Debt Counselors Tips

debt counselors information

How do debt counselors make their money?
Although they advertise free debt counseling, they are a company so they have to make profits but how do they do this? I teach high school business classes and would like a better understanding of how it works.

Whats the deal....mortgage and debt consultant vs debt counselors
Can some explain the true difference they seem the same to me. But I'm no expert.. how do they affect your credit and is it reported negatively on your report... help help help.... Don't wanna make any serious mistakes..

Are there debt counselors that are not for profit, possibly part of govt programs who can help me sort out my?
credit situation? i want to start repaying but i cant even understand what some of the thngs are on my credit report. some i recognize some i dont and i cant tell if it was a debt that was sold to a different collector and then placed on my credit report again or a new account opened by someone who is not me. because some dates show up and i didnt open any new accounts since a certain time and didnt apply for credit, yet someone pulled up my credit report. and i dont recognize the company at all. is there a service like this that can help me better understand what is on my report?