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Still Waters' Story
Still Waters Institute was created to make space for something many people have never been taught how to access... pause, regulation, and intentional response.
Founded by Devon A. Blackwood, the work began with a simple but powerful realization. Most people are moving through life without the tools to process what they feel, de-escalate what they experience, or respond in ways that lead to healthier outcomes.
In a world that often rewards urgency, reaction, and constant output, Still Waters offers a different approach. One grounded in awareness, accountability, and care.
Through training, curriculum, and community-based work, Still Waters partners with schools, organizations, and individuals to build practical skills for emotional regulation, conflict de-escalation, and thoughtful decision-making. The work is both preventative and restorative... supporting people not only in moments of crisis, but in the everyday patterns that shape how they show up in the world.
At its core, Still Waters is about helping people understand their internal world, so they can move through their external one with greater clarity, calm, and intention.
Because when individuals learn to regulate, systems begin to change.
Meet Our Founder
Devon A. Blackwood is a counselor, speaker, and advocate whose work centers on emotional regulation, behavioral change, and mental health.
His experience spans clinical, governmental, and community-based settings, including work with the Johns Hopkins Hospital Psychiatry Department and service as a Public Health Advisor at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Across these roles, he has supported both individuals and systems navigating complex challenges related to mental health and substance use.
Devon is the founder of Still Waters Institute, where he leads training, education, and consulting focused on helping people and organizations respond with greater clarity, accountability, and intention. His work also extends into public policy, including his role as a Chairman Appointee to Governor Wes Moore’s 2023 Board of Commission to The Patuxent Institution.
He holds a degree in psychology from the University of Baltimore and a Master’s in Human Services Counseling from Liberty University.
His work is grounded in a simple belief... when people learn to understand and regulate themselves, they create the possibility for healthier outcomes in every area of their lives.