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Debt has a way of wheedling into every crack of life. From weighing whether you can splurge on name-brand cereal this week to figuring out what kind of vacation you can afford to take this year, your debt always seems to have a say. And sometimes, debt speaks so loudly that it drowns out everything else.
That's why we get to know you first through a debt counseling conversation — by focusing on your needs and goals, Accredited Debt Relief can help you find hope as you look to your financial future. In one free, friendly consultation with an IAPDA-certified debt specialist, you can find a path out of debt that actually fits your life. There's no pressure, no obligation and no impact on your credit score. And if you decide to move forward, you'll have real support for the long haul — budgeting tools, resources for the stress that comes with debt, a private community of people who understand and weekly group financial therapy sessions led by Certified Financial Therapists.
Get a Free Consultation — no pressure, no obligation, won't affect your credit score.
Debt counseling is simply talking through your debt with someone who knows it well and can help you see a clear way forward. At Accredited Debt Relief, that's a free, judgment-free conversation with a certified debt specialist who looks at your debt, income and monthly obligations, answers your questions and walks you through your options. Checking your options this way doesn't affect your credit score.
It's not a sales call and it's not a lecture. It's a chance to get honest, expert answers about something that feels a lot heavier when you're facing it by yourself.
When you're behind on payments, the hardest part is often not knowing what to do next. A good conversation changes that — and it can feel like a weight coming off your shoulders. Here's what you get out of it:
The goal is to help you feel confident and informed about your next step (whatever that turns out to be).
Recent research shows just how widespread financial stress and unsecured debt have become.
Debt is a money problem, but it rarely stops there. That's exactly why a real conversation — and real support behind it — can make such a difference.
The conversation is just the beginning. Accredited Debt Relief is built around supporting the whole person — not just the number on the statement — so you feel steadier every step of the way. That commitment is serious enough that the company has a dedicated Chief Financial Wellness Advisor, Dr. Erika Rasure. She puts it simply: Financial wellness isn't just about numbers, it's about making sure every client knows they're not alone.
For enrolled clients, that support keeps going long after the first call. A more affordable monthly payment comes paired with tools designed to help you feel more in control:
You can feel that commitment in the people, too. Every specialist completes a 100+ hour training program developed with AFCPE-certified Accredited Financial Counselors, so clients feel heard, secure and confident as they work toward debt freedom.
And it shows in the results. In a 2025 survey of more than 2,000 Accredited Debt Relief graduates, graduates rated their financial habits a 5.7 out of 10 before enrolling and 8.1 afterward — a 42% jump in habits like budgeting and saving.
Getting started is refreshingly simple, and it all begins with a free consultation. Here's how the program works from there:
1. Free Consultation — You'll talk with an IAPDA-certified debt specialist who reviews your debt, income and monthly obligations. This won't affect your credit score.
2. Personalized Program — Your specialist builds a program around what you can comfortably afford each month, with a target graduation date you can look forward to.
3. One Monthly Deposit — Instead of juggling multiple payments, you make a single deposit into a dedicated account each month.
4. Debt-Free in 24 to 48 Months — Because the program targets your balance, not your interest rate, you can reach the finish line faster and for less.
There are no upfront fees, and fees are success-based.
| Debt Relief Program | Debt Consolidation Loan | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Eligible balances are rolled into one lower monthly payment | New loan pays off existing debts; you repay the loan over time |
| Credit check required? | No — checking your options doesn't affect your credit | Yes — approval and rate depend on your credit |
| Reduces what you owe? | Yes — your total debt owed is reduced | No — you owe the full loan amount plus interest |
| Typical timeline | 24 to 48 months | 4 to 84 months, depending on the loan |
| Average monthly savings | $480 a month on average on eligible enrolled debts | Varies by rate and term |
| Minimum to start | $5,000 in unsecured debt | Lender-dependent |
| Best for | People whose minimum payments are already unaffordable | People with strong credit who can comfortably afford the new payment |
The program works best for people with significant unsecured debts, like credit card, personal loan and medical debts.
The minimum amount of debt required to enroll in the program is $5,000, and Accredited Debt Relief can evaluate people in all 50 states.
Accredited Debt Relief has been helping people work toward becoming debt-free since 2011, with award-winning customer care at the heart of it all. The company has helped more than 1.3 million clients and resolved more than $15 billion in debt, according to Accredited Debt Relief, backed by an A+ rating — the highest available — with the Better Business Bureau.
The reviews tell the same story. Accredited Debt Relief reports more than 68,000 five-star reviews across platforms, with 86% of all reviews earning five stars and a client satisfaction score above 90%. That includes a 4.8-star rating on Trustpilot from more than 10,000 client reviews.
What really sets Accredited Debt Relief apart is the warmth behind the help. The team recently earned two 2026 Gold Stevie Awards, including Customer Service Department of the Year for the second straight year, plus Best in Biz honors, Business Intelligence Group recognition and three ConsumerAffairs Buyer's Choice Awards.
Every specialist is IAPDA-certified through the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators, and all staff benefit from guidance by AFC-certified trainers. Accredited Debt Relief is also an accredited member of the Association for Consumer Debt Relief (ACDR).
Independent reviewers point to the same strengths. Accredited Debt Relief has been named Best for Customer Satisfaction by CBS News and Bankrate, the People's Choice for best debt relief company by Forbes Advisor and Best for Personalized Debt Relief by U.S. News.
But the part that matters most is how people feel when they cross the finish line. In that 2025 survey of more than 2,000 graduates, 92% said their program payments were affordable — and many described feeling more in control of their money than they had in years.
Honestly, almost anyone who feels stuck can benefit from talking it through — and it's especially worth it if your minimum payments have started to feel out of reach. During your free consultation, an Accredited Debt Relief certified debt specialist will review your debt, income and monthly obligations and give you a personalized savings estimate. The conversation is free, judgment-free and won't affect your credit score.
And here's the best part: You don't need to have anything figured out before you reach out. Figuring it out together is exactly what the conversation is for.
Common questions about debt counseling and what to expect — answered directly and without jargon.
What Is Debt Counseling?
Debt counseling is talking through your debt with someone who knows it well and can help you find a clear way forward. At Accredited Debt Relief, it's a free, judgment-free conversation with a certified debt specialist who looks at your debt, income and monthly obligations and walks you through your options. Checking your options doesn't affect your credit score.
How Much Does a Debt Counseling Session With Accredited Debt Relief Cost?
Nothing at all. The consultation is free, with no pressure and no obligation, and it doesn't affect your credit score. A specialist reviews your debt, income and monthly obligations and gives you a personalized savings estimate so you can decide what feels right for you.
Will a Free Consultation Affect My Credit Score?
No. Checking your options with Accredited Debt Relief doesn't affect your credit. Your free consultation simply reviews your debt, income and monthly obligations so a specialist can build a program around what you can comfortably afford.
What Kind of Support Do Enrolled Clients Get?
We offer many different ways for clients to get support when they need it — enrolled clients get 1:1 human support from an award-winning U.S.-based Client Success Team, plus financial wellness resources built for the long haul. That includes budgeting tools and tips, resources for the mental side of debt, a private online community and weekly financial wellness sessions led by Certified Financial Therapists.
What Debts Can the Program Help With?
Eligible debts include credit cards, personal loans, medical bills, store credit cards and some private student loans. Mortgages, home equity loans, auto loans, federal student loans, tax debt and any secured debt aren't eligible. The minimum amount of debt required to enroll is $5,000.
How Long Does the Program Take?
Programs typically run 24 to 48 months. Because a debt relief program targets your balance, not your interest rate, eligible people can become debt-free in as little as 24 to 48 months.
What Are My Options After a Debt Counseling Conversation?
You generally have two main paths: a debt relief program or a debt consolidation loan. A debt relief program rolls eligible balances into one lower monthly payment, reduces your total debt owed and doesn't require a credit check to explore. A consolidation loan pays off existing debts with a new loan that requires a credit check and is repaid over time. Accredited Debt Relief can evaluate clients for debt relief or consolidation loan options in the same free session.
Is Accredited Debt Relief Legitimate?
Yes. Accredited Debt Relief has been operating since 2011, holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and has helped more than 1.3 million clients. Its specialists are IAPDA-certified, the company is a member of the Association for Consumer Debt Relief (ACDR) and all staff benefit from guidance by Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC)-certified trainers.
A free debt counseling session with a certified debt specialist won't affect your credit score, comes with no pressure or obligation, and ends with a personalized look at what your monthly payment could be. Available in all 50 states.
Get a Free ConsultationOr call 800-497-1965 · accrediteddebtrelief.com/debt-counseling/
No upfront fees · 100% success-based · Free consultation.
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