is an adult caregiver sweating and looking stressed next to a crying baby and a disengaged teenager with a mobile phone.

How can Inner Safeguarding support you?

At Inner Safeguarding, my mission is simple: to care for you, the carer.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, drained from pain, or stuck in survival mode, I’m here to help.

Through evidence-based strategies, self-care practices, and a compassionate approach, I’ll support you in finding calm, building resilience, and regaining control—so you can feel better, live better, and show up as your best possible self for children and young people.

I offer support through individual counselling and group workshops.

  • 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 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 began my career as a family lawyer and dispute resolution practitioner, gaining deep insight into the impact of separation and conflict on children and caregivers.

My own lived experience further deepened my understanding of these challenges and sparked a passion for wellbeing.

As I transitioned into the education sector and later into child safeguarding, I continued to witness how closely caregiver and child wellbeing are connected.

This motivated me to introduce workplace wellbeing initiatives and pursue formal training in meditation, positive psychology, breathwork, wellbeing coaching, and counselling—ultimately leading me to this practice.

My lived experience with a physical impairment and persistent pain has also led me to train in the approaches that helped me most: Explain Pain and Pain Reprocessing Therapy.

I am a strong advocate for a holistic (whole person) approach to wellbeing - one that takes into account physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual and social factors.

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

— Nora Ephron

  • I specialise in helping caregivers in three (3) main and often over-lapping areas:

    1. Stress

    2. Chronic Pain

    3. Self-regulation.

    • 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 resouces.

    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)

    • Professionalism

    • Kindness

    • Respect

    • Compassion

    • Inclusion

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

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.