Debt counseling comes in many forms and from many sources. There are some fly-by-nights and shysters out there, as well as some firms who are genuinely committed to helping consumers to educate themselves about debt, debt repayment and the wise use of credit.

National Foundation for Credit Counseling has a good reputation for giving good counseling and good advice. Find them at nfcc.org. They offer both local agencies and online agencies to help you understand and solve your credit issues with debt counseling. NFCC also offers debt advice through Debtadvice.com. They offer money management education along with their analysis of your personal debt situation. The fees are reasonable and they provide a chart on their site showing what you will pay for their services.

Consumer Credit Counseling Services is another agency with a national reputation for helping consumers work out their debts through debt counseling. They are at cccsintl.org. They offer education on the use of credit, understanding your credit report and budgeting. Check their link on Know Your Rights to learn more about your rights regarding your debts, your credit and your accounts.

Beware of the web sites whose first page asks you to fill out a form listing all of your debts and account numbers before you learn anything about the services they offer. These may not be your best choices. Does the site give a phone number for you to call? If not, think twice about using them.

Debt counseling is not offered by Debtors Anonymous, but they do offer self-help groups where you can learn about how others have gotten out of debt, usually without bankruptcy, and learned new spending habits. They say no one can help a debtor like another debtor. Based on the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous, this is one of your best sources of improved use of credit. Members may also be able to say what their experiences were with local and online debt counseling organizations. Find a meeting near you at www.debtorsanonymous.org.

Congratulations on your commitment to finding good debt counseling. It will require some work and you will have to change your spending habits, but the results will be well worth the effort.