When youre struggling with debt, its hard to know where to turn.

High fees, finance charges and missed payments add up quickly.

Before you know it, youre drowning.

A person is handcuffed to a credit card.

Aileen Perilla/The Penny Hoarder

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What Is Credit Counseling?

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Most reputable credit counseling services are provided by nonprofit agencies.

They offer a variety of services, including general financial advice, homeownership counseling and debt management plans.

you could find nonprofit credit counseling agencies at local offices, online and/or over the phone.

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Trained credit counselors can review your financial situation including yourcredit card debt and make recommendations to improve it.

We Dare You to Take Control of Your Debt

Up for a debt challenge?

In 10 days,these 10 practical stepscould help you get back on the right financial track.

Credit counseling agencies are perhaps best known for helping you create a debt management plan.

A debt management plan rolls all your debts into one monthly payment to make it easier to manage.

They can help youcreate a budget, teach you ways to save money and define your financial goals.

Or a debt counselor canreview your credit reportand help you dispute errors.

(This is especially helpful if youve been a victim of identity theft.)

They can also guide you toward free educational resources on money management to help boost your financial know-how.

A credit counseling agency can assist with bankruptcy counseling, student loan counseling and homeownership counseling.

Many nonprofit organizations also offer housing counseling for first-time homebuyers.

They can help you avoid foreclosure or teach you aboutreverse mortgages.

They offer advice for renters, too.

Prepare for the meeting by gathering accurate and complete information about your finances.

This financial review wont be packed with surprises.

It will recap what you discussed and explain the next steps.

How Much Does It Cost for Credit Counseling?

Just because a credit counseling agency operates as a nonprofit organization doesnt meanallits services are free.

The cost of credit counseling services varies by agency, location and individual financial need.

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Does Credit Counseling Hurt Your Credit Score?

But as you build a payment history through the plan, your score will likely improve.

How Can I Find a Credit Counselor?

Each maintains a directory of member organizations most of them nonprofits that serve a variety of needs.

Both organizations also have certification and accreditation requirements to ensure quality among counselors.

The CFPB recommends avoiding organizations that pressure you into a debt management plan before fully considering your financial situation.

Thats why its smart to shop around for a credit counseling agency you feel comfortable working with.

The short answer: Nothing.

The terms are interchangeable.

For this and other reasons its best to avoid working with a debt settlement company.

What Other Options Do I Have?

Here are other alternatives to credit counseling.

They follow a fiduciary standard, which obligates them to work in your best interests.

You may be able to consolidate your debt or negotiate your credit interest rates.

Be persistent and polite.

Creating a strict budget and sticking to it.

Or you may simply need a nudge to choose a debt payoff method snowball versus avalanche, anyone?

and stick to the plan while you make steady progress.

After all, a little financial education can go a long way.

Drowning in Expenses?

Maybe youre scrambling after your car broke down.

Or you got a medical bill you werent expecting.

Or inflation has finally pushed your budget over the edge.

You dont need to go it alone.

When money is tight,these resourcescan help you manage unexpected expenses without stress.

Rachel Christian is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance and a senior writer for The Penny Hoarder.

Lisa Rowan is a former senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.

Staff writer Tiffany Wendeln Connors contributed to this post.