What Does a Credit Counselor Do?
A credit counselor's job is to help you understand your financial picture and options — not to negotiate with creditors on your behalf like a debt settlement company does.
What a Credit Counselor Actually Does
- Reviews your budget — income, expenses, and debt obligations
- Provides financial education on budgeting and credit
- Reviews your options, which may include a debt management plan
A credit counselor is generally not a lawyer or a negotiator by default — that's a different service (see debt settlement).
What a Typical First Session Covers
Generally an income and expense review, an overview of your current debts, and a discussion of the options available to you given your specific numbers.
What Comes After
You may receive a recommendation for a debt management plan, or simply general budgeting guidance — there's no obligation to enroll in anything as a result of the session.