About Us
Honoring Legacy. Healing Generations.
Our Story
Esteemed Families, LLC is a mental health agency founded in 2017 to provide culturally appropriate services to children and families in Washington, DC. Denise Montgomery was inspired by her parents' dedication to community service. They instilled values of hard work, helping others, and family love.
Denise engaged with various organizations like the National Council of Negro Women and National Urban League during her youth. She pursued social work at Virginia State University and joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., furthering her commitment to serving others.
Denise established Esteemed Families, LLC to address the shortage of qualified mental health professionals familiar with systemic oppression and lack of resources. Esteemed Families provides quality services to underserved children and families
Meet our Founder: Denise Montgomery, LICSW, LMFT, RPT-S
Therapist. Teacher. Healer. Visionary.
Denise Montgomery brings over 20 years of experience as a licensed clinical social worker, licensed marriage & family therapist, and registered play therapist-supervisor. Her passion is rooted in helping Black and African-diaspora families heal from trauma, reclaim their voice, and thrive across generations.
“Esteemed Families was born from the vision of its founder, who recognized the urgent need for more culturally attuned, socially conscious mental health professionals. With firsthand awareness of how systemic oppression and chronic disinvestment impact both individuals and communities, she established Esteemed Families as a transformative space—where the traditions of our ancestors meet the demands of modern clinical practice.”
Why Esteemed Families Is Different
✅ Rooted in African-Centered and Liberation Psychology
✅ Trauma-Informed + Culturally Relevant
✅ Inclusive and Family-Oriented
✅ Led by a Highly Trained, Licensed Team
Our Vision
To create a world where Black and African-descended families can heal, grow, and thrive in dignity—free from stigma, shame, and disconnection.
Our Clients Say...
"Therapy with Esteemed Families felt like coming home to myself."
"This is the first time I’ve felt like a therapist actually understood me culturally and emotionally."
Have Been one of our clients?
Join Us on the Journey
Whether you’re beginning therapy for the first time or returning to continue your healing, we welcome you. We honor your story—and we’re here to help you write the next chapter with compassion and clarity.
No Surprise Act
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services.
You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service.
If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.