Credit Counseling
Consumer Credit Counseling Services From a Trusted Nonprofit
When debt becomes overwhelming, knowing where to start can feel just as stressful as the debt itself. Credit counseling provides a clear, educational starting point—helping you understand your financial situation and explore realistic options without pressure.
At Take Charge America, our Consumer Credit Counseling Services are free, confidential, and designed to put education first. As a nonprofit organization, our role is to help you make informed decisions that support long-term financial stability, not to sell products or push quick fixes.
Credit counseling is part of our broader Debt Help services, and it’s often the first step toward choosing the right debt-relief path.
What Is Consumer Credit Counseling?
- Where your money is going
- How your debt is affecting your financial health
- Which debt-relief options may be appropriate for your situation
- Enroll in a program
- Take out a loan
- Stop paying your creditors
- Commit to any specific solution
How Credit Counseling Fits Into Debt Help
Debt relief is not one-size-fits-all. Credit counseling acts as the foundation for every responsible debt solution by helping you compare options such as:
Your counselor’s role is to explain the pros, cons, and long-term impact of each option — even if the best choice is not one of our programs.
What to Expect From a Credit Counseling Session
Your free credit counseling session is designed to be informative, supportive, and judgment-free
Built around your income, expenses, and financial priorities
summary
To help you understand how your debt and payment history affect your credit
Resources
Covering budgeting, credit use, and long-term financial habits
Clear explanations of which options make the most sense for your situation
How the Credit Counseling Process Works
During your credit counseling session, we review the current state of your finances to determine your best path forward. There are multiple options, so what works for your friend, neighbor or co-worker may not be the best solution for you. We remove the complexity and provide you with straightforward solutions. The process is smoother and faster if you have financial documents on hand, but you can get started without them..
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You’ll be asked to summarize your income, expenses, and debts. Having documents ready can help, but it’s not required to get started.
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Session
Complete your session online at any time or speak with a certified counselor by phone.
Phone: 866-528-0588
Hours: Monday–Friday, 6 a.m.–6 p.m. MST
Online sessions are available 24/7, and you can save your progress and return later.
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Review
Your counselor will review your financial situation to identify challenges, opportunities, and realistic next steps.
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You’ll receive a clear action plan that may include budgeting guidance, educational tools, and an explanation of any debt-relief options that fit your needs.
Who Can Benefit From Credit Counseling?
Credit counseling can help if you:
- Are struggling to keep up with credit card payments
- Feel unsure which debt-relief option is right for you
- Want to understand your credit report and score
- Need help building a realistic monthly budget
- Are looking for nonprofit, unbiased guidance
You do not need to be behind on payments to seek credit counseling.
Need Help? Contact Us
Have questions or need support? Our team is here to assist you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Credit Counseling
How will credit counseling help me?
It helps you understand your financial situation, explore your options, and create a realistic plan, whether or not you enroll in a program.
Is credit counseling really free?
Yes. Your initial credit counseling session is free and confidential.
Should I complete the session online or by phone?
Both options provide the same guidance. Choose what’s most convenient for you.
How long does credit counseling take?
Most sessions take about 60 minutes, depending on the complexity of your situation.
Are your counselors qualified?
Yes. Our counselors are certified and trained to provide nonprofit consumer credit counseling and financial education.
Start With Education — Not Commitment
Credit counseling is about understanding your options, not locking you into a decision. Whether you move forward with a debt management plan or simply leave with better clarity, the goal is the same: helping you regain control.
- Available online 24/7
- Save your progress and return anytime
- Clear explanations and educational guidance
- Downloadable credit report summary
