 TITLE: Looking for a Credit Counselor? Here’s How to Find a Good One CONTENT: Set Up a Preliminary Meeting\n----------------------------\nOnce you've identified a few counselors, call to set up a preliminary meeting in person or over the phone. This initial session should always be free. During the meeting, interview the counselors about their experience, approach and cost structure.\nDepending on the types of services you'll need, your sessions could be free if they're basic, or they could cost a small fee. You'll want to stay away from for-profit companies, especially ones that offer quick fixes. Most credit counselors work at nonprofit agencies, but depending on the time they will spend with you, they might charge a small fee, which is normal. Be sure to get a quote in writing, and find out whether it's per session, on a monthly basis or some other structure.\nAsk a lot of questions about the process. If you feel uncomfortable with the counselor or are unclear about how things work, don't hesitate to ask more questions. It's OK to move to another counselor if one doesn't seem like a good fit. Don't rush the process—it's perfectly fine to take a reasonable amount of time to find the right counselor for you. END