Credit Counseling: A Trusted First Step Toward Financial Stability

If you’re overwhelmed by debt and unsure where to start, Credit Counseling is one of the most effective first steps you can take. It’s a professional, confidential service that helps individuals assess their financial situation, explore available solutions, and create a clear plan to manage or eliminate debt.

At APFSC, our certified credit counselors provide personalized support to help you understand your options. Whether you’re facing high-interest credit card debt, struggling with monthly payments, or just want better control over your finances, our counseling sessions are designed to guide you toward long-term success.

Get Started

What Is Credit Counseling?

Credit counseling is a free or low-cost service that offers a complete review of your financial health. During your session, a certified counselor will evaluate your income, expenses, debts, and goals. The goal is to give you a full picture of your situation and recommend the best course of action based on your unique needs.

Unlike sales-driven services or quick-fix solutions, credit counseling is educational and nonjudgmental. You’ll receive honest advice, learn how to budget effectively, and discover which debt relief strategies—such as a debt management program—might be right for you.

This process empowers you to make informed financial decisions and take back control of your money, one step at a time.

What to Expect from a Credit Counseling Session

Every counseling session is designed to help you better understand your finances and available options. The process is simple, transparent, and confidential.

Review of your full financial picture, including income, expenses, and all debts

Budget analysis to identify opportunities for savings or adjustments

Personalized recommendations for debt solutions like consolidation or management plans

Answers to questions about credit scores, interest rates, and repayment strategies

Referrals to additional resources for long-term financial success

Whether you’re barely making minimum payments or simply want a plan to manage money more effectively, this session will give you the clarity you need.

Benefits of Credit Counseling

Credit counseling is not just about solving today’s problems—it’s about building a stronger future. Here’s how it helps:

  • Provides a judgment-free, expert analysis of your financial situation
  • Offers guidance from certified professionals with experience in debt solutions
  • Helps prevent bankruptcy by finding manageable alternatives
  • Reduces stress and uncertainty with a clear action plan
  • Builds a foundation of financial education to prevent future debt

Most people walk away from a credit counseling session feeling more hopeful and more in control than they have in months—or even years.

Is Credit Counseling Right for You?

Credit counseling is an excellent resource if you:

  • Feel like you’re falling behind on monthly bills
  • Are using credit cards to cover basic expenses
  • Are confused about your options for managing debt
  • Want to avoid bankruptcy or stop collection calls
  • Need help understanding how to improve your credit

You don’t have to be in financial crisis to benefit from counseling. Even if you’re managing your payments, but feeling stretched, this service can help you make smarter financial choices moving forward.

Our Approach at APFSC

At APFSC, we take a compassionate, educational approach to credit counseling. Our team understands how stressful debt can be—and how hard it is to ask for help. That’s why we focus on solutions, not judgment.

Your counselor will take the time to understand your full story, then recommend a path that aligns with your goals. If a structured debt management program makes sense, we’ll walk you through the details and help you get started. If another solution is better, we’ll explain that too.

Our mission is to help you move forward with confidence, clarity, and support.

Credit counselors available 24/7

Start the conversation and get the support you deserve.

Testimonials

Real Stories, Real Success

I have been in the program for a couple of months. I have to say I am extremely impressed with the customer service and accuracy of the process. My statements reflect the lower rates and my balances are finally going down. I will be debt free in 4 years instead of 27 years. The AES staff answered all my questions that I had. They explained the program to me and all the services that they provide. They helped me with my finances and present hardship. They were able to lower rates on every credit card I Have.

Bonnie Kartheiser

Bonnie Kartheiser

N. Fond du Lac, WI

I have been working with Amber #1309. She has been very courteous and respectful through out this application process. Our payments are not going to be reduced by a whole lot, but we will save a very large amount of money over the next five years and then be debt free. We are retired so the extra thousand dollars we will have after our debt is paid off will save us. Your agents are really wonderful to work with. Thank you for contacting us about your services, we are very grateful.

Nancy Moulton

Nancy Moulton

Moab, UT

It has been 7 months since I was referred by Discover for the program. I have greatly appreciated the help that James#1722 has provided me with. The whole process went very smoothly and he was very kind, helpful and understanding to my needs!! Filling out this survey was the least that I could do for James at AES and all the help they provided my family. I will be debt free of 32,000 in debt in only 3 more years paying less than what the minimum payments were before the rates were reduced. If this had not happened for me and my family we would have been paying on our Discover accounts for the next 44 years. The lady that I respond back and forth with for questions or comments has always been very helpful! My transition into the program was top notch!!

Dawn Dahlstrom

Dawn Dahlstrom

Tripoli, IA

The representatives James and Brian were very helpful, they brought tears of joy to my eyes. The reason I went into hardship I was forced into early retirement and lost 60.000.00 per year in income. I also had brought a house out of my fathers estate when he passed away. I fixed up the house by charging some of the work to my credit cards. The house was to be sold at double the price but it didn’t happen due to market conditions. Since then I just recently had major surgery and I had a heart attack on the surgery table due to stress. With all of this happening to me life has been very hard but with the help of you all I know I’m going to make it “Love you All”

Sharlene Thomas

Sharlene Thomas

Racine, WI

The staff at AES are awesome!!! We are self employed and had 92,000 in debt. I was drowning! It has been a full time job for me just keeping things organized and managing paying all of the bills and it seemed like we were still a month or two late all the time. Amber 1309 was so patient and carefully explained everything, answered all of questions, and patiently took my application. We were approved!!!!!! This means the difference between BK and starting our life again! Our minimum payments are lower and we will finally be debt free in just a few years instead of forever. I am writing this because I am so grateful and I just feel like shouting it at the top of my lungs…YAYYY!!!

Karen Belardinelli

Karen Belardinelli

Ridgefield, CT

When I first received this offer, I thought it was to good to be true. With 80,000 in debt we were sinking fast. The staff at AES were so so patient and thorough. We are so thankful we were approved it brought tears to my eyes when I heard. Our debt was such a burden and we had called the creditors directly so many times to ask for help and the answer was always no! In 4 years we will be debt free paying less then what are minimum payments were and keep our good credit, AMAZING! This makes the difference, we will be saving 2000 per month and now be able to put our children through college. Thank you so much and God Bless all of you.

Frances Epstein

Frances Epstein

Tucson,AZ

Rating

I got caught up in the use of my credit cards and was overspending. I was only able to make minimum payments and was not getting anywhere. This program was a life saver for me and dramatically reduced my blood pressure. I have been in the program for 3 years and my accounts are down 70% of the balance! My payments are always on time to my creditors and my credit is excellent. I only have 1 year left to be debt free. The staff at AES is the best, always available and patiently answers all questions. They deserve this pat on the back!

Daniel Bacon

Daniel Bacon

Pelham, AL

Rating

After recently retiring after 38 years in the human service profession, I commend James ID 1722 to the highest level of job performance in helping me reduce my current debt which has become quite a hardship to me and my family. His expertise and ability to answer questions were explained with compassion …demonstrating quite a passion for his job and wanting to help in any way possible. I never imagined as a young woman how I could accumulate such debt with credit cards. . .Now I am much older and will always be so thankful that I had the opportunity to work with James. . .He is quite an asset to the company and is now considered a real blessing in my life.

Martha Phillips

Martha Phillips

Asheboro, NC

Rating

As a Superior court judge I heavily scrutinize all things. After the thorough analysis provided as well as knowing I was on a fixed income. Due to my high interest rates, I determined this program was the only way I was ever going to pay off my credit card without damaging my credit. The representative was extremely polite and patient and the paperwork was clear and explained very well. I would recommend AES to the public and I am very thankful for their assistance.

Richard Sheward

Richard Sheward

New Albany, OH

Rating

My CSR and underwriter were very professional. I was a bit skeptical at first that this was in fact being offered to me. As an IT executive of the Department Of Justice and computer professional I know the dangers of doing business over the telephone. The staff was very thorough in my enrollment and very patient with my questions. After exploring many other options, this seemed like the only option to do something about the high rates I am paying without hurting my credit. I took a leap of faith to trust this process. It turned out to be legitimate and now I will be able to achieve my goal to be totally debt free in 7 years. I recommend AES and their staff to everyone.

James Harris

James Harris

Waldorf, MD

FAQ

Yes. All sessions are private and handled with complete confidentiality.

No. The session itself does not impact your credit, and taking action can actually help improve it over time.

Most initial sessions take 30 to 60 minutes, depending on your situation and the questions you have.

You’ll receive a personalized action plan, and if you choose, continued support from our team as you move forward.

Still have questions? We’re here to help!

If you need more information or personalized guidance, feel free to reach out.

Get Started with APFSC’s Credit Counseling Services Today

Don’t let debt overwhelm you. Our expert debt counseling services are here to guide you toward financial freedom. Whether you need debt settlement services, financial debt counseling, or a structured credit counseling program, we are ready to help. Contact APFSC today to schedule your free consultation and take control of your financial future.